Rosa Parks Luncheon 2026

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Africana Studies will host the 21st Annual Rosa Parks Scholarship Luncheon. This year, the luncheon will be on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in the Eynon Ballroom, Chamberlain Student Center, from 10:45 am - 1:45 pm, and will address the theme "Policies That Impact Black Economics" and celebrate a century of Black history. Lt. Governor, Dr. Dale Caldwell, will serve as our distinguished guest speaker.

The national theme for Black History Month 2026, designated by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), is "A Century of Black History Commemorations", marking 100 years of celebrating Black contributions and highlighting the movement's impact on identity, pride, equality, and policies. The 2026 Black History Month theme, "A Century of Black History Commemorations, marks 100 years since Dr. Carter G. Woodson initiated Negro History Week in 1926. This milestone theme explores the impact of these celebrations on shaping identity, fostering pride, and advancing equality, highlighting the evolution from a week to a month-long global recognition. The 21st Annual Rosa Parks Scholarship Luncheon, sponsored by the Department of Africana Studies, Rowan University, will address the theme “Policies That Impact Black Economics.” This theme highlights how historical systemic barriers like redlining and Jim Crow continue to influence current debates over minimum wage, housing, education funding, and social safety nets (SNAP, Medicaid). Understanding these connections encourages attendees to reflect on ongoing efforts for economic justice and policy change.

The luncheon has become Africana Studies' most highly anticipated and well-attended event. Each year, hundreds from our community gather to honor Rosa Parks' legacy and support deserving students through the Dr. Gary Hunter Scholarships, fostering a shared sense of pride, purpose, and belonging. He was active with various committees on campus, including numerous search committees and ones on strategic planning. In 1989, after many years of effort, he founded and became the first Coordinator of the African American Studies program. That program began as a minor but expanded under the leadership of colleague Corann Okorodudu and became a major in Africana Studies.

He was the chairperson of the Department of History during the time of the Henry Rowan gift and oversaw the hiring of tenure-track faculty members Joy Wiltenburg, Q. Edward Wang, Corinne Blake, and Janet Lindman.  He also hired future tenure-track faculty member Scott Morschauser as an adjunct faculty member.  He was also chair during a major revision of the Department’s curriculum, a revision that made the College one of the nation’s leaders in requiring the study of global history.

He was highly regarded as an advisor and established a male mentoring program at the College.  In 2000, when asked what could be done to help Black communities, he responded that “we need mentoring, one person at a time.”  He received the African American Studies Award from the New Jersey Association of Black Educators, the Delta Sigma Theta Naomi Richardson Award for Service to Students, and a Certificate of Service from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).