The Schools of Former Slaves and the Schools of Former Slave Owners: Religion, Race and the Struggle for Black Education

Black History Month webinar sponsored by the Center for African and  African American Studies (CAAAS) and the Center for Engaged Research and  Collaborative Learning (CERCL) With “the assistance and  encouragement of Negro churches and black education associations, nearly  800 schools for Negroes [were established] forty-five years after  slavery,” according to historian Bobby Lovett. By 1910, 119 of the  schools had become four-year colleges. While Black religion has long  been framed as “protest religion” given African Americans’ quest for  spiritual and physical freedom through the Abolitionist and Civil Rights  Movement, we might more fully understand black religion’s work in  society if we explore its role in the development of black education  institutions. This talk argues for a revised framing of black religion  that understands the quest for education as central to its commitment to  justice.