Black 14 social justice summer institute

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (PRESS RELEASE) - In honor of the Black 14 legacy, the University of Wyoming Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Social Justice Research Center invites high school students to the Black 14 Social Justice Summer Institute!

Students can meet these legendary men and experience Wyoming and UW. The Black 14 Social Justice Summer Institute is a multi-day, overnight program that provides rising junior and senior high school students with the opportunity to research contemporary issues related to the Black community, get to know the Laramie and UW community, and make long-lasting friendships.

Brief History- On October 17, 1969, fourteen Black University of Wyoming (UW) football players wanted to ask Head Coach Lloyd Eaton permission to join a national movement to protest the policy prohibiting African Americans from joining the priesthood in the Mormon Church, known today as the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints by wearing black armbands. The armbands were to be worn during a game against Brigham Young University (BYU), a university operated by the referenced church. The armbands symbolized their stand against racism, oppression, and social injustice. Upon meeting with Head Coach Eaton, they were immediately suspended from the UW football team and were denied the opportunity to ask their question for permission to wear the armbands. Their lives were forever changed. Today, these fourteen UW football players are known as the Black 14. Their names are: Jay (Jerry) Berry, Tony Gibson, John Griffin, Lionel Grimes, Mel Hamilton, Ron Hill, Guillermo (Willie) Hysaw, Jim Issac, Earl Lee, Tony McGee, Don Meadows, Ivie Moore, Joe Williams, and Ted Williams.

On September 13, 2019, verbal and written official University apologies were given to the Black 14.

“The dismissal of the Black 14 did not only affect those 14 players, but many African Americans around the nation. Surprisingly enough, one of the effects from the Black 14 dismissal took place at their rival school, Brigham Young University(BYU). According to an article in the Casper Star-Tribune written in 2009, the rival college BYU obtained their first ever African American football player. After BYU obtained their first African American football players, other players at BYU began to empathize with the Black 14. The captain of the BYU football team, Paul Sutorius, thought it was a shame that black athletes were often misunderstood and that the Black 14 were deprived from playing Wyoming football.”

– 2022 Black 14 Social Justice Summer Institute Peer Mentor

Black 14 SJSI Purpose- In honor of the Black 14 legacy, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Social Justice Research Center have created a summer program for students interested in individual freedom of expression; civil rights and social justice; and exploration of diversity, equity and inclusion principles. You are invited to participate in the Black 14 Social Justice Summer Institute to meet these legendary men and experience the wonderful State of Wyoming and the only public state university in the state: The University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming.

“While the narrative of what happened in the October 17, 1969 meeting between football players, Coach Lloyd Eaton, and the other team coaches is widely known, hearing it told by the members of the Black 14 and seeing them in the fieldhouse where the meeting took place presented a unique opportunity for the Summer Institute students.”

– Braelin Anderson, 2022 Black 14 Social Justice Summer Institute Peer Mentor

The Black 14 Social Justice Summer Institute is a multi-day, overnight program that provides rising junior and senior high school students with the opportunity to research contemporary issues related to, and important to, the Black community at the local, state, national, and global levels. At the same time, the institute strives to have a positive impact on the college completion rate of Black students. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the six-year college completion rate for Black students is 38 percent while nationally 54.8 percent of all college students complete college within six years. The Black 14 Social Justice Summer Institute will provide increased support and engagement for students through an introduction to the University of Wyoming and the overall college experience. Students will have a variety of rich curricular and co-curricular experiences during the program.

Selected participants will live in the residence halls and dine on campus. Information will be provided to support admissions, registration and financing a college education all while experiencing the culture and natural environment of Wyoming.