$112K Gifted To West Chester University To Promote Diversity

WEST CHESTER, PA —Abolitionist, orator, and statesman Frederick Douglass delivered his last public speech 128 years year ago at West Chester University’s campus.

On the anniversary of Douglass’ speech Wednesday, former state Senator Andrew Dinniman, donated $112,000 to create the Dinniman Together Fund: Diversity Inclusion & Equity Endowment at West Chester University.

The fund will support the Frederick Douglass Institute at West Chester University, which is an educational and cultural resource for advancing multicultural studies devoted to the heritage of Douglass.

In recognition of the role that Douglass played as an advocate of social justice, West Chester University established the Frederick Douglass Institute in 1992. There are Frederick Douglass institutes at all state campuses in Pennsylvania.

Black History Month

The announcement coincides with the first day of Black History month, paying a tribute to African Americans who struggled with adversity to become American citizens.

February was selected as Black History Month by Carter Woodson, historian, because Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday was Feb. 12, and Douglass, who was born enslaved and did not know his actual birth date selected Feb. 14 as his birthday.

Last fall, Dinniman delivered the third annual Dr. Clifford E. DeBaptiste Frederick Douglass Institute Lecture entitled “The Life and Legacy and Legacy of Frederick Douglass in the America of 2022.”

During his address, he stated, “Frederick Douglass and Martin Luther King, Jr. represent the prophetic tradition in American history, which calls for the nation to live up to its highest aspirations.”

The Chester County History Center plans to use Dinniman’s lecture as part of its Black History Month programs.

Dinniman received the President’s Medallion for Service in 2015 and was named emeritus director of the Center for International Programs and Educational Development in 2021.

Dinniman taught undergraduate courses including African American History, Racial and Ethnic Understanding, and Global Studies, as well as graduate courses in public policy. He has served as director of both the Ethnic Studies Institute and the Center for International Programs.