Every year, Black History Month provides the Temple community with the opportunity to celebrate the legacy and ongoing contributions of Black and African American individuals on campus and in the world.
Temple Now spoke with four Temple faculty members about how their lived experience as Black scholars shapes the work they do every day, the impact they hope to have on students and their aspirations for future generations.
Photo by Ryan S. Brandenberg
Monika Williams Shealey
Dean
College of Education and Human Development
“Black History Month is an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of the contributions of Black Americans in this country. It’s also an opportunity to think about the future and the role of Black Americans in crafting a vision that positively impacts the Black community and our society more broadly. As one of the few Black female leaders on this campus and in higher education in general, I feel a unique responsibility to be a role model for all students, particularly those who look like me.
“Because of the history of Black Americans in this country and the realities of oppression and subjugation, this month is an opportunity for us to amplify voices that share love, joy and optimism.”
Photo by Ryan S. Brandenberg
Molefi Kete Asante
Professor of Africology and African American studies
College of Liberal Arts
“It’s important for one to always have a cultural context for what they do. In that sense I’m deeply grounded in an Afrocentric orientation to all phenomena. I always ask ‘What did my ancestors do in this case? What are our historical reference points?’
“I’m extremely aware of the need for rigorous work in my research because I’ve always wanted to be at the top of the game. That’s what I work for.”
Photo by Ryan S. Brandenberg
Lauren Bullock
Associate professor of instruction and director of the sports media program
Klein College of Media and Communication
“I’d like to play a role in creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for everyone who wants to work in the sports media industry. I want everyone to move beyond their race or gender and toward their skills and experience.
“I encourage my students to make friends. Sports media is a relationship business, and they’re going to bring one another into the fold. Temple is diverse beyond race and gender, so it’s a great place to connect with so many people from various backgrounds.”
Photo by Ryan S. Brandenberg
Jonathan Howe
Assistant professor and AIRE Lab co-director
School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management
“I see myself as part of the solution in creating a more equitable and inclusive environment in the field of sport and entertainment management—a field in which Black individuals are underrepresented in coaching and leadership positions but often overrepresented in certain sports when it comes to the playing surface. I encourage students that despite the underrepresentation in leadership roles, they have a place in this field of work and bring value to it. I impart this message in my teaching and research.”