Additional Historical Note About the IRB
The “Indispensable Role of Blacks (IRB)" at Johns Hopkins exhibit is made possible through the collaborative efforts of Johns Hopkins University President Ronald J. Daniels, Johns Hopkins External Affairs and Development, and the Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA). We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have contributed to this transformative project. We are also immensely thankful to John F. Guess, Jr., A&S ’71, SAIS ’76, Member, Fred Scott Brigade, and CEO of the Houston Museum of African American Culture for supporting the “Indispensable Role of Blacks (IRB)".
When the exhibit debuted, it consisted of a free-standing, traveling display and window decals featuring the photos of men and women whose stories offer glimpses of the intertwined history of blacks and Johns Hopkins. The display and window images were supported by a website, http://bfsa.jhu.edu/exhibits/exhibit-list/ which includes brief narratives of the individuals highlighted in the project.
In September 2017, to bring greater visibility to the IRB project, the committee worked with the various Johns Hopkins campuses to feature selected individuals from the project on the walls of the university. The project organizers thought it important for Hopkins to have images of people of color on the walls visually affirming the university's stated commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The committee and the BFSA members determined that the best way to accomplish this objective was to pick up where the BFSA left off with its “History of African Americans at Johns Hopkins” project (2003-2008) and expand it. Hence, the Indispensable Role of Blacks at Johns Hopkins is a representation of what the BFSA hoped to accomplish – to show that blacks have and will continue to play and important role in shaping Johns Hopkins.