News & Events

Two highly accomplished and educated professors taught both the Middle and Upper schools on February 19, providing an informative Black History Month lesson. 

Dr. Maureen Elgersman Lee is Director of William & Mary's Bray School Lab, where she guides research and collaboration with faculty, students, historians, and Bray School descendants. Established in 1760, the Bray School was an educational institution on William & Mary's campus. It has a brief, complex history; its curriculum justified slavery. But it also taught reading, writing, and other subjects to about 300-400 enslaved and free Black children, providing a pathway for them to grow. In her role, she unearths and tells their stories.

“It's an incredible privilege to do the work I do each day," Lee said.

Lee attended Clark Atlanta University, an HBCU in Georgia. She previously taught at universities in Georgia, Maine, and Virginia, and served as executive director of Richmond’s Black History Museum. She's also an accomplished author of historical books. 

Dr. Ronald White is a professor in Norfolk State University's education program, where he recruits and develops aspiring teachers. An NSU graduate, he has previously taught at the elementary and high school levels, as well as at other universities.

The discussion was led by Belfry editors Jay Fernando '26 and Aubrey Rowland '26. This is the second straight year that Belfry editors have led a Black History Month discussion; in 2025, Dr. Jesse Anderson '75, the first Black student to attend Norfolk Academy, spoke about the discriminatory housing practice of redlining, and his upbringing in L & J Gardens, now on the Virginia Landmarks Register.  

Both experts this year said that while the number of HBCUs is relatively small - about 3% of schools are such - they produce a large number of contributing members to society. They also noted that HBCUs are not limited to Blacks; students of many races and nationalities attend them because of the quality of education.

White emphasizes to his students that their mission should not be simply to find the best career path, but to identify ways to help society.

“Your role is to make the world a better place," White said.

 Lee offered a similar message in Johnson Theater. Lean into challenges and find ways to make a difference, she said.

“Don't be afraid of the hard stuff, because that's where you grow," she said.

 Among their other words of wisdom:

“Don't short circuit the growth that comes from doing hard work," Lee said, speaking about challenges in education right now as technology and artificial intelligence develop rapidly. 

Always keep your ears and eyes open, White said. Whenever you hear something interesting, there's a reason you were the person who received that message.

“Listen for the call that will be upon your life," he said.