Brochure cover for Stony Brook University’s Black Studies program, undated

This 1970s trifold mail brochure was sent to prospective Stony Brook students, advertising the university’s new Black Studies program. An “Academic Philosophy” shared inside describes the program as “designed to provide an introductory and systematic understanding of Africa and peoples of African ancestry with the hope of expanding the students’ academic and intellectual horizons.” On the cover, the department slogan “power through knowledge” nods to both the Latin aphorism scientia potentia est (knowledge is power) and the birth of Black Studies programs as created by a dedicated, student-led faction of the Black Power movement.