Pioneering The Use Of “African American” At The National African-American Summit
Dr. Ramona Hodge Edelin, a renowned educator and tireless activist, passed away on February 19, 2024, at the age of 78 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Edelin’s legacy extends far beyond her academic accomplishments, as she played a pivotal role in popularizing the term “African American” in the late 1980s.
In 1989, Edelin attended the African-American Summit, a gathering of national Black leaders organized by civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson. It was at this event that Edelin advocated for the use of the term “African American” instead of “Black.”
She argued that the new terminology provided crucial historical context and linked Black Americans to the global African diaspora. Edelin’s persuasive stance resonated with the attendees, and the term “African American” was subsequently adopted and disseminated by the group.
Championing Charter Schools and Education Reform in Washington, D.C.
Edelin’s impact extended beyond her role in the popularization of “African American.” She dedicated much of her life to advocating for educational reform, particularly in the nation’s capital.
Edelin served as the president and chief executive of the National Urban Coalition from 1988 to 1998, during which she oversaw numerous initiatives, including a STEM program aimed at promoting math and science education among children of color.
Moreover, Edelin was a driving force behind the charter school movement in Washington, D.C. According to Ariel Johnson, the head of the D.C. Charter School Alliance, “Without her leadership, it’s safe to say that the charter school movement in the United States, and certainly the nation’s capital, would not be where it is today.”
Trailblazing Academic and Educator
Edelin’s remarkable career in academia and advocacy was built upon a foundation of academic excellence. Born in Los Angeles in 1945, she received a bachelor’s degree in religious and philosophical studies from Fisk University, a historically Black college, in 1967.
She subsequently earned a master’s degree from the University of East Anglia in England in 1969 and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Boston University in 1981, where her dissertation focused on the civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois.
In 1973, Edelin helped establish the Afro-American studies department at Northeastern University in Boston, advocating for the department to change its name to “African American studies” and popularizing the term among scholars and the broader public.
Leaving a Lasting Legacy
Edelin’s life and work exemplified a deep commitment to empowering and uplifting the African American community.
Through her tireless efforts, she left an indelible mark on the landscape of education and social justice in the United States.
