Black Women of Amherst College

Amherst College, the third oldest institution of higher learning in Massachusetts, is a private liberal arts college originally founded to train impoverished young men for the ministry. When the College went coed in the mid-1970s, the first Black female students encountered a campus that was not designed, built or ready for them. Inspired by the book Black Women of Amherst College by the late Mavis C. Campbell, professor emerita of history, this podcast tells a multidimensional story of the Black women of Amherst College — including alumnae, students, faculty and staff — from the first days of the Amherst community through today. We illuminate the accomplishments and wisdom of the Black women of Amherst College and we invite you to listen, share, learn and laugh. This series is a project of Amherst College, in collaboration with WC1 Studios and Zeldavision Media.

Episodes

Welcome to Black Women of Amherst College

October 2, 2022 • 2 mins

When Amherst College went coed in the mid-1970s, the first Black female students encountered a campus that was not designed, built or ready for them. Listen to the multidimensional story of the Black women of Amherst College — including alumnae, students, faculty and staff — from the first days of the Amherst community through today.

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Episode 6: The Next 200 Years of Amherst College

October 2, 2022 • 39 mins

Biddy Martin, president of Amherst from 2011 to 2022, reflects on how the institution is working in earnest to become a more welcoming, equitable and inclusive place for marginalized students, one that tackles uncomfortable truths, celebrates triumphs and fully serves its next generations of Black women. Host: Nichelle S. Carr ’98 In conversation with: Biddy Martin, former president of Amherst College Discussion topics: Race, race...

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Episode 5: Activism @ Amherst

October 2, 2022 • 43 mins

Protest is in the DNA of Amherst College, and Black women have often led the charge to effect change on campus. The 1979 takeover of Converse Hall Thastened the College’s divestment from apartheid-era South Africa; an unlikely protest held in Charles Drew House during the 1990s resulted in improved resources for STEM students; and the Black Lives Matter-inspired Amherst Uprising of 2015 helped seal the fate of “Lord Jeff” Amherst, ...

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Episode 3: Black Alumnae Speak, Part 1

October 2, 2022 • 26 mins

This episode deconstructs stories of vulnerability, challenge, growth and joy from Black women who dared to be their authentic selves at Amherst. Host: Nichelle S. Carr ’98 Guest Co-host: Tene Adero Howard ’01 Discussion topics: Personal reflections on: Culture shock and seeking space for self-expression and joy Amherst College’s beloved but controversial Black freshmen orientation The high cost of authenticity Colorism, cla...

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Episode 2: Song of Sonia Sanchez

October 2, 2022 • 29 mins

Sonia Sanchez, the poet, author, activist and scholar, arrived at Amherst in 1972 to build the Black studies department. Joining the College when it was still all-male, she was the first Black woman faculty member – a pioneer and revered mentor. Though Professor Sanchez voted for coeducation, she left Amherst before the first class of female students matriculated in 1975; her brief time at Amherst was marred by a traumatic event th...

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Episode 4: Black Alumnae Speak, Part 2

October 2, 2022 • 32 mins

This episode features more first-person narratives of self-discovery and self-realization at Amherst College that encompass the competing demands of academics, intersectionality, dating, the Black Student Union (BSU) and the financial aid office. Host: Nichelle S. Carr ’98 Guest Co-host: Tene Adero Howard ’01 Discussion topics: Personal reflections on: Expressions and definitions of Blackness The changing role of the BSU LGBTQIA...

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Episode 1: 200 Years of Amherst College

October 2, 2022 • 31 mins

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Black Women of Amherst College

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}Welcome to Black Women of Amherst College

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}Episode 6: The Next 200 Years of Amherst College

Episode 5: Activism @ Amherst

Episode 3: Black Alumnae Speak, Part 1

Episode 2: Song of Sonia Sanchez

Episode 4: Black Alumnae Speak, Part 2

Episode 1: 200 Years of Amherst College

Popular Podcasts

Welcome to Black Women of Amherst College

Episode 6: The Next 200 Years of Amherst College