I am a supporter of HBCU's because I was welcomed there. I loved the support I received from college professors and the camaraderie from peers that to this day is still vibrant. Although the HBCU I attended was Bluefield State College (Bluefield, West Virginia established in 1895), my experience was rich and led me to continuing my education after I moved to Mississippi to teach initially at Piney Woods County Life School, a historically black boarding school and later in the Jackson Public School District. I continued my education and obtained a post graduate degree from Thee I Love Jackson State University. Before and after retiring in 2019, I enjoyed giving back to the community by working as an adjunct facilitator at Hinds Community College and Jackson State University.
Not only did I attend and graduate from an HBCU, my parents both graduated from HBCU's. My father, Robert C. Foulks (Kappa Alpha Psi) graduated from Bluefield State College and my mother, Edythe Saunders-Foulks, (Delta Sigma Theta) graduated from West Virginia State College (Institute, West Virginia established in 1891). As a child, my sister Rochelle and I used to listen to my mother's stories as she pressed our hair which would take hours. Her stories were always inspirational, would teach us, and led to the writing and publishing of my first book Shades of Difference, based on the life a young woman attending an HBCU in the 1940's. The proceeds from my book project will be used to support college students attending HBCU's.
For me, an amazing benefit of being educated through HBCU's, both from my parents and the collegiate environments, was its profound commitment to sharing my life and education with students. It was of utmost importance that they understood that despite their skin color, they must be self-confident. It was important for me to help them set goals both short and long with achievable plans and strategies to meet them. I involved students in curriculum that used all aspects of their giftedness to help them discover themselves. Teaching has been by far the most rewarding way to help young people and young adults learn to appreciate themselves and the contributions of all races and cultures. Knowing that our ancestors were great thinkers and creators, I will always be appreciative of the contributions of my race. In every walk of life, we have and will continue to make considerable and worthwhile contributions to the American society.
Join me, by making a contribution to Alcorn State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley State, Rust College, or Tougaloo College in an effort to bless our heritage. Remember, long after we're gone, the seeds we plant TODAY to help our legacy and our heritage to live on! Thank you for your support!
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3
Soror Rosalind F. Thomas-McCreary, author of Shades of Difference.
The Late Soror Edythe G. Saunders-Foulks and inspiration behind the historical fiction novel, Shades of Difference.
