Perry Wallace

Nearly 100 community members gathered outside of MLK Academic Magnet School, formerly Pearl High School, to celebrate Ridley’s legacy. Funded by Vanderbilt Athletics, the Metro Historical Commission marker was the latest expression of Vanderbilt’s support for the North Nashville neighborhood around Pearl High. Alumni Perry Wallace and Walter Murray, valedictorian and salutatorian of the segregated high school’s class of 1966, went on to have pioneering careers as students at Vanderbilt. Read More

A partnership of the Metro Nashville Historical Commission, Vanderbilt University and Washington Junior High School alumni succeeded in erecting a historical marker honoring the school where it once stood. The marker, at the intersection of 25th Avenue North and Morena Street, was a celebration of the effort to honor Black history in Nashville by preserving the legacy of the school. Read More

Nashville Children’s Theatre will present the world premiere of Strong Inside, a stage adaptation of Andrew Maraniss’ acclaimed biography of SEC basketball and civil rights pioneer Perry Wallace, in a unique collaboration with Vanderbilt University. Tickets are on sale now, and members of the Vanderbilt community can receive a 50 percent discount to select performances. Read More

Vanderbilt University invites the community to events celebrating Juneteenth hosted by a number of campus partners. Vanderbilt recently announced that university staff will receive Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in United States, as a paid holiday beginning in 2023. Read More

Vanderbilt’s 2020 celebration of Black History Month included lectures, off-campus trips, community events and more to celebrate and reflect on the history, impact and contributions of African Americans throughout the country’s history and at the university. Read More

More than 200 people gathered in front of Vanderbilt University’s Memorial Gym Feb. 22 for the dedication of Perry Wallace Way, the portion of 25th Avenue South recently named in honor of Vanderbilt trailblazer and Nashville native Perry Wallace, the first African American to play varsity basketball in the Southeastern Conference. Read More

Photo by Trey Clark For Jessie Wallace Jackson, the trailblazing experience of her brother Perry Wallace, BE’71, is a story of love and hope for the future. A recent Memphis Vanderbilt Chapter Commodore Classroom expanded his inspiring message. On Dec. 9, more than 60 alumni and friends gathered at the… Read More

Vanderbilt will host a screening of the documentary film "Triumph: The Untold Story of Perry Wallace" on Thursday, Dec. 12, in Sarratt Cinema. The event is free and open to the public, and free popcorn, soft drinks and hot chocolate will be provided. Read More

The portion of 25th Avenue South in front of Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gymnasium will be ceremonially renamed “Perry Wallace Way” in memory of the trailblazing Vanderbilt student-athlete who integrated SEC varsity basketball in 1967. Read More

Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos announced today the second series of portraits honoring five Vanderbilt trailblazers. Zeppos has commissioned paintings of Dorothy Wingfield Phillips, K.C. Potter, David Williams II, Kate Lupton and Muhammad Yunus. Read More

Alan Hicks, BA’66, left, speaks with Strong Inside author Andrew Maraniss, BA’92, at the San Francisco Commodore Classroom event. The New York Times best-selling book Strong Inside shares the trailblazing Vanderbilt experience of Perry Wallace, BE’70. The story has resonated with alumni everywhere, and Commodore Classrooms events have provided… Read More

David Williams II was remembered as a courageous vice chancellor, outstanding athletics director, brilliant law professor and devoted husband and father during a celebration of life service Feb. 15. Read More

"Triumph: The Untold Story of Perry Wallace," the documentary that tells the story of the first African American varsity basketball player in the SEC, is now available for educational screenings. Read More

Men's basketball's Joe Toye, an economics major and the lone senior on the Commodores’ roster, is the embodiment of student-athlete-leader. Read More

As 70-year-old Williams nears the end of a 15-year run leading Vanderbilt athletics—and his 27th year as a senior administrator in higher education—he is ready to hand over leadership of a department that has made enormous strides during his tenure. Read More

Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos will host a screening of "Triumph: The Untold Story of Perry Wallace" on Thursday, Dec. 6, in Memorial Gym. The event is free and open to faculty, staff and students as well as their friends and family. Read More

We must ensure that the artwork displayed at Vanderbilt celebrates role models that inspire all members of our rich mosaic, writes Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos in this week's column. Read More

Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos unveiled four portraits on Saturday that are part of a new “Vanderbilt Trailblazers” series to honor members of the Vanderbilt community who broke barriers at the university and in society at large. Read More

The Rev. Beverly A. Asbury, who worked tirelessly as Vanderbilt's first chaplain to eliminate racial- and religious-based hatred and to promote inclusion and respect for others, has died. Read More

Civil rights trailblazer Perry Wallace, BE’70, who became the first-ever African American varsity basketball player in the Southeastern Conference when he suited up for Vanderbilt in 1967, has been honored with a new scholarship at the university. Read More