Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice

Blacks at BrownFollowing the tradition of the Inman Page Black Alumni Council and the Brown University Slavery and Justice Report, this timeline is a form of witnessing and taking into account the ways in which Black people have been, and continue to be, integral and transformative to Brown University.

The Black Experience at Brown predates 1877. We identify the following who are documented within the University's records as working on the construction of University Hall:

  • one slave named Pero
  • one free African named Mingow
  • one Native American named Job

This serves as a historical marker for all who remain nameless in the archive and acknowledges their contributions to the University and are a part of its legacy.

View the interactive Timeline online