Editor's note: As the headquarters of the National Council on Black Studies, the University of Delaware is leading a national effort to expand the NCBS Honor Society to include university chapters. NCBS Executive Director and her UD professor, Alicia Fontnett, led the effort with an initial group of 10 Blue Hen undergraduates. “As we continue to grow, I'm excited that UD will be pioneering the many initiatives of our chapters around the world, from community service projects to research opportunities,” Fontenette said.
Students were selected for African Studies, community service, and academic rigor (all must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA). The Q&A below is part of a larger series focused on these charter members.
Wes Colley came to UD to study sports management. But the double major in business administration and sports management also included a minor in African studies after taking a class on race from professor Brandon Stanford.
“I have mentioned this many times to my Stanford professor, and he is one of the main reasons I decided to declare African Studies as a minor,” Colley said.
Here, Cory details her experiences as a student and NCBS Honor Society member.
How did you learn about Africana Studies?
I transferred from a predominantly African-American middle school to a predominantly white high school. With this in mind, I did everything I could to continue learning about my culture and history like I did in middle school.
In my third year, I was allowed to choose an elective subject in my English class, and I chose “African Diaspora,” which sparked my interest in African studies. I continued to take courses centered around Africa, the African Diaspora, and Black Studies. The same teacher, Dr. Nick Matlin, taught most of these classes, so we quickly formed a bond both in and out of the classroom. After graduating from high school, I had lunch with Dr. Matlin. He then told me that he could see that I had a genuine interest in this field of study and that I should strongly consider taking some courses in African Studies while in college. .
What is your favorite class?
I enrolled in Professor Brandon Stanford's “White Wages Course,” and I can truly say that this course changed my life and perspective. This is an eye-opening course that explains how groups such as Germans, Italians, and Irish people “became white” in the American landscape.
What was the most surprising or interesting thing you learned?
Racism is embedded in some form in everything within American society and infrastructure, from schools to housing to employment to highways to landfills and more.
What do you wish more people knew?
Africana Studies is much deeper than Black Studies. Rather, it is a study that brings together Black people, culture, history, experience, and more into his one remarkable area of focus.
Why did you want to join the NCBS Honor Society?
When I was approached about joining the NCBS Honor Society, I considered it an invaluable opportunity and honor. Without thinking or making a decision, I immediately knew that I would accept her invitation to join NCBS Chapter 1 at the University of Delaware.
What are your plans after graduation?
I hope that future internships will shed some light on this point. As a sports management major, my dream is to work in the front office of the Philadelphia Eagles or in the creative or production department of WWE.
