With the touch of a screen, visitors can explore a timeline of Black history, activism, and life at UNM.
UNM’s African American Student Services (AASS) collaborated with the UNM Communications and Marketing Department Web team to bring a new project to life.
The UNM Newsroom posted the story on their front page. Brandi Stone, director of AASS, was looking for new ways to build Black students’ knowledge of their history at the university. She was inspired by visits to museums in Alabama. After seeing touchscreen timelines in those museums, she thought that would be a great thing to have at UNM. She, senior student success specialist J Gourdin, who’s also an NMBLC board member, and others teamed up with UNM’s web team to make it all happen. The web team said they had never worked on a touchscreen timeline like this, and were up for the challenge.
Photo courtesy of Brandi Stone, Director, African American Student Services
J Gourdin pointed out that the first milestone on the touchscreen is the founding of UNM in 1881. After that, the first Black history event is 40 years later. In 1921, UNM began accepting admission from all qualified students, regardless of race.
“Having our history easily accessible on our wall allows Black students to understand the legacy of excellence on this campus and the shoulders they are standing on.”
— Brandi Stone, director of African American Student Services at UNM. Source: UNM Newsroom.
The Black history touchscreen timeline is an ongoing project. Student leaders continue to collect and update the information. The Black History at UNM touchscreen is located in the main area of the AASS offices in Mesa Vista Hall. Students, alumni, and the community are encouraged to visit.
Read more about the Black History at UNM project at the UNM Newsroom: https://news.unm.edu/news/new-project-reveals-black-history-at-unm
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Shannon Moreau is the Editor of the NMBLC EQ Blog