Leaving A Legacy

Frank B. Wilderson III
Frank Wilderson III, a member of Dartmouth College's Class of 1978, is a renowned scholar, activist, and writer, widely recognized for his pioneering work in Afro-pessimism. His research and writings examine the enduring structures of anti-Blackness, exploring how slavery and racial oppression shape social, political, and cultural life in the United States. Wilderson has authored influential books and essays that challenge conventional understandings of race, justice, and social inclusion, bridging rigorous academic scholarship with activist thought. Throughout his career, he has been a leading voice in African American studies, inspiring critical dialogue on systemic racism, Black life, and resistance, and shaping generations of students, scholars, and activists alike.

 

Lorna C Hill
Lorna C. Hill, Dartmouth College Class of 1973, is celebrated as the first Black woman to graduate from Dartmouth, a historic milestone that opened doors for future generations of Black students. During her time at Dartmouth, Hill was deeply involved in the arts, participating in campus theater productions and creative initiatives. After college, she founded Ujima Company, Inc., serving as its Artistic Director and creating a platform for Black artistic expression and community engagement. Hill's pioneering achievements in both academics and the arts continue to inspire students and alumni, demonstrating the power of breaking barriers while shaping cultural and creative spaces for underrepresented communities.

 

John A. Shelburne
John A. Shelburne, Dartmouth College Class of 1919, was a trailblazing athlete, community leader, and advocate for Black youth. An All-American football player at Dartmouth, Shelburne went on to play in the early years of the NFL, breaking barriers for Black athletes in professional football. Beyond sports, he dedicated much of his life to mentoring and supporting young people in Boston, using his platform to promote education, leadership, and opportunity within the Black community. Shelburne's legacy as both a pioneering athlete and a committed advocate reflects the enduring impact of Dartmouth alumni in sports, civic engagement, and social empowerment.

 

Fritz Winfred Alexander II
Fritz Winfred Alexander II, Dartmouth College Class of 1947, was a pioneering jurist and leader in the Black Dartmouth alumni community. He became the first Black judge on the New York Court of Appeals, breaking significant racial barriers in the legal profession, and later served as the first president of the Black Alumni of Dartmouth Association, helping to build a supportive network for Black graduates. Alexander's career combined excellence in law with dedication to community, mentorship, and advocacy, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire both Dartmouth alumni and the broader legal and civic communities.

 

Annette Gordon-Reed
Annette Gordon-Reed, Dartmouth College Class of 1981, is a Pulitzer Prize–winning historian and scholar whose groundbreaking work has reshaped the study of Thomas Jefferson, Sally Hemings, and race in American history. Her meticulous research challenges conventional narratives, bringing new insight into the intersections of slavery, family, and power. Gordon-Reed's scholarship has earned widespread recognition for its rigor and impact, influencing both academic discourse and public understanding of America's racial past. As a Dartmouth alumna, she represents a legacy of intellectual excellence and transformative contributions to the study of African American history.

 

 

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Odette Harris
Odette Harris, Dartmouth College Class of 1991, is a pioneering neurosurgeon and researcher specializing in traumatic brain injury and spinal-cord care, and one of the first Black women to hold a tenured professorship in neurosurgery in the U.S. Ric Lewis, Dartmouth Class of 1984, is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, founder of Tristan Capital Partners and the Black Heart Foundation, which provides scholarships to underprivileged youth. Both have leveraged their Dartmouth education to break barriers, achieve excellence, and uplift communities through leadership, mentorship, and social impact.

 

John Wesley Cromwell Jr
John Wesley Cromwell Jr., Dartmouth College Class of 1906, was a pioneering accountant, educator, and leader in the African American community. He became the first Black certified public accountant (CPA) in the United States, breaking barriers in a profession that had long excluded Black professionals. Beyond accounting, Cromwell Jr. dedicated his career to education and mentorship, teaching mathematics and languages and supporting institutions that served Black communities. His achievements exemplify leadership, perseverance, and a commitment to creating opportunities for others, leaving a lasting legacy in both the fields of accounting and education.

 

 

Samantha Knowles
Samantha Knowles is an award-winning filmmaker and documentary director whose work centers on race, identity, social justice, and representation. She began her career with the short documentary Why Do You Have Black Dolls?, exploring the cultural and emotional significance of Black dolls, which screened at multiple festivals. Since then, she has directed and produced acclaimed projects including Black and Missing (HBO), which earned a Cinema Eye Honors Award, NAACP Image Award, Gracie Award, Television Academy Honors Award, Independent Spirit Award, and AAFCA TV Award; How We Get Free (HBO), shortlisted for the 2024 Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film; and Harlem Ice (Disney+), highlighting a figure-skating program for girls of color. Her films, which have appeared on major platforms such as HBO, Disney+, and The New York Times Op-Doc, merge storytelling with activism, centering Black voices and addressing systemic injustice. Knowles's work exemplifies the power of documentary filmmaking to amplify marginalized communities and bring underrepresented stories to a wide audience.

