Civic Knowledge Project

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The Civic Knowledge Project on Diversity and the University of Chicago: History, Philosophy, and Critique

This page features background information on special CKP collaborative events and research bearing on diversity issues relating to the history of the University of Chicago. The CKP is continuing the work that led to the pathbreaking exhibition curated by CKP founder Danielle Allen, "Integrating the Life of the Mind: A History of African Americans at the University of Chicago." The first featured event in this series was "The Life and Legacy of Dr. Julian Herman Lewis," held on February 21st, 2015, from 2-4 pm at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts Performance Hall, 915 E. 60th St., Chicago. For more information on that, please scroll down to the bottom of this page.

More recently, the CKP worked in close collaboration with our longtime collaborator Prof. Timuel D. Black, himself a graduate of UChicago, to bring out his memoir, Sacred Ground: The Chicago Streets of Timuel Black-- see http://www.nupress.northwestern.edu/content/sacred-ground. This work, which includes details of Prof. Black's work with the CKP, in many ways captures the most important aspects of the CKP's legacy, and it is being featured in most of the CKP's programs, including the Winning Words precollege philosophy program. For some insightful reviews of this historic work, please see:

"The Life and Legacy of Dr. Julian Herman Lewis" marks very special presentation on and discussion of the remarkable life and legacy of medical pioneer Dr. Julian H. Lewis, M.D /PhD, author of The Biology of the Negro (1942) and the first African-American to earn a PhD in Physiology/Pathology, at the University of Chicago (1915). Dr. Lewis achieved many firsts, such as becoming the first African-American to teach at the University of Chicago (1917). He mentored generations of students of color, and was an influential public intellectual whose work was cited by Gunnar Myrdal in An American Dilemma, a work that in turn was cited in the landmark Brown v. the Board of Education decision calling for the integration of public schools. Scholars Robert Branch II, Tyrone Haymore, Dr. Christopher Crenner, and others will introduce a wealth of important information about Dr. Lewis and his work at the University of Chicago and Provident Hospital, work that impacted the nation and revolutionized science around the world. Sponsored by the Robbins Historical Society and Museum, and co-sponsored by the UChicago Civic Knowledge Project, Office of Campus and Student Life, the Theta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the University of Chicago Association of Black Alumni (UCABA).

The Sun-Times features the Civic Knowledge Project's historic event, The Life and Legacy of Dr. Julian Herman Lewis

Tyrone Haymore, John O. Lewis, and Bart Schultz featured on WBEZ's Morning Shift discussing The Life and Legacy of Dr. Julian Herman Lewis

Watch the Videos here:


The Life and Legacy of Dr. Julian H. Lewis

02:07:01

The Prof. Timuel D. Black Bridges of Memory Distinguished Guest Lecture and Jazz Concert

01:20:11

READ ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

View Our Invitation