Honoring Dr. William Edward Burghardt Du Bois at Fisk University

Fisk University, its faculty, staff, students, and alumni each year on February 23^rd, celebrate and commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. William Edward Burghardt Du Bois with an Annual Convocation. As one of Fisk University’s most esteemed graduates and distinguished scholars of the 20^th century, Du Bois’s social thought and activism transformed generations, instilling in others citizenship and activism. Du Bois’s legacy as a poet, sociologist, pan-Africanist, novelist, essayist, and lecturer remains a valuable part of the campus culture and academic curriculum at his Alma Mater. We take up the mantle as a university to continue to invoke Dr.  William Edward Burghardt. Du Bois’s name keeps the spirit of his life’s work alive for every new generation of Fiskites.  Our son ever on the Altar!

This year’s commemoration of Dr. Du Bois will take place on Thursday, February 23^rd at 10: 00 am in the Fisk Memorial Chapel and live streamed on the Fisk University Youtube Channel sharing this illustrious occasion with Fisk Alumni and Friends across the world.

Our keynote speaker is CRYSTAL A. deGREGORY, Ph.D. ’03, a Bahamian-diasporan, historian, storyteller, and author of Magic and Mortal  (JuJu Collective, 2022), an introduction to her poetic voice, celebrating the nuanced facets of her Black girlhood, womanhood, and Caribbeanness.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the historic Fisk University and former W.E.B. Du Bois Honors student and Currier Scholar, deGregory earned her Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in history from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Education from Tennessee State University. Among her myriad of professional and civic affiliations, The Tennessee Historical Society’s trusteeship and membership with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Known for her collaborative advocacy and entrepreneurial leadership, she serves as the founder and editor of two digital storytelling projects: HBCUstory and Dorian and Beyond—the story of Hurricane Dorian in The Bahamas.

to watch the live-streamed event click the website link below: