Centering Black Classicists Exhibit Reception

On Friday, January 17th, we held a kick-off reception for the 14 Black Classicists exhibit currently on display in the ZSR Ammons Gallery.  This exhibit is a photographic portrait series featuring Black scholars, teachers, and leaders in the field of Classics whose forgotten histories have been recovered by the archival research of Professor Michele Valerie Ronnick.  The exhibit also features a new, painted portrait of Helen Maria Chestnutt by local artist Leo Rucker, which was unveiled during the reception. Classics Beyond Whiteness organizers Caitlin Hines, Teacher Scholar Postdoctoral Fellow in Classics, and T. H. M. Gellar-Goad, Associate Professor in Classics, introduced the guest speakers for the reception, which included Eric Ashley Hairston, Associate Dean for Academic Advising, University Associate Professor, Interdisciplinary Humanities, Mellie Mesfin, Student Government President, Miles Middleton, Speaker of the House, and Leo Rucker, Local Artist. Check out the exhibit in the ZSR Ammons Gallery!  (Click on each photo below to make it bigger.)