In Memoriam: Bertha Maxwell-Roddey, 1930-2024

Bertha Maxwell-Roddey, founding director of the Africana studies department at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, passed away on March 20 at the age of 93. Dr. Maxwell-Roddey’s career in education began in the Charlotte public schools. In 1968, she became one of the first Black women to serve as principal of a formerly all-White elementary school. In 1970, she joined the faculty of what is now the Cato College of Education at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, making her the second full-time African American faculty member with the university. One year later, she was named founding director of the Black studies program, currently known as the Africana studies department. She retired in 1986 as the Frank Porter Graham professor emeritus and went on to teach at the University of South Carolina Lancaster for 20 years. Outside of her teaching appointments, Dr. Maxwell-Roddey founded and led multiple organizations dedicated to Black culture and advancement. In 1974, she co-founded what is now the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture in Charlotte. She was also a co-founder of the National Council for Black Studies, establishing its first planning session on the University of North Carolina at...