This website depicts the historical experiences of Black and African American people on the Washington University Medical Campus — students and other trainees, faculty, staff and patients.
A culmination of years of work, the timeline depicts just one segment of the larger history of racial justice. Its purpose is to inform the community, acknowledge past injustices and serve as a reminder of our institutional commitment to racial equity in our missions. It’s part of broad, ongoing efforts to foster inclusion and equity within our institutions and beyond.
“While we are witnessing efforts to suppress or whitewash history across the country, we are deliberately transparent about our history. Viewers will learn about the experiences of Black people and the upstanders who took action against racial injustice.”
Sherree Wilson, PhD, associate vice chancellor and associate dean of diversity and head of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Washington University School of Medicine
“We want everyone, especially those who may have been historically marginalized, to feel a true sense of belonging as they look to receive the extraordinary care we provide here. By acknowledging the generational impacts of past segregation and injustices on one group, we hope to spark conversations, learning and commitment to actions that promote healing and move equity forward for everyone.”
Steven Player, PharmD, MBA, CDM, BJC Health System vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion
Explore the timeline in person
This website is an expansion of a permanent exhibit stretching nearly 50 yards along a prominent wall on the Medical Campus.
Those who work on the Medical Campus are invited to view the Desegregation History Wall on the second-floor link of the Steven & Susan Lipstein BJC Institute of Health at Washington University School of Medicine.