Honor the Legacy of Dr. Maryemma Graham

To recognize Dr. Maryemma Graham’s 41-year teaching and research career, her commitment to her students, her recruitment and mentoring of faculty, her contributions to the fields of literary studies and digital humanities, and her vision for her beloved Project on the History of Black Writing (HBW), we invite you to join us in supporting the work of students employed by HBW.  Named in honor of Marona Amandla Graham-Bailey, Dr. Graham’s late daughter, and a graduate student at the time of her passing, The Amandla Excellence Fund will support all facets of student professional development. 

After a brief stint at Chicago State University, Dr. Graham founded HBW at the University of Mississippi in 1983 as an extension of her own professional commitment to:

• literary recovery work in Black studies;
• book history and digital humanities;
• professional development and curriculum enhancement; and 
• public literacy.

In 1989, Dr. Graham and HBW moved to Northeastern University in Boston before finally finding their long-time home at the University of Kansas in 1999.  A University Distinguished Professor, Dr. Graham has been celebrated at KU for her innovative teaching and research as well as her mentorship, advocacy, recruitment and development of both her students and fellow colleagues.

A leader in research and inclusion efforts, HBW has been student-driven from its inception. Thus, HBW consists of a team of students working alongside faculty to build skills for their future professions inside and outside of the academy.  Students are involved at every level, from grad students creating public literacy initiatives to undergrads conducting research on forgotten writers – and much more!

Learn more about HBW’s rich history here HBW Timeline | The Project on the History of Black Writing (ku.edu)