By Kymani Phillips
Barry Archives and Special Collections hosted a special exhibit inside the Monsignor William Barry Library in February to honor the legacy of its Black alums.
“Black Alumni in Archives at Barry,” the titled exhibit on the library’s third floor, showcased Black graduates' achievements, contributions, and cultural impact throughout the university’s history.
Barry University has long been a melting pot of cultures, and students worldwide have come together to learn, grow, and leave a mark at Barry. Still, even its Miami Shores campus did not admit Black students at its inception.
When founded in 1940 by the Adrian Dominican Sisters, the university did not admit Black students. However, the university began the integration process in the 1960s, aligning with the broader civil rights movement and desegregation eff orts in the United States.
In fact, the exhibit featured Cassandra M. Roberson, the first Black student at Barry during the ‘60s, when segregation in Miami was still ongoing and integration was not standard.
Class yearbooks depicted Black student organizations from the past and tied those photos to Barry student newspaper articles about their mission.
Jasmine Otero, archives and special collections librarian, was the architect behind the exhibit, ensuring that Black student organizations and the work of Black students at Barry were acknowledged.
“I wanted to bring back the archives’ displays that rotated frequently throughout the academic year using archive materials,” she said. “I wanted to do something for Black History Month because I felt it was important to highlight the work of Black students from the past as they're a part of Barry’s history, too.”
Today, Barry University is recognized for its diverse student body. As of 2023 institutional data, approximately 26% of the student population identifies as Black or African American.
The university continues to celebrate Black History Month and other cultural events, reflecting its commitment to inclusivity and honoring the contributions of Black students and faculty, despite this year’s recent elimination of the events by governmental and private sector counterparts.
Another goal of the exhibit is to recognize notable Black alums who have excelled in their respective fields. Barry’s Black graduates have left a lasting impact far beyond the university, whether in business, law, healthcare, education, or the arts. The exhibit highlights their professional accomplishments while shedding light on their contributions to social justice, community development, and mentorship.
Additionally, the display honors student-led organizations that have been instrumental in fostering Black identity and solidarity on campus. These organizations continue to shape Barry’s campus culture today, ensuring that the spirit of past generations lives on in current and future students.
The Black Student Union, in particular, hosts functions to provide and maintain the best conditions for students of color, to provoke awareness of local, national, and international issues of interest to the Black community and to serve as a positive influence in the academic environment of the Barry University campus.
For today’s students, “Black Alumni in Archives at Barry” is more than just a historical showcase—it is a source of inspiration and empowerment. Looking back at the struggles and triumphs of past Black students, current Barry students can see themselves in the university’s history and recognize their potential to shape its future.
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