Student Historian

Monica Joe received her Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree with a concentration in Urban Anthropology at the Soka University of America in May of 2013. She is currently pursuing a Master of Urban Planning degree at the University of Washington. Her specialization within the planning field is historic preservation, with a particular focus on social equity and its relation to urban planning.

Elizabeth Evelyn Wright (1872-1906)

College founder Elizabeth Evelyn Wright was born on August 18, 1872 into a large family near Talbotton, Georgia. Her parents were Virginia Rolfe, a full-blooded Cherokee, and Wesley Wright, an African American carpenter. Both Elizabeth’s parents were former slaves. Elizabeth was raised, however, by her … Read MoreElizabeth Evelyn Wright (1872-1906)

Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church (1890- )

(Photo Courtesy of Tricia Simpson) The Trinity African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church is the oldest continuously operating black church in Utah.  Trinity AME was organized in 1890 by Rev. T. Saunders when Salt Lake City was the capital of Utah Territory.  The early date of … Read MoreTrinity African Methodist Episcopal Church (1890- )

The Houston Negro Hospital-Riverside General Hospital (1926- )

Houston Negro Hospital, 2010 “Image Ownership: Ed Uthman” The Houston Negro Hospital was created in 1926 when the earlier black Union-Jeramiah Hospital was no longer capable of accommodating the rapidly growing black population of Houston, Texas. African American community leaders began a campaign to garner … Read MoreThe Houston Negro Hospital-Riverside General Hospital (1926- )

Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church, Cincinnati, Ohio (1824 – )

Early 19th Century African American Methodists in Cincinnati, Ohio initially worshipped at the local Methodist Episcopal churches, but were treated in a discriminatory manner. In response to this treatment Rev. James King and Rev. Phillip Brodie, after contacting leaders of the new AME Church denomination … Read MoreAllen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church, Cincinnati, Ohio (1824 – )

St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church, Omaha, Nebraska (1865- )

The St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church (“St. John’s AME”) was first organized in 1865 in North Omaha, Nebraska Territory, with an initial membership of five people. Two years later, at about the time Nebraska was admitted to statehood, the congregation built its first church.  … Read MoreSt. John African Methodist Episcopal Church, Omaha, Nebraska (1865- )

Faith Congregational Church [Hartford] (1819- )

The Faith Congregational Church in Hartford, Connecticut began in 1819 as a place for African Americans to worship on their own since they were previously only able to worship in the backs of churches and in church galleries in that city. A group of African … Read MoreFaith Congregational Church [Hartford] (1819- )

Congdon Street Baptist Church (1819- )

“Image Ownership: Kenneth C. Zirkel (CC BY-SA 3.0)” Congdon Street Baptist Church is the oldest African American church in Rhode Island. The church, located on College Hill, sprang from the effort of the black community in the city to provide a place for people of … Read MoreCongdon Street Baptist Church (1819- )