WS Chronicle

By Dr. James B. Ewers Jr.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have always been academic cathedrals of learning, hope and inspiration. Long ago and years gone by, they created educational opportunities for people who look like me.

They continue to provide the knowledge needed to compete today.

The HBCU community is spread throughout the world. Alumni from these schools have achieved and excelled at a high level.

I grew up in a North Carolina city that was surrounded by Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Within a short drive there were at least five of them. In a good way, I took them for granted. Growing up in Winston-Salem, I could walk to Winston-Salem Teachers College, now Winston-Salem State University. On my street lived Dr. Kenneth R. Williams, a former president of the school.

And around the corner was Mr. Clarence “Big House” Gaines, his wife Mrs. Clara Gaines, and their two children. I had a first-hand view of the legend of Coach Gaines before he was a legend.

I would see players like Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, Richard Glover and Ted Blunt on a regular basis. I do not know at what point I began to realize these guys were star basketball players.

Mrs. Gaines, who passed away recently, was my Latin teacher at Atkins High School.

The HBCU mindset was inbedded in me at an early age. Older guys on my street like Ray Joyner (Lincoln University of Pennsylvania) and James Arthur Price (North Carolina College now University) would come home during their breaks and talk about these schools.

They were recruiting and did not know it.

My teachers at Atkins High School were HBCU graduates. They often talked about their college experiences and how they became teachers.

We had HBCU ambassadors teaching us every day.

These early times of having HBCU students in my neighborhood and HBCU alumni as teachers were fundamental in my developing a love for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

All of this was coupled with the fact that each year at the Memorial Coliseum, there was the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) basketball tournament. The CIAA is the oldest African American athletic conference in America. It was founded in 1912.

As elementary and high school kids, we would go and have fun. If you have never attended a CIAA basketball tournament, you are missing out on a grand celebration of HBCU excellence.

There is so much to do and see. I cannot describe it. You just have to go!

The majority of HBCUs are in the South. The oldest HBCU is Cheney University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1852.

As I matured, I knew I would attend a Black college. There was never a question about it.

I am a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University located in Charlotte. It was founded in 1867. I have countless memories of my JCSU days and I hold them close to my heart. I was blessed to have attended Johnson C. Smith University.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities continue to make history. Kamala Harris, a graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C., is the Vice President of the United States of America.

It is great that Chris Paul (basketball) and Deion Sanders (football) are using their platforms to talk about the importance of HBCUs. MacKenzie Scott, philanthropist, has given away millions of dollars to our schools so that they can continue their missions.

Our schools have endured the trials and the tough times. The light will never go out on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Their importance to the world is too great.

James B. Ewers Jr., Ed.D., is a former tennis champion at Atkins High School in Winston-Salem and played college tennis at Johnson C. Smith University, where he was all-conference for four years.  He is a retired college administrator. He can be reached at  overtimefergie.2020@yahoo.com.