UNCG’s Black Power took place in November 1967 in the midst of major national protests , riots, and changes. African American students at UNCG began discussing the need for a formally-recognized student organization to represent their needs and issues. At the start of the 1968-1969 academic year, students officially petitioned for and received university recognition for the Neo-Black Society (NBS).

The NBS stated three major goals of the organization: “1) to help in voter registration drives, 2) to work with the Greensboro United Tutorial Service (a community group aimed at connecting college students with community education efforts), and 3) to try to help establish an Afro-American history course on this campus.” An October 18, 1968 editorial article in The Carolinian student newspaper reported that the organization was “a group of students who are willing to work within the framework of our society to bring about constructive and much-needed change.”

This stole was designed to be worn by student members of the Neo-Black Society during commencement in 2007.

Supplemental Materials

Oral histories discussing the Neo-Black Society

Spartan Story about the Neo-Black Society vs. the Student Senate

Spartan Story about the founding of the Neo-Black Society

Neo-Black Society Records