Being Black in Walla Walla – A Historical Perspective

In 1978, Evan Hundley (’78) was a Sociology major and one of only a handful of Black students at Whitman College. After four years spent in close proximity to the campus, he wanted to learn more about the wider town of Walla Walla, especially its minority and lower income inhabitants. His research eventually took him to the doorsteps of nearly every African-American household within the city limits. What resulted is a remarkable document entitled “Being Black in Walla Walla” that chronicled the histories and perceptions of the town’s Black community. Almost fifty years later, Evan returns to Whitman to discuss his thesis, what he learned, and how his time in Walla Walla shaped his life. Co-presented with Stephen Hammond (’79).