Pope Joins Historic Commission

Fourteen leaders in the AfricanAmerican history community, including Central’s Vice President for Student Affairs, Myron Pope, Ed.D., have been appointed to serve on the 400 Years of African-American History Commission. Congress established the commission, through Public Law 115-102, to coordinate the 400-year anniversary, occurring later this year, of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans to the English colonies. The National Park Service will provide support to the commission, as the enslaved Africans arrived at Point Comfort, Virginia, which is now the site of the Fort Monroe National Monument.

The commission will plan, develop and implement programs and activities across the nation to highlight and celebrate 400 years of African-American contributions, while garnering support from various organizations across the U.S. Pope is the only member of the higher education community on the commission.

“I am honored and humbled to serve in this capacity,” Pope said. “There is a wealth of history that African-Americans have contributed to this country over the past 400 years, some very well recognized and some not as well recognized. The commission will chronicle as much of this history through commemorative events and presentations throughout the country.”