In the summer of 2013, Morgan State University graduate students from the History and Geography Department came together to create a graduate student organization that responds to the short and long-term needs of student in the History, African-American Studies, and Museum Studies Programs.

 

The charter members are:

 

Johnny Bailey - History Doctoral Program

Iris Barnes - History Doctoral Program

Shanell Bryant - African-American Studies Masters Program

Dr. Toya Corbett - History 2014 Doctoral Graduate

Dr. Kami Fletcher - History 2013 Doctoral Graduate

Leah Gaines - African-American Studies Masters Program

Cheryl E. Mango-Ambrose - History Doctoral Program

Ras Wayne Rose - History Doctoral Program

 

Over that summer, the students worked tirelessly to develop the organization's name, constitution, projected short and long-term goals, and logo that reflected the purpose and direction of the organization.  The West African Adinkra symbol for Cooperation and Interdependence was chosen because introduces African traditions into the organization. The members required that all HAFRAM GC members observe and promote the messages and meanings in the symbol, especially when gaining resources from individuals, communities, and other groups while engaging in scholarly research to ensure that their works have a circular focus that honors the African tradition in advancing the collective.

 

On Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. in Morgan’s Student Center Room 315 under the theme “Leaving A Legacy,” the organization was officially chartered and the inaugural group of officers were elected.  The 2013-2014 elected officers were:

 

• President — Leah Gaines, African-American Studies Masters 

• Vice President — Lasean Robinson, History Masters

• Secretary — Shanell Bryant, African-American Studies Masters

• Treasurer — Ras Wayne Rose, History Doctrate

• Director of Technology, Communications, and Public Relations — Mathew Mitchell, History Doctorate

• Director of Research and Initiatives — Iris Leigh Barnes, History Doctorate

• Historian — Johnny Khalil Bailey, History Doctorate

• Editors of the HAFRAM Voice - Abena Ebonee Davis, Museum Studies Masters & Cheryl Mango-Ambrose, History Doctorate

• HAFRAM, GC Alumnie Liasison - Dr. Kami Fletcher, History 2013 Doctoral Graduate

• Assistant Alumni Liason - Damita Green, African-American Studies Masters

• Faculty Advisor - Dr. Robert Morrow 

 

At the inaugural meeting, members made an overwhelmingly unanimous decision to name HAFRAM's Scholarly Enrichment Grant after Dr. Debra Newman - Ham because of her contributions to the Morgan State Community, the students, and the fields of History, African-American Studies and Museum Studies.