Issue 21
Dear Reader,
As we experience recent and ongoing events in our nation,
the nation’s trajectory appears bleak. The seemingly unending
war between the US and Iran, the assault on voter and basic
human rights, the defacing of the District of Columbia,
including the White House east room and rose garden, are all
arguably depraved occurrences. Yet, aggressively challenging
the predictably dire chain of events remains possible, especially
in view of the upcoming elections.
With this issue of the newsletter, long-time friends and
colleagues recount an American history replete with ways to
address these kinds of events, including understanding the role
of public history -- living and passing it along in non-traditional
ways. We are proud to feature the groundbreaking teaching and
research of HBCU colleague/professor/historian Dr. Sandra
Jowers-Barber in her interview with the award-winning
historian/scholar/author and the former director of public history
at Howard University Dr. Elizabeth Clark-Lewis.
We also feature retired communications professor and
integrated wellness coach Zenobia D. Bailey, who continues to
support this project. Her groundbreaking blogs and reposting of
the blogs of others such as that of Dr Lois Evans, founder of the
Urban Institute, enlighten us on the challenges and rewards of
life, particularly relative to being mindful of one’s purpose.
In a new feature, I begin HBCU News Briefs. Beginning
with Bennett College, this article adds to our efforts to highlight
the venerable history of HBCUs across the nation. Born of
adversity, Bennett, located in Greensboro, NC; has risen to
become a premier school for predominantly black women of all
backgrounds and circumstances. Many thousands of its alumnae
have reached heights of personal and professional achievement,
supplying the nation with a steady stream of alumni who are
leaders nationally and globally in a variety of fields.
Finally, this issue continues the listing of new grants by
HBCUs, highlighting Philander Smith University with a grant
from Windgate Foundation to assist in student scholarships.
Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Gwen Bethea
Editor
Interview with Historian Elizabeth Clark-
Lewis, Ph.D., by Sandra Jowers-Barber,
Ph.D.
Elizabeth Clark-Lewis, Ph.D., Historian/Professor/Author
Director, Division of Humanities and Criminology
Community College
University of the District of Columbia
Contact Information
sjowers@udc.edu
202-274-5297
Lamond-Riggs Campus
Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber recently interviewed Dr. Elizabeth-Clark-Lewis on her
video series, The Historical Lens. Dr. Clark-Lewis, author of several books,
including Living In, Living Out and Freedom Bags, is the founder of the Afro-
American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) and the former director
of Public History at Howard University. The interview touched on widely ranging
topics that explore the rich history of blacks in America. Such topics as how
Blacks preserved and continue to find ways to preserve their history in often non-
traditional ways, form a rich contextual framework for the interview that is both
enlightening and entertaining. Such history also addresses present-day issues that
seek to undermine Blacks' generational progress and upward mobility, while
diminishing the role that they have played in American history.
Use the link below to hear the interview.
https://youtu.be/FT00_w7RlhU?si=EumBKWoNB1t767UO
Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber is a historian and professor at the University of the
District of Columbia Community College (UDC-CC), where she serves as director
of the Division of Humanities and Criminology. She specializes in African
American history, gender, disability, the African American Deaf community and
oral history and qualitative methodologies. She chairs the Historians Advisory
Board for the 51 Steps to Freedom Project, and is a founding board member of the
Center for Black Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University.
She is the host of the UDC Forum on the UDC Cable TV Station and has
conducted oral histories of faculty to celebrate 150 years of UDC. Her research
focus and works in progress include researching and documenting the history of
the Black Deaf Community; and Signing in Black: The Narratives of African
American ASL Interpreters. For further information, contact sjowers@udc.edu.
Contentment vs Complacency
https://zenobiabailey.com/blog/f/contentment-vs-complacency
by Zenobia D. Bailey
JUNE 20, 2026|Health Benefits, Healthy Lifestyle,
Mindset, Purpose, Wisdom
Embracing All Seasons of Our Lives
At its central core, contentment is satisfaction with what we have or
where we are. The late Dr. Lois Evans, author and co-founder, of The Urban
Alternative, describes it as an attitude rooted in gratitude, recognizing that
true contentment comes when we accept God's provision and timing. 1
Timothy 6:6-8 reinforces this verse: "Godliness with contentment is
great gain. We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we carry
nothing out. She further states, “Contentment isn't about complacency or
complacently accepting mediocrity; it's about appreciating God's
blessings while remaining open to growth. It's the peaceful confidence
that God’s timing and provision are enough for today.”
While contentment is biblically healthy, Evans warns of a subtle
danger -- complacency. Unlike contentment, complacency breeds self-
satisfaction and smugness that can insulate one from God's next
assignment. It shifts one’s focus from God's plans to one’s own comfort
zone, leading to a blindness to future blessings. She illustrates this with
the biblical story of Esther. Esther became comfortable in her royal
palace, risking losing sight of her divine purpose. Evans emphasizes that
complacency can lull one into laziness and into forgetting that all good
things ”come from above” (James 1:17). Focusing on oneself leads to
concentration on earthly riches and risks the loss of a spiritual
perspective that is necessary for growth.
Whether single or married, working or waiting, she encourages us
to ask, "How can we serve God here, wherever “here” is? She shares her
experience of making the most of what God provided during her family's
seminary days; embellishing simple meals and finding joy in each day,
rather than wishing for more or different from what they had.
Listen to the first of three podcast episodes on contentment.
*This post was composed with the assistance of AI.
HBCU History Briefs
Bennett College (From the Bennett College
Website)
In 1873, Bennett College had its beginning in the unplastered
basement of the Warnersville Methodist Episcopal Church (now known
as St. Matthews United Methodist Church). Seventy young men and
women started elementary and secondary level studies. In 1874, the
Freedmen’s Aid Society took over the school which remained under its
auspices for 50 years.
Within five years of 1873, a group of formerly enslaved people
purchased the present site for the school. College-level courses and
permanent facilities were added. In 1926, The Women’s Home
Missionary Society joined with the Board of Education of the church to
make Bennett College in Greensboro, N.C., formerly co-educational, a
college for women. The challenges that were overcome to establish
Bennett demand that today’s challenges be met and overcome to ensure
her survival.
(From the Bennett College Website)
For nearly 150 years, since its founding as a co-educational
institution, women have found Bennett to be the ideal place to foster the
constant rhythm of ideas. Each student’s individual need for self-
expression and desire for achievement is constantly nurtured. The
College fosters a strong respect for every student. Today, Bennett is
preparing contemporary women to be well educated, productive
professionals, informed, participating citizens, and enlightened parents.
Bennett College confers the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of
Science, Bachelor of Arts and Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, and
the Bachelor of Social Work and currently offers 15 majors. Numerous
opportunities to study at other higher education institutions at home and
abroad are available to continue the educational enrichment of Bennett’s
students. From its founding in the basement of a Methodist Church,
Bennett College remains affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
The goals of the College continue to focus on the intellectual, spiritual
and cultural growth of young women who must be prepared for lifelong
learning and leadership. Since 1930 more than 5,000 women have
graduated from Bennett College. Known as Bennett Belles, they
continue to be among contributing women of achievement in all walks
of life.
(Photo from the Bennett College Website)
(Photo from the Philander Smith College website)
Philander Smith University
Receives $3.9 million Grant from
Windgate Foundation
(from the Philander Smith University website)
Structured to create both immediate impact and enduring support,
the grant will provide scholarship assistance for current students while
establishing a permanent source of need-based aid for future generations
of Philander Smith students.
“This extraordinary investment from the Windgate Foundation will
strengthen affordability and help ensure that financial barriers do not
hinder educational opportunity for generations of Philander Smith
students,” said Dr. Maurice D. Gipson, President and CEO of Philander
Smith University. “As we approach our 150 th anniversary, we are deeply
grateful to the Windgate Foundation for investing in the mission of our
institution and the future of our scholars.”
According to the Foundation, the grant was approved by the
Windgate Foundation Board in April 2026. In its award letter, the
Foundation noted the desire of its trustees to establish an endowed fund
that will “perpetuate their giving to the needs of the organization long
beyond their lifetime.”
“For many students, scholarship support is the difference between
stopping out and staying the course,” Gipson added. “This
transformative award helps ensure that talented, determined scholars
have the opportunity to continue their education and fulfill their purpose
through Philander Smith University.”