Lincoln University is announcing the receipt of a transformative $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation, aimed at launching an interdisciplinary initiative focused on Black Freedom Movements. This significant funding will allow the university to enhance faculty recruitment, expand student engagement opportunities, and preserve its extensive archival resources connected to the history of Black Freedom Movement Studies.
This initiative is set to provide students with the tools and knowledge to study, engage, and actively participate in Black Freedom Movements, building on Lincoln’s long-standing legacy of leadership and activism. The program is a direct response to a recent call to action by Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II, who was awarded an honorary doctorate from Lincoln in February 2024. In his address, Rev. Barber urged the community to “know history, face history, and make history.” His message resonates with the courage displayed by Lincoln’s “Freedom Fourteen,” a group of students who marched 66 miles to the State Capitol last year, advocating for essential funding for the university. The new initiative not only honors this legacy of activism but also empowers current students to pursue justice and create social change.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to teaching history and actively engaging students in making it,” said Dr. Brenda A. Allen, president of Lincoln University. By broadening our interdisciplinary approach and providing hands-on opportunities, we’re preparing the next generation of leaders to continue the fight for justice.”
The generous Mellon grant will facilitate the recruitment of two new faculty members specializing in Black Freedom Movements, with a focus on African American art, music, and literature. These new hires will enrich Lincoln’s academic offerings, deepening students’ insights into Black history, culture, and activism. New courses will include a fall seminar on Black Freedom Movements and focused spring seminars that will explore significant historical movements, including abolitionism and protest music. Additionally, a Visiting Scholars Program will invite leading experts to share their knowledge and experience.
Student engagement is a cornerstone of this initiative, featuring paid internships with organizations such as the Equal Justice Initiative and the Southern Poverty Law Center. Furthermore, annual heritage tours will expose students to important sites, including the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, providing immersive learning experiences connecting them to ongoing racial justice struggles.
To celebrate contemporary leaders in Black Freedom Movements, the initiative will also establish the Lincoln Freedom Award. Recipients will deliver lectures aimed at inspiring and educating students about the importance of their work.
Moreover, the grant will fund the restoration and preservation of Lincoln’s archival materials, which document the university’s historical role in Black activism.