An interview with Professor Lucius Outlaw: A Pioneering Black Philosopher

An Oral History Project Conducted by John Robert Lewis Scholar Hananeel Morinville

Project Description

This project explores the legacy of Professor Lucius Outlaw, a pioneering Black philosopher, through an in-depth interview reflecting on his time as a student and student body president at Fisk University in the 1960s. Centering Fisk’s pivotal role in the civil rights movement, the project examines Outlaw’s intellectual formation, his lifelong engagement with W.E.B. Du Bois, and the enduring power of HBCUs in cultivating Black leadership. It also considers the intersections of race, gender, and activism on campus, offering a rich portrait of how historical memory, education, and philosophy shape movements for justice across generations.