More than 90 years ago, poet Langston Hughes visited UNC amidst controversy

Posted Apr 20, 2023
When Langston Hughes, a world-renowned poet, author and playwright was invited to speak at the then all-white University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1931, the event caused a major stir. The university was strongly criticized for inviting Hughes to campus and UNC president Frank Graham received many letters calling for the visit to be canceled. (WFAE)

Related: Campus Connections

Student-owned coffee shop The Grounds opens on Franklin Street
The best word to describe the past month of UNC students Emily Lutgring and Allison Travis' lives is synchronicity. In the fall, both Lutgring, 20,...
Sat Jun 20, 2026

Carolina Cupboard serves as a food and supply pantry for UNC students, staff and community
Located in the Student and Academic Services Building North, Carolina Cupboard is UNC's food pantry that offers food, hygiene products and general supplies to both...
Fri