 

Maya Wiley
Maya Wiley, Dartmouth College Class of 1986, is a civil rights attorney, activist, and public policy expert known for her dedication to social justice and equity. She has served as counsel to the Mayor of New York City, led initiatives on civil rights and racial justice, and ran for Mayor of New York City, advocating for systemic reform and inclusive governance. Wiley is also an accomplished legal scholar and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., combining professional expertise with community engagement. Her career reflects a commitment to addressing structural inequality, advancing civil rights, and empowering marginalized communities, making her a prominent figure in both law and public service.

 

Ernest Everett Just 
Ernest Everett Just (1883–1941) was a pioneering African American biologist, educator, and researcher whose work transformed the study of cell biology and fertilization. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Just graduated from Dartmouth College in 1907, where he excelled academically despite the racial barriers of the era. He went on to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and conducted groundbreaking research on cell surface structures, fertilization, and early embryonic development, earning international recognition for his meticulous experiments. Just held faculty positions at Howard University and the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, Massachusetts, mentoring countless students and advocating for scientific rigor and inclusion in research. His contributions to biology, particularly in understanding the role of the cell surface in development, remain highly influential, and he is celebrated as one of the first African Americans to achieve worldwide recognition in the natural sciences.

 

Forrester (Woody) Lee
Forrester "Woody" Lee, Dartmouth College Class of 1968, is a distinguished physician, historian, and curator dedicated to both medical excellence and preserving Black history. After Dartmouth, he earned his medical degree from Yale School of Medicine and became a leading cardiologist, serving as Professor of Medicine, Medical Director of Yale‑New Haven's Cardiac Transplantation and Heart Failure Program, and Associate Dean of the Office of Multicultural Affairs. In parallel, Lee has made significant contributions to documenting and celebrating Black Dartmouth history. He co-authored A Noble and Independent Course: The Life of the Reverend Edward Mitchell, chronicling the life of Dartmouth's first Black graduate, and curated the Blacks @ Dartmouth history exhibit, creating a platform to highlight the stories and achievements of Black alumni. Through his dual legacy in medicine and historical scholarship, Lee exemplifies leadership, mentorship, and a commitment to community, education, and representation.

 

 

Laurel J. Richie
Laurel J. Richie, Dartmouth College Class of 1981, is a trailblazing leader in marketing, sports, and corporate governance. She served as President of the WNBA, becoming the first African American to lead a major U.S. professional sports league, and previously held senior roles at Ogilvy & Mather and the Girl Scouts of the USA. Richie has also served on multiple corporate boards and as Chair of Dartmouth's Board of Trustees, advancing growth, equity, and representation across organizations.

 

Cheryl Bascomb
Cheryl Bascomb, Dartmouth College Class of 1982, is a psychologist, former marketing and business professional, and a longtime leader in alumni relations. Before returning to Dartmouth, she built a career spanning more than three decades in marketing, business development, and consulting, working with firms including L.L. Bean and Unum Life Insurance. At Dartmouth, she served as Vice President for Alumni Relations, overseeing global alumni engagement, programming, communications, and volunteer leadership, while supporting affinity-based groups including alumni of color, LGBTQIA+ alumni, and women alumni. Bascomb has also been a student-athlete, playing women's rugby and captaining the track and cross-country teams, exemplifying leadership, resilience, and commitment to community. Through her career, she has strengthened Dartmouth's alumni networks, expanded outreach and inclusion, and left a lasting impact on both institutional engagement and support for underrepresented communities.

 

Adrienne "Tee" Lotson
Adrienne "Tee" Lotson, Dartmouth College Class of 1982, is a lawyer, former sports administrator, and civic leader. She has served as an administrative law judge in New York, worked with the NCAA and the Atlanta Olympic Games, and was the first African American woman to serve as President of the Dartmouth Alumni Council. Lotson has also been a leader in the Black Alumni of Dartmouth Association, helping strengthen alumni networks and fostering community engagement.

 

Echo Brown
Echo Brown (1984–2023) was a Dartmouth College graduate, author, and performer whose work explored race, identity, trauma, and the experiences of first-generation college students. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, she overcame poverty and personal hardship to become valedictorian of her high school class before attending Dartmouth, where her experiences helped shape her creative voice. Brown gained recognition with her one-woman show Black Virgins Are Not for Hipsters and went on to publish acclaimed young-adult novels, including Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard and The Chosen One: A First-Generation Ivy League Odyssey, blending autobiography, magical realism, and social commentary. Her work consistently amplified marginalized voices and highlighted the resilience of Black women, leaving a lasting impact on literature, performance, and the communities she inspired.

 

Margaret Wilkerson Sexton
Margaret Wilkerson Sexton, Dartmouth College alumna, is an acclaimed author whose work explores race, history, family, and resilience in Black communities. Her debut novel, A Kind of Freedom, traces three generations of a Black New Orleans family, was long-listed for the National Book Award, and named one of The New York Times' "100 Notable Books." Her follow-up novel, The Revisioners, received critical acclaim, including an NAACP Image Award, further cementing her reputation for insightful storytelling. Known for her lyrical prose, richly drawn characters, and nuanced exploration of social and generational themes, Sexton continues to illuminate the complexities of Black life, history, and community in contemporary literature.