Uncovering Louisville’s Anti-Apartheid History: A Journey through Time

The Ann Braden Institute for Social Justice Research at the College of Arts and Sciences is undertaking an important project to uncover Louisville’s significant contributions to the anti-apartheid movement of the 1970s and 1980s. This project, led by faculty and student researchers, aims to shed light on the University of Louisville’s groundbreaking 1985 decision to divest from South Africa. 
Emma Posey, a UofL sophomore and MLK scholar, is involved through the Summer Research Opportunity Program. Posey is passionate about social justice and is eager to explore issues beyond those that personally affect her. Norah Laughter, a junior at Yale University, is also part of the research team. She focuses on social movements and plans to create a thesis on Kentucky’s role in the anti-apartheid movement.

The project emphasizes the interconnectedness of local and global efforts, revealing the impactful role of various organizations in Louisville and beyond. Dr. Angela Storey, director of ABI, and Dr. Tyler Fleming, Associate Professor of Pan-African Studies and History, view this project as a crucial reflection on historical and contemporary activism.

This initiative is a reminder of the power of local activism and its influence on global justice.