Editor’s Note: As headquarters for the National Council for Black Studies, the University of Delaware is leading a nationwide effort to expand the NCBS Honor Society to include university chapters. NCBS Executive Director and UD Professor Alicia Fontnette spearheaded this initiative with an inaugural cohort of 10 Blue Hen undergraduates. “As we continue to grow, I’m excited that UD will be pioneering many of the initiatives for chapters worldwide, from community service projects to research opportunities,” Fontnette said. 

Students were selected for their commitment to Africana studies, community service and academic rigor (all must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA). The following Q&A is part of a larger series spotlighting these charter members.

Wes Colley came to UD to study sports management, and he has. But the management and sports management double major has also since added a minor in Africana studies, following a class on race with Professor Brandon Stanford.

“I’ve told Prof. Stanford this many times, but he is one of the primary reasons that I decided to declare Africana Studies as my minor,” Colley said. 

Here, Colley shares more about his experience as a student and NCBS Honor Society member.

How did you discover Africana Studies?  

I transitioned from a predominantly African American middle school to a predominantly white high school. With this in mind, I did whatever I could to continue to learn about my culture and my history as I had been able to do at my middle school. 

During my junior year, we were granted the ability to choose electives for our English class, and I chose “African Diaspora,” which launched my interest into Africana studies. I continued to take whatever courses that revolved around Africa, the African Diaspora, Black studies, etc. Since the same teacher, Dr. Nick Matlin, taught most of these classes, we quickly formed a bond both inside and outside of the classroom. After I graduated from high school, I had lunch with Dr. Matlin, and he told me that I should heavily consider taking some Africana studies courses during my time in college, as he could tell that I had some genuine interest in the area of study. 

What has been your favorite class?

I enrolled in Professor Brandon Stanford’s “Wages of Whiteness Course,” which I can wholeheartedly say changed both my life and my perspective. It’s an eye opening course that explains how groups such as Germans, Italians and the Irish “became white” within the landscape of America. 

What was the most surprising or interesting thing you learned?

From schools to housing to employment to highways to landfills and more, everything within America’s society and infrastructure has some form of racism embedded within it. 

What’s something you wish more people knew? 

Africana Studies is much deeper than the study of Black people. Rather, it is the study of Black people, culture, history, experience and so much more wrapped into one amazing area of focus. 

Why did you want to join the NCBS Honor Society?

When I was approached about joining the NCBS honors society I viewed it as an immense opportunity and honor. There was no consideration or making up my mind, I immediately knew that I would be accepting the invitation to join the inaugural chapter of the NCBS at the University of Delaware. 

What are your plans after graduation?

I am hoping that a future internship will shine a bit of light on this. As a sports management major, my dream job would involve either working with the Philadelphia Eagles in the front office, or working with the WWE in either the creative department or the production department.