Crossing the Color Line: One at a Time, 1950-1960

Crossing the Color Line: One at a Time, 1950-1960, examines the initial period of desegregation and integration at NC State University in a state and national context.

The University of North Carolina (UNC) system, like the state of North Carolina as a whole, embraced a centrist approach to desegregation, which stressed moderation and gradualism. Although no rioting took place on NC State's campus, it would take a number of federal court cases to ensure that African American students would be able to enroll at the university.

This exhibit utilizes correspondence between NC State Administrators and other leaders in the UNC University system. Transciptions of relevant Supreme Court cases have also been included.