Unearthing Legacy: How the University of Colorado Celebrates Unsung Black Graduates in History

Class portraits at the University of Colorado Law School tell a story of history, but many faces are still unrecognized. One of them is Franklin LaVeale Anderson, Colorado Law’s first known Black student. He entered in 1896 and became a prominent businessman in Boulder. Yet, for many years, his story faded into obscurity.

For a long time, many people at the university knew nothing about Anderson or other Black students who attended the school. Their achievements went uncelebrated, leaving a gap in Colorado Law’s history. Most early Black students’ pictures were hidden away, not prominently displayed. Their contributions were cherished locally but went unnoticed by the broader community.

In 2024, inspired by similar efforts at Boston College Law School, Colorado Law began to investigate its own Black history. I was asked to lead this project. With years of experience in academic research, I was excited to uncover stories that deserved recognition.

Many Black alumni before 1968 remained unknown to current faculty and staff. Privacy rules made it difficult to track this demographic. I started my research by examining old class portraits, spending hours in dark corners of the library. Eventually, I identified over 210 Black students from 1899 to 2024.

Among them was Anderson. However, I soon discovered that he wasn’t listed among the graduates of his class. Historical documents did not explain this omission, but they highlighted his life journey, including his birth into a free family in Missouri in 1859. He became a barber and relocated to Boulder in 1892.

As I delved deeper, I uncovered critical partnerships with archivists who enriched my research with new insights. One key figure, David Hayes, helped provide context on marginalized groups at the university. Another ally, Mona Lambrecht, identified more Black students who had gone unrecognized, such as Franklin Henry Bryant, Colorado Law’s first Black graduate in 1907.

This exploration led me to genealogical resources like FamilySearch, which helped track down important life events of these students. I also used historical newspapers to gather more details about their lives. Notably, Anderson was mentioned in a student publication attending a social gathering with his classmates.

Putting together this research was an emotional experience. In February, I created biographies for six early Black students and published findings in October. This effort aimed to restore their legacy within Colorado Law and ensure that future generations would recognize these vital contributions.

Research shows that acknowledging historical figures has a powerful impact. By remembering these individuals, we not only honor their achievements but also inspire current and future students to appreciate diversity in the legal field. Recognizing individuals like Franklin L. Anderson encourages us to promote inclusivity and equality, pivotal values in today’s society.

As Colorado Law continues its journey of remembrance, it serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing all students. Their stories deserve to be known and celebrated, paving the way for a richer understanding of history and social justice.

This article is republished from The Conversation.

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activism,social justice,university of colorado