Loyola Blakefield Launching Exhibit Honoring Legacy of African American Alumni

We are proud to present Black, Blue, & Gold, an exhibit designed to celebrate and preserve the impact and legacy of our many African American alumni. As a living history exhibit, Black, Blue, & Gold will continue to grow and develop in size and scope over the years, showcasing the extraordinary and enduring contributions made by Loyola’s Black alumni, thus enriching our school community through the lens of their shared experience and impact on the institution. 

"The seeds of this concept were planted over a year ago with the goal to thoughtfully and collaboratively showcase the contributions of our Black alumni," said Bernie Bowers ’78, Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. "Their experiences are inspiring, and we look forward to sharing their unique history."

The exhibit commences with the first four Black students to attend Loyola: Kenneth C. Montague '60, civil servant and attorney; Timothy L. Porter '64, attorney and musician; Clifford J. Pugh '66, political campaigner and financier; and Carl F. Stokes '68, elected official and school administrator. It also includes a portion devoted to Frank Fischer, who took bold steps toward recruiting and preparing African American students to attend Loyola via the Higher Achievement Program. Frank was also instrumental in identifying funding opportunities to ensure that those who might not otherwise have access to a Loyola education were fully supported.  

The exhibit, located in the lobby of Knott Hall, will formally launch during the 2021 Frank P. Fischer Fund Benefit Luncheon on Sunday, December 5, at 1:00 p.m. Additional elements will be added in 2022 with plans to continually evolve the exhibit over time. This will include artistic displays and other features that highlight the unique contributions of our Black alumni, faculty, and staff.

Thank you to all who supported and shared in the collaborative effort to conceive and execute this exhibit. We would like to formally recognize the members of the committee whose vision inspired this project: Bernie Bowers ’78, Brandon Floyd ’09, Brant Hall ’98, Bernard Justis ’80, Carl Stokes ’68, and Wesley Wood ’88.  
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