Opportunities to learn more about Charlayne Hunter-Gault and UGA’s desegregation
One of the college’s most distinguished graduates, Charlayne Hunter-Gault (ABJ ’63), is well known for desegregating the University of Georgia along with Hamilton Holmes. It’s an incredible story of sacrifice, courage and determination, but how much of the story do students know?
There are several opportunities to learn more about the journey of Hunter-Gault and Holmes through events associated with the 60th Anniversary of Desegregation.
Here are a few events to learn more about Hunter-Gault and her remarkable life:
Campus Read book discussion: “An Education in Georgia: Charlayne Hunter, Hamilton Holmes, and the Integration of the University of Georgia,” by Calvin Trillin
Discussions Feb. 4 and 25
Grady is a co-sponsor of a Campus Read event coordinated by UGA Press featuring the book, “An Education in Georgia: Charlayne Hunter, Hamilton Holmes, and the Integration of the University of Georgia.”
There will be a Zoom discussion Feb. 4 at 4 p.m. with the author, noted New Yorker journalist Calvin Trillin; Charlayne Hunter-Gault; and Valerie Boyd, who will moderate the discussion. There is a follow-up conversation Feb. 25 featuring Mary Frances Early.
Our college received 25 copies of the book to distribute free to students and they are available to pick up in the Dean’s Suite on a first come, first served basis. The book can also be purchased at discount or read free on an electronic reader and details can be read here.
Register for the Feb. 4 event with Calvin Trillin, Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Valerie Boyd.
Register for the Feb. 25 event with Mary Frances Early, Phaidra Buchanan and Cynthia Dillard.
Between the Pages book discussion: “In My Place,” by Charlayne Hunter-Gault
Discussion March 23
In conjunction with the Between the Pages book club hosted by the UGA Alumni Association, there will be a virtual book discussion with Hunter-Gault on March 23. The Student Alumni Council will work to distribute 500 free copies of the book in early February. These books will be made available through private funds from the Georgia Athletic Association earmarked for recommendations from the Presidential Task Force on Race, Ethnicity, and Community.
Register for March 23 event with Charlayne Hunter-Gault here.
Exhibition: “Georgia Trailblazers: Honoring the 60th Anniversary of Desegregation at UGA”
Location: Main Library, First Floor
The exhibit includes images, documents and other items from this significant time period. Designed in collaboration with Hunter-Gault and the Holmes family, the exhibit includes items from the Special Collections Libraries as well as items borrowed from the Holmes family, such as the fraternity sweater that Holmes was wearing in photographs taken when he first received notice of his admission to the university. The exhibit will be on display throughout 2021.
Exhibition: “Making Space: Fighting for Inclusion, Building Community at UGA”
Location: Richard B. Russell Special Collections Libraries, Hargrett Library Gallery
“Making Space: Fighting for Inclusion, Building Community at UGA” explores the stories of these trailblazing students and those that followed them in shaping the campus.
The exhibit considers the ways that Black and LGBTQ+ students have cultivated spaces for themselves at UGA since the 1960s, finding agency and building safe spaces. It will highlight their activities – how they gathered, lobbied, and protested for acceptance and change. It will consider the people and places that offered support to these students, as well as those that put up barriers to block the path forward. The exhibit will be on display until July 2, 2021.
Please visit the 60th Anniversary of Desegregation website for a complete list of events.
Date: January 15, 2021
Author: Sarah Freeman, freemans@uga.edu