Black History at Baruch
Celebrating 50 Years of BLS @Baruch + Open House February 18, 2021
Black and Latino Studies (BLS) Department History and Accomplishments
- The BLS department began as the Black and Hispanic Program soon after Baruch became a senior college in 1969, (Ticker, February 25, 1969, pp. 1 and 5).
- Harrison Tucker (former ambassador from Sierra Leone to the USSR) as chairman of the new Black and Hispanic Studies Program in 1970.
- The department faced closure in 1976.
- BLS offers three minors: Black Studies, Latino Studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies.
- The BLS department consists of 3 full time Associate Professors: Dr. Regina Bernard, Dr. Arthur Lewin, and Dr. Tshombe Miles.
- Dr. Shelly Eversley (English Department) became Interim Chair of the BLS Department in January 2020, and she was charged to establish relationships across departments; update the curriculum; and work to establish a new major.
Since January 2020, BLS is quickly becoming a destination for interdisciplinary Black, Latinx, Latin American, and Caribbean Studies. Open House on February 25 @1PM will announce plans for the new BLS major, celebrate 50 years of BLS @Baruch, and invite students to explore post-graduate careers inspired by study in the department, such as:
- BLS recruited more than 20 affiliated faculty whose cross-listed courses and engagements expand the strength and depth of BLS course offerings and options.
- Hired two additional full time Substitute Lecturers (Dr. Karanja Carroll and Dr. Rojo Robles) who just received VRB approval for permanent positions (Fall 2021)
- Established two BLS Scholar Awards (will pursue funds for annual support)
- Established a Black Studies Colloquium (BSC), an interdisciplinary community of scholars
- Created a digital community page for students, faculty, and staff https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/blackandlatinostudies/
- Developed a collaborative relationship with ISLA, the Initiative for the Study of Latin America (directed by Dr. Stephanie Golob).
- Designed a new BLS major that will begin the review and approval process in Spring 2021.
- The new major will feature a 5000-level capstone “fieldwork” course that will focus on research or community engagement projects to create opportunities for students to develop experience appropriate for careers and for graduate study. (On track pursue funds for development)