BLACK, NOT HISTORICALLY BLACK | A Busboys and Poets Books Presentation

Black, Not Historically Black: Towards the Pan-Black College and University by Dr. Joseph L. Jones offers a candid critique of HBCUs and a bold vision for their future. Drawing on his experience as an HBCU leader and scholar, Jones argues that the “historically Black” label is limiting, and instead calls for a new Pan-Black model that affirms diversity within the Black community and connects globally to the African diaspora.

He critiques systemic issues like revolving-door leadership, outdated practices, and financial dependency, while urging institutions to embrace transparency, academic rigor, and independent sustainability.

At its core, the book is both a tough love letter and a call to action—challenging HBCUs to reclaim their legitimacy and reimagine themselves as dynamic engines of Black thought, learning, and empowerment.

Dr. Joseph L. Jones is joining us on the Busboys stage to dive deeper into the ideas explored in his book and discuss the future of Black higher education. Copies of the book will be available for purchase during and after the event, and Dr. Jones will be signing following the program.

This event is free and open to all. Our program begins at 6:00 pm, and will be followed by an audience Q&A. Copies of BLACK, NOT HISTORICALLY BLACK will be available for purchase before and after the event. Please note that this event is in person and will not be livestreamed. 

We ask that guests RSVP in order to receive direct updates about the event from Busboys and Poets Books

Dr. Joseph L. Jones, a notable academic and thought leader, serves as the Executive Director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Southern Center for the Studies in Public Policy and holds the rank of Associate Professor of Political Science at Clark-Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia. His academic journey includes graduating earning a B.A. in Political Science from Philander Smith University, and attaining his M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from Clark-Atlanta University. 

Dr. Jones has a rich history in academia, having been the Founding Executive Director of the Social Justice Institute at Philander Smith University and the 14th President of Arkansas Baptist College. His intellectual pursuits have taken him to prestigious institutions, with academic fellowships at the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research at Harvard University and the Black Panther Party Research Project at Stanford University. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Jones has received numerous accolades, including the Fannie Lou Hamer Community Service Award from the National Conference of Black Political Scientists and the Bobby E. Wright Courageous Award from the National Association of Black Psychologists in 2016. His commitment to mentorship was recognized with the James and Jewel Prestage Mentorship Award from the National Conference of Black Political Scientists in 2020. 

Dr. Jones’ research spans diverse areas such as African American Political Thought, Political Theory, Politics of Education, and Historical Methods. His extensive research portfolio and publications delve into topics like decolonizing political theory, the politics of education focusing on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Black Politics with emphasis on the Obama era, and his most recent endeavor on citizen insecurity in western democracies. 

Dr. Jones released his critically acclaimed book entitled, “Black, Not Historically Black: Towards the Pan-Black College and University,” through Third World Press. This books provides a systematic critique and offers directions on how Black colleges and university in American can improve to become liberatory centers of education. 

His dedication to scholarship, mentorship, and advocacy for social justice continues to shape the discourse in his field, making Dr. Joseph L. Jones a leading figure in contemporary academia. 

Dr. Jones is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated and100 Black Men of America.

BOOK DETAILS

Black, Not Historically Black

Towards the Pan Black College and University

By Joseph L. Jones

December 17, 2024 | Paperback, 164 pages, $24.95

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