Black and Carolina Blue

How does it feel to be Black at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

#BlackAndCarolinaBlue is a resource for current and prospective Black students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It is designed to provide students with additional information as they navigate campus and make decisions about college. Click the links below to see the stories.

#Blackandcarolinablue

About the Project

#BlackAndCarolinaBlue is part of Jerry J. Wilson's dissertation research in pursuit of a PhD in Education Policy, Leadership and School Improvement at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Much like the larger dissertation, #BlackAndCarolinaBlue contains real stories from Black students that typically aren't included in campus brochures. The project gives an honest look at life on campus for Black students.

#BlackAndCarolinaBlue continues in the spirit of another project: #BlackOutLoudUNC, a 2019 collaborative art exhibition highlighting representations of Blackness on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill.

Letter to Prospective Black Students

As part of the dissertation, Jerry asked several Black undergraduates what things they wish they had known prior to enrolling at UNC Chapel Hill. Their responses were used to draft a composite letter to prospective Black students. Every Black student considering Carolina should read this letter. It is an honest and heartfelt message about the joys and burdens that Black Tarheels experience. While the letter cannot reflect every Black student's experiences, it is a window into a few realities.