Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø

Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø is dedicated to the quest for truth. 

In accordance with our Statement of Purpose, we honor the dignity and worth of every person — a commitment that requires us to confront our history with honesty and courage. The college acknowledges that enslaved and exploited people made foundational and innumerable contributions to Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø’s history.

Guided by principles of restorative justice, the college is dedicated to repairing harm, strengthening relationships and rebuilding trust. We explore the past, present, and future with all the tools of the mind and spirit. This work extends beyond campus, creating new pathways for underserved communities in the town of Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø and the greater Charlotte region to access a Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø education.

Central to this mission is our relationship with the descendants of the enslaved and exploited. We are committed to engaging with the descendant community not just as subjects of history, but as partners in our present and future educational and restorative efforts.

Following the 2020 report from the Commission on Race and Slavery (PDF), Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø has committed to continuous efforts to promote education and foster reconciliation in partnership with the descendant community. 

Initiatives related to this work fall within four areas.

Background

Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø’s formal institutional reckoning began in 2017 with the formation of the  (view archive). Tasked with investigating the college’s historical ties to slavery, the Commission produced a comprehensive report in 2020. That same year, the college issued a for its role in perpetuating the harms of slavery and its legacies.

This period of investigation and reflection led to research, teaching and learning initiatives, as well as physical transformation on our campus. With These Hands: A Memorial to the Enslaved and Exploited now stands in the historic quadrangle as a testament to those whose labor helped build the college and a symbol of our enduring commitment to reconciliation.