THE
Legacy
1895
First African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University
1910
Co-founded the NAACP, a cornerstone of the civil rights movement
1919
Organizes the First Pan-African
Congress in
Paris Congress
1950
Runs for U.S. Senate in New York as a peace and civil rights candidate
WATCH
HIS STORY
PRESERVING HISTORY
The Proud To Be A Branch Project is dedicated to celebrating the life and influence of W. E. B. Du Bois, a pivotal figure in American history. Our shop offers a curated collection of memorabilia, and educational resources that honor his legacy and impact on civil rights and social justice. We strive to inspire future generations by providing insights into Du Bois's profound contributions to society. Visit us to explore his story and join us in keeping his vision alive for a more equitable world.
GONE BUT NOT
Forgotten
The Proud To Be A Branch Project is dedicated to celebrating the life and influence of W. E. B. Du Bois, a pivotal figure in American history. We honor his legacy and impact on civil rights and social justice. The contributions W.E.B. Du Bois leaves behind are endless. His influence and insights will impact the world for generations to come.
A Life Dedicated to Liberation & Legacy
W.E.B. Du Bois was a trailblazing scholar, activist, and visionary whose impact stretched across education, social movements, and historical scholarship. As the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University, he studied at Fisk, Harvard, and the University of Berlin, focusing on philosophy, history, politics, and economics. His work fueled powerful social and political movements including Pan-Africanism, the Harlem Renaissance, civil rights, women’s liberation, and peace activism. Du Bois was also a co-founder of the NAACP and a pivotal force in cooperative economics and the Niagara Movement. Over an extraordinary 80-year publishing career, he became one of the first scholars to deeply examine the cultural retention of African heritage among African Americans, while shaping how Black contributions to history, culture, and politics are understood today.
A RENOWNED
Author
W.E.B. Du Bois was a renowned author whose powerful words shaped minds and movements. Over the course of his prolific career, he left behind a profound collection of literary works that continue to educate, challenge, and inspire generations. Through essays, books, and scholarly writings, Du Bois masterfully explored the complexities of race, identity, politics, and social justice—offering not just insight, but a call to action. His work remains a timeless resource for understanding the Black experience and envisioning a more just and equitable world.
HONORS & AWARDS
National
Institute
In 1943, Du Bois became the first African American admitted to the National Institute of Arts and Letters (now the American Academy of Arts and Letters).
Peace
Prize
In 1959, Du Bois was awarded the International Lenin Peace Prize for 'strengthening world peace'.
Harvard
Medal
In 2000, the first W. E. B. DuBois Medal was awarded. It is Harvard's highest honor in the field of African and African American studies.
Morris
Brown
A Proud Branch of W. E. B. Du Bois accepted an award from Morris Brown College during the 2024 Honors Convocation.
A INVITITATION WORTHY
of His Legacy
Du Bois had long been a vocal critic of racial injustice in the United States and had increasingly turned to socialist and Pan-Africanist ideas. In the 1950s, during the Red Scare, he was accused of being a communist, had his passport revoked, and faced legal persecution. Frustrated with systemic racism and the U.S. government’s hostility toward his activism, he accepted an invitation from Ghanaian President Kwame Nkrumah to move to Ghana and work on an Encyclopedia Africana. His wife, Shirley Graham Du Bois, moved to Ghana with him. In 1961, at age 93, he became a Ghanaian citizen and formally renounced his U.S. citizenship.
Celebrating W.E.B. Du Bois's Rich Legacy
The W.E.B. Du Bois Library is a 28 story tower at the heart of the UMass Amherst Campus. With access to over 4 million volumes, 9 million items, 500 plus databases, trained staff, and libraries around the world-we can help you get your research or personal interests started.
W.E.B. Du Bois: A Civil Rights Trailblazer in Focus
Join Fresberg Cartoon for a fun and educational spotlight on one of the most influential voices in Black history — W.E.B. Du Bois. This animated feature breaks down his powerful role in the African American Civil Rights Movement, making his legacy accessible to younger audiences. Learn how Du Bois used his voice, intellect, and activism to fight for justice, equality, and the future of generations to come.
"We should measure the prosperity of a nation not by the number of millionaires, but by the absence of poverty, the prevalence of health, the efficiency of the public schools, and the number of people who can [and] do read worthwhile books."