PRAIRIE VIEW A&M TO LAUNCH NEW RACE & JUSTICE CENTER TO ‘EMPOWER STUDENTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE’
Officials at Prairie View A&M University have received approval to launch a race and justice center.
(courtesy Prairie View A&M)
The Texas A&M Board of Regents on Thursday approved the plan to construct the Ruth J. Simmons Center for Race and Justice, named after Prairie View A&M’s president.
According to Simmons, the center will “encourage teaching and scholarship that contributes positively to overturning systemic biases” that she says hurt people of color and deny them their rights.
Political science and African-American studies professor Melanye Price was appointed by Simmons in June to lead the center.
The center will offer a required course on the history of race and class in America for all students entering Prairie View as well as undergraduate research opportunities. Prairie View officials plan to host lectures and other events through the center and work with outside organizations on implementing best practices for their work environments.
The center will phase into operation starting with some socially distant programming in spring 2021 with plans to be fully operational by the fall.