On October 17, 1969, fourteen Black University of Wyoming (UW) football players were
dismissed from the University of Wyoming football team for wanting to ask the question
if they could stand up against racial injustice together. They became known as the
Black 14. Nearly 50 years later, the University of Wyoming issued an official apology
to them. Their story has appeared in numerous Wyoming media outlets, the Washington
Post, CNN, the New York Times and various other national websites/newspapers/radio
stations/TV stations including international publications in Johannesburg, South Africa;
Namibia, Africa; London, and India. I am very happy with the Office of Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion’s role in helping make this happen. The most recent article
about them appeared Saturday, November 30, 2019 in the Washington Post.
On Giving Day, we ask that you help continue their legacy by contributing to an endowment
to honor the Black 14’s promotion of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice
by creating a pipeline program for Black students to attend the University of Wyoming.
Giving starts December 3, 2019 at midnight. Give early and your contribution could
be eligible for doubling. As funds are available, $25 becomes $50 and a $50 contribution
becomes $100. Visit the link to make your donation. Thank you!
More about the Black 14 Social Justice Summer Institute:
The Black 14 Social Justice Summer Institute is a multi-day overnight program that
provides Black high school students with the opportunity to research contemporary
issues related to and important to the Black community at the local, state, national,
and world-wide levels. At the same time, the institute strives to have a positive
impact on the college completion rate of Black students. The six-year college completion
rate for Black students is 38 percent when nationally 54.8 percent of all college
students complete college within six years. The Black 14 Social Justice Summer Institute
will introduce Black high school students to curricular and co-curricular engagement
opportunities along with UW mentoring and support while they are still enrolled in
high school.
The Black 14 Social Justice Summer Institute utilizes the history of the Black 14
as an entry point for students to learn about social justice, resistance to social
injustice, and oppression. Participants will enhance their knowledge of social justice,
leadership, teamwork, and communication skills that facilitate positive change, while
exposing them to the experiences of living, researching, and studying at the University
of Wyoming. The students will also be introduced to persistence strategies for successful
attainment of their college degrees and personal resilience for lifelong success.
Participants will live in the residence halls and dine on campus. Information provided
will give support for admissions, registration, and financing a college education,
while experiencing the unique culture and natural environment of Wyoming. This initiative
is being led by members of the Black 14, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,
and the Social Justice Research Center in collaboration with the broader UW campus
community.
