. . "The founding of the college was unique as a collaboration in 1856 by the Cincinnati, Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME). They planned a college to provide classical education and teacher training for black youth. Leaders of both races made up the first board members."@en . . . "1926"^^ . "politician and civil rights activist, who is considered one of the most influential African-Americans in the history of Kansas City, Missouri"@en . "U.S. Congressman, Wilberforce-President"@en . . . "American sociologist and Harvard University professor"@en . "first African American woman to be an officer in the Women\u2019s Army Auxiliary Corps and was the commanding officer of the first battalion of African American women to serve overseas during WWII."@en . "1924"^^ . . . . . . . "Economist"@en . "1932"^^ . "Wilberforce_University_Seal.jpg"@en . . "Recipient of the Medal of Honor"@en . "1856"^^ . . . "business executive and civil rights leader"@en . . "1938"^^ . . "Private, HBCU"@en . "489"^^ . "basketball"@en . . "African-American doctor notable for self-defense in 1925 against a white mob's attempt to force him out of his Detroit neighborhood, and acquittal at trial."@en . "American musician; member of the Count Basie Orchestra"@en . "The founding of the college was unique as a collaboration in 1856 by the Cincinnati, Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME). They planned a college to provide classical education and teacher training for black youth. Leaders of both races made up the first board members. When the number of students fell due to the American Civil War and financial losses closed the college, in 1863 the AME Church purchased the institution to ensure its survival. Its first president, AME Bishop Daniel A. Payne, was one of the original founders. Prominent supporters and the US government donated funds for rebuilding after a fire in 1865. When the college added an industrial department in the late 19th century, state legislators could sponsor scholarship students. The college attracted the top professors of the day, including W. E. B. Du Bois. In the 19th century, it enlarged its mission to include students from South Africa. The university supports the national Association of African American Museums to broaden the reach of its programs and assist smaller museums with professional standards."@en . . "By one\u2019s own toil, effort, courage"@en . . . . . . "--06-16"^^ . "the first African American to receive a Ph.D. from a German university, and also the first African American with a Ph.D. to teach psychology in the United States"@en . "1982"^^ . . "Rural"@en . . . "pioneering civil rights activist"@en . . "United States"@en . . "entrepreneur"@en . "Gilbert Haven Jones"@en . . "Patrica Hardaway"@en . "Wilberforce University"@en . "Suo Marte"@en . . "American jazz and rhythm and blues bandleader, singer, pianist, and drummer"@en . "Bulldogs"@en . . "Software Architect"@en . "2005"^^ . "U.S. Army chaplain and Buffalo Soldier"@en . . . . . . "1873"^^ . "Seal of Wilberforce University"@en . "educator, writer and activist"@en . . . "American jazz composer and theorist"@en . . "Opera singer and first African-American prima donna of the Metropolitan Opera"@en . . "1881"^^ . . . . . "former college football coach at Southern University from 1936 to 1961. He also coached at Jarvis Christian College, Bishop College, Texas College. Member of College Football Hall of Fame"@en . "composer and conductor: the first African American to conduct a major American orchestra, the first to have a symphony performed by a leading orchestra, and the first to have an opera performed by a major opera company"@en . . . "1902"^^ . "U.S. Foreign Service Officer"@en . "American jazz musician"@en . . "Wilberforce University"@en . "city commissioner and first African-American mayor of Dayton, Ohio"@en . . "Green and Gold"@en . . . . . . . "playwright, librarian, and member of the Harlem Renaissance"@en .