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A Guide to Living in Durham for Black Students

Mary Lou Williams brochures put students in touch with faculty, community

What do John Brown, Tina Campt, and Lee Baker have in common? Besides a good reputation and waitlisted classes, they are all featured in The Mary Lou Williams Center's most recent publication.

Many students know the Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture for its renowned Wednesday jazz nights. Under new leadership, though, Team Mary Lou has done much more than create good music.

At the request of students, the center published two resource guides for undergraduate and graduate students at the start of the 2006-2007 school year, "A Guide to Black Faculty at Duke University" and "Campus and Community Connections."

From Campus and Community Connections

Specialty Shops

Africa Land -- A collection of carefully and intricately carved sculptures of men, women, children and animals depicting family life, African culture and heritage. 2000 Chapel Hill Rd., Durham.

African American Art -- Northgate Mall, Durham.

One World Market -- Durham's only non-profit store devoted exclusively to the mission of fair trade. 8111 Ninth St., Durham.

Vanya's Arts and Accessories -- Started in 1985 with an idea that quality African-American art and creative custom framing would add a new dimension to the state of the art in the Research Triangle. 502 E. Chatham St., Cary.

AC Moore -- 3615 Witherspoon Blvd., Durham.

Carolina Memories -- 4015 University Dr., Durham.

"Both pamphlets are consistent with our belief that providing resources to Black students helps to further their ability to engage and own this university," said Mary Lou Williams Center Director Chandra Guinn.

"A Guide to Black Faculty at Duke University" includes black faculty from all university schools, with the exception of the medical school. The impetus was to create a single resource for students interested in learning about classes taught by black professors. In the guide, students can find professional bios as well as contact information for the faculty members.

Center officials said it was important for black students to identify with black faculty members. "Because black faculty are so few and so isolated, it can be difficult to know who they are if you are not pursuing a particular major," said Guinn. "We believe in role models."

"The guide was nice at the beginning of the school year because it helped me decide what teachers to talk to and consider mentors," said freshman Tassity Johnson. "It helped me figure out what I want to get out of my four years at Duke."

In her introduction, Guinn reaffirms the notion of role models. "This resource -- provides you with a consolidated source of information on faculty uniquely important to your success at Duke."

Guinn has served as the director of the Mary Lou Williams Center for one year, and is ardently committed to "the cultivation" of Black student consciousness. "At the Mary Lou Williams Center, we are completely and totally committed to the academic excellence of our Black students," Guinn said, "and we try to decrease the burden placed on them by doing some of the things that need to be done."

Like "A Guide to Black Faculty at Duke University," the second guide, "Campus and Community Connections," was also initiated by students, and builds on the work of the Black Student Alliance (BSA).

Featured in this publication are recommendations for everything from hair care to places of worship and entertainment. Entries were chosen based on the advice of student interns, BSA, the Mary Lou Williams Center staff, and members of the Durham community that work at Duke. "The Mary Lou Williams Center is committed to supporting Black business in the community, and that's reflected in this pamphlet," said Guinn.

The resource is meant to help new Black students find their "niche," and its working. "Durham is not an easy town to get used to," Johnson said. "The guide helps students to get to know the community and find our way around."

Guinn is eager to see similar efforts made on the part of the administration. "With the support of the administration, other sorts of opportunities can be made available to our constituents—undergraduate and graduate and professional students of African descent," Guinn said.