Each February, the nation and the American Red Cross celebrate Black History Month. All this month here on the Red Cross Philly blog we honor our Black colleagues that are part of our local Red Cross team. We invited them to be guest bloggers to share their thoughts and stories as proud Red Crossers that make up our diverse team here in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Please note, the views expressed in this blog post are of the author and not necessarily those of the American Red Cross. To learn more about Diversity and Inclusion values at the Red Cross, please visit https://www.redcross.org/about-us/who-we-are/governance/corporate-diversity.html.

Today’s blog is written by Andree Baylor-Lloyd, Director of Fixed Site Collections, American Red Cross

As a Black Leader in my current role of Director of Fixed Sites of the Northeast division, I have learned through my interactions with co-workers, donors, and volunteers that each has a unique story. In those stories, you get to know so much beyond the person’s role. These stories, small and great, have shaped our workforce. It allows interaction between individuals that bring value into our culture and the opportunity to experience our uniqueness.  

Black History Month’s importance resides in the greatness of the people who have made this history so rich through their achievements. Black History continues to develop in the lives as our ancestors’ stories and should not be forgotten.  There are so many areas of excellence, but what resonates with me is the culture of storytelling. From generation to generation, black people have been inspired through a message of hope, love, and perseverance. These stories allow the new generation to dream and be hopeful of a bright future.

Black history reminds us of courageous folks like those of the Underground Railroad. The historic moments like the famous “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Kamala Harris, the first Black and Asian American Vice President of the United States.  But these are only a few of the significant and important events to know and remember.

To honor this extensive and growing history, Black History Month was established by way of a weekly celebration in February known as “Negro History Week” by historian Carter G. Woodson. But just as Black History is more than a month, so are the numerous stories and figures often overlooked during it.

The diverse history of Historically Black Colleges and universities

While Jewish and African American communities have a tumultuous shared history when it comes to the pursuit of civil rights, there is a chapter that is often overlooked. In the 1930s, when Jewish academics from Germany and Austria were dismissed from their teaching positions, many came to the United States looking for jobs. Due to the Depression, xenophobia, and rising anti-Semitism, many found it difficult to find work, but more than 50 found positions at HBCUs (Historic Black Colleges and Universities) in the segregated South.

Originally established to educate freed slaves to read and write, the first of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities was Cheyney University in Pennsylvania, established in 1837. By the time Jewish professors arrived, the number of HBCUs had grown to 78. At a time when both Jews and African Americans were persecuted, Jewish professors in the Black colleges found the environment comfortable and accepting, often creating special programs to provide opportunities to engage blacks and whites in meaningful conversation, often for the first time.

In the years that followed, the interests of Jewish and African American communities increasingly diverged, but this once-shared experience of discrimination and interracial cooperation remains a key part of the Civil Rights Movement.

Main image description: Photo of Andree Baylor-Lloyd