The Early Black History Movement, Carter G. Woodson, and Lorenzo Johnston Greene

This compelling historical work illuminates the foundational figures who established and shaped the field of Black studies, focusing on the pioneering efforts of Carter G. Woodson and Lorenzo Johnston Greene. Drawing extensively from personal archives and the records of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, the author provides a deeply researched examination of their intellectual labor. It chronicles the immense struggles and strategic sacrifices these scholars made to legitimize African American history as a serious academic discipline. This narrative offers a crucial look at the origins of a field that continues to challenge and reshape our understanding of American history.

Dagbovie’s work stands out as the first major scholarly study to pair these two giants, revealing their partnership and individual contributions to the black history movement. Readers with an interest in historiography, the civil rights era's intellectual underpinnings, or the unsung architects of academic disciplines will find this account particularly resonant. The book powerfully demonstrates how Woodson and Greene’s dedication created the essential framework for contemporary African American studies. Their story is a vital reminder of the perseverance required to carve out space for marginalized narratives within the academy.