Black Student Activism Legacy at the University of Michigan
The University of Michigan has a rich history of Black student activism spanning decades. From organized movements to individual acts of protest, these efforts have shaped campus policies and advanced racial equality through persistent advocacy for equity, representation, and systemic change.
The Black Action Movement (BAM) Series
BAM I (1970)
In March 1970, the Black Action Movement initiated a 12-day campus-wide strike with widespread support. Students demanded increased Black enrollment and faculty representation, leading to class cancellations and departmental shutdowns. The university ultimately committed to a goal of 10% African American enrollment by 1973.
BAM II (1975)
BAM II emerged in response to slow progress on meeting initial demands. The movement continued to emphasize the critical need for increased Black student enrollment and faculty representation across all departments
and programs.
BAM III (1987)
Seventeen years after the initial movement, BAM III formed in response to persistent racial issues, including racist remarks by a university radio DJ. With civil rights activist Jesse Jackson facilitating negotiations, the university established a Vice Provost for Minority Affairs and created funding for minority faculty development.
Being Black at the University of Michigan (#BBUM)
Social Media Campaign Launch (2013)
The Black Student Union initiated the #BBUM campaign to document and highlight the experiences of Black students on campus. The hashtag quickly gained traction on Twitter and other platforms, bringing national attention to racial climate issues at the university.
MLK Day Rally (2014)
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2014, students organized a rally where they presented seven specific demands to the university administration, calling for concrete actions to improve the Black student experience on campus.
Institutional Change
One significant victory from the #BBUM movement was the relocation of the Trotter Multicultural Center to a more central location on campus, symbolizing the university's commitment to placing diversity at the heart of campus life.
Dana Greene's 20-Hour Kneel
Inspiration
In 2016, University of Michigan graduate student Dana Greene was moved by NFL player Colin Kaepernick's protests against racial injustice and police brutality. Seeking to bring these conversations to campus, Greene decided on a bold, personal demonstration.
The Protest
Greene chose the iconic Diag—the central gathering space on campus—for his silent protest. For 20 consecutive hours, he knelt on the hard pavement, enduring physical discomfort to symbolize the ongoing suffering of Black Americans facing systemic racism.
Impact
Throughout his demonstration, hundreds of students, faculty, and community members gathered in solidarity. Some joined him in kneeling, while others brought water, food, and blankets. His act sparked crucial conversations about racial injustice both on campus and beyond.
Continuing the Legacy of Black Student Activism
Institutional Progress
Through decades of activism, Black students have driven meaningful change at the University of Michigan, including increased scholarship funding, diversity initiatives, and cultural centers. While progress has been made, these movements highlight how persistent advocacy is necessary for institutional transformation.
Documentation and Memory
The university's Bentley Historical Library maintains extensive archives of these movements, preserving protest materials, photographs, and oral histories. These collections ensure that the courage and determination of student activists becomes part of Michigan's official historical record.
Contemporary Activism
Today's students continue this legacy through organizations like the Black Student Union and Students of Color of Rackham. Their work addresses modern challenges while building upon the foundation established by movements like BAM and #BBUM, demonstrating how activism evolves while remaining connected to its historical roots.