Dr. Dolly Jenkins-Mullen discusses the importance of sitting with elders and the impact of Black educators. Arriving in Asheville in 1984, Jenkins-Mullen spent a few years as an adjunct professor at UNC Asheville and then, in 1986, taught night classes at nearby Mars Hill as the only Black professor. When she received tenure at UNCA, Jenkins-Mullen was an Associate Professor of Political Science and went on to help establish the African American Colloquium in 1991. The goal was to help Black freshmen better understand their identity as they transitioned to college at UNCA. Jenkins-Mullen retired in 2018.

A native of Baltimore, Jenkins-Mullen attended Morgan State University and Atlanta University (now called Clark Atlanta University).

Interview by Michael S. Williams | Photos, videos by Julia Wall

Dr. Dolly Jenkins-Mullen

"I knew I was going to college in elementary school."

"We used to navigate our children through the Black teachers."

"I have no problem going out in the street."

Sitting with elders means "you are not alone."

"You don't have an option" not to be involved.

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