I'll Find a Way or Make One: A Tribute to Historically Black Colleges and Universities Dwayne Ashley, Juan Williams ISBN: 0060094532 Format: Hardcover, 448pp Price: 35.00
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From Juan Williams, author of Eyes on the Prize, and the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund comes a must-have gift book and definitive resource that explores the historical, social, and cultural importance of America's 107 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). HBCUs have graduated such illustrious leaders as Oprah Winfrey, Thurgood Marshall, Spike Lee, W. E. B. DuBois, Debbie Allen, Alain Locke, Samuel L. Jackson, and Nikki Giovanni. This commemorative illustrated gift book is filled with photographs, historical narrative, personal memoir, archival and contemporary material, and anecdotal and resource information. It is the first of its kind -- a groundbreaking retrospective that explores the dramatic development and history of America's historically black colleges and universities. Stories abound about the abolition of slavery.
However, lesser known are the efforts -- both prior to and after the Civil War -- of African American and white abolitionists banding together to formally educate newly freed slaves. Through the tireless work of government organizations, black churches, missionary groups, and philanthropists, HBCUs were established. The tales of how these schools were created and of the individuals who are linked to the schools' histories are extraordinarily rich -- and sometimes controversial. In an unprecedented salute to America's 107 historically black colleges and universities, I'll Find a Way or Make One chronicles the formation of the black middle class, the history of education in the African American community, and some of the most important events of African Americana and American history.

SYNOPSIS
From Juan Williams, author of Eyes on the Prize, comes a must-have definitive reference and gift book that explores the historical, social and cultural importance of America's 108 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through personal interviews, historical narrative, photographs, and comprehensive reference material.
I'll Find a Way or Make One is a groundbreaking reading book featuring 200 black & white photographs. It explores the dramatic development and history of America's 108 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through photos, historical memoir, anecdotal information, archival and contemporary materials, and personal interviews.

Stories abound about the abolishment of slavery. However, lesser known are the efforts--both prior to and after the Civil War--of African-American and white abolitionists banding together to formerly educate newly freed slaves. In 1861, the 28 known Black graduates went to the island of Port Royal, South Carolina, to take part in this educational experiment. The 18-month program and subsequent article that ran in Atlanta Monthly were instrumental in the government's commitment to educate Blacks after the war. Through the government, tireless work of Black churches, White missionary organizations and philanthropists, HBCUs were established. The tales of how these schools were created and the individuals who are linked to their histories are rich and often controversial These tales are the crux of I'll Find a Way or Make One.

HBCUs have come to be known as the backbone of America's Black middle class. Most importantly, I'll Find a Way or Make One reveals how the social and cultural atmosphere fostered at these institutions ultimately played a major role in shaping African Americana.