DeShara C. Doub

What a lucky day, especially for Social Workers! 💚 Happy World Social Work Day 💚 continue making the world a better place!

For the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, I'm spotlighting HBCUs where stepping onto campus also means stepping into history, including sacred spaces that honor founders and visionary leaders.

Founded in 1904 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Bethune-Cookman University began as the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls and later merged with Cookman Institute to become a college committed to Black education, empowerment, and community service.

Dr. Bethune, an educator, civil rights advocate, and national leader, was a pioneer who tirelessly championed education, women's rights, and racial justice. She founded not only Bethune-Cookman University but also the National Council of Negro Women and served as an adviser to US presidents. She died in 1955 at her home on the university campus (known as The Retreat) and is buried on the grounds, just west of her home. Her gravesite and memorial garden continue to be places of reflection, inspiration, and tribute to her enduring legacy.

Catch the first half of Black History Month posts on my page and join me daily in February as I share powerful opportunities to capture, and honor Black history of the past, present, and future.

As we continue celebrating the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, I'm spotlighting HBCUs where walking the campus also means walking through the stories of unsung heroes and community pillars, including those laid to rest on their grounds.

Founded in 1880 in New Orleans and now one of the largest HBCUs in Louisiana, Southern University was established to provide higher education opportunities for African Americans during the Reconstruction era and beyond. It moved to its Scotlandville site in Baton Rouge in 1914 and has grown into a leading land-grant institution known for excellence in academics, research and service.

One of Southern University's most significant figures is Dr. Joseph Samuel Clark, who served as its first president after the move to Baton Rouge, from 1914 to 1938. Under his leadership, the university expanded access to education, strengthened academic programs, and helped build a foundation for future generations of Black scholars and leaders. Dr. Clark along with his wife Octavia Head Clark and their son Dr. Felton Grandison Clark (who succeeded him as president) are buried on the Southern University campus.

Catch the first half of Black History Month posts on my page and join me daily in February as I share powerful opportunities to capture, and honor Black history of the past, present, and future.

As we celebrate the centennial of Black History Month, I'm spotlighting powerful places on HBCU campuses, spaces that honor unsung heroes and legendary trailblazers who helped shape history.

Tuskegee University Cemetery is a historic burial ground located on the campus of TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY in Tuskegee, Alabama. It serves as the final resting place for some of the institution's most influential leaders, faculty members, and figures connected to the university's legacy. Two notable figures buried at the cemetery are Booker T. Washington & George Washington Carver.

Founded in 1881 by Booker T. Washington, Tuskegee University began as the Tuskegee Normal School for Colored Teachers. Rooted in faith and a belief in practical education, Tuskegee became a beacon of academic excellence, agricultural innovation, and community empowerment. Its mission was shaped by Christian values and a vision to uplift Black Americans through education and opportunity.

Joining Tuskegee in 1896, George Washington Carver developed groundbreaking work in crop rotation, sustainable farming, and hundreds of products using peanuts, sweet potatoes, and other crops.

Catch the first half of Black History Month posts on my page and join me daily in February as I share powerful opportunities to capture, and honor Black history of the past, present, and future.

This month, I'm honoring the incredible legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), institutions that have nurtured generations of Black excellence, leadership, and faith. As part of my scholarship in Black Church Studies, I've been visiting faith-based HBCUs to explore their rich spiritual and academic traditions.

One school that stands out is Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1866, Fisk has a deep religious affiliation with the United Methodist Church, reflecting a long history of faith shaping education. Did you know that Fisk is home to the world-famous Fisk Jubilee Singers, whose music helped preserve and celebrate African American spirituals around the globe?

Catch the first half of Black History Month posts on my page and join me daily in February as I share powerful opportunities to capture, and honor Black history of the past, present, and future.