225 years of Tar Heels: Blyden and Roberta Jackson

Posted Feb 8, 2019
The first tenured black faculty members on UNC’s campus, Blyden and Roberta Jackson helped launch a wave of recruitment of African-American professors throughout the southeast. Blyden taught English and established the study of African-American literature, while Roberta taught education and became the first tenured black woman in the Division of Academic Affairs. (UNC.edu)

Related: Campus Connections

AI research at Carolina
From computer science to journalism, health sciences to social work, researchers are applying AI to the world’s problems. Carolina already boasts a deep knowledge of...
Sun Mar 22, 2026

From an indigo hue to Carolina Blue: the history behind UNC's school colors
Many students, fans and alums have proudly proclaimed that UNC is home to "the better blue." Carolina Blue became a widely used noun in the...
Sat Mar 21, 2026

Entrepreneur, UNC alum gives back, a bagel at a time
Alex Brandwein left UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School in May 2020 with two big accomplishments: an MBA and a lease for a bagel shop a few...
Tue Mar 17, 2026

20 years after seeds were distributed to children, Davie Poplar's legacy still grows
At nearly 400 years old, the Davie Poplar has stood on UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus for as long as the University has existed. But its legacy...
Mon Mar 16, 2026