WCU Stories      March 18, 2021

A new group has been organized for African American faculty and staff at Western Carolina University, though its efforts are intended to reach beyond into the community and other constituencies.

 “The purpose of WCU Black Faculty and Staff Assembly is to identify and act upon those issues that affect African Americans at the university and throughout the region of Western North Carolina,” said Shamella Cromartie, associate dean with Hunter Library and the group’s chair. “We want to create and maintain effective and positive relationships and play a meaningful role in uplifting actions and communication. We hope that as life returns to normal (following the pandemic), we will be able to have face-to-face activities and engaging with campus leadership to make WCU the welcoming campus that it can be for everyone.”

Other officers are Darrius Stanley, parliamentarian; David Walton, secretary/historian; Tacquice Wiggan Davis, treasurer.

The effort came about from an idea by Ricardo Nazario-Colón, chief diversity officer, who also did the initial organizing of the group, along with Davis, associate director of Intercultural Affairs.

The 2021 meeting schedule, currently by Zoom: 

• May 10 (Mandela Presidential Inauguration)
• 8 (End of Enslavement in Tennessee)
• 1 (Black Solidarity Day)

For more information, email Cromartie at scromartie@email.wcu.edu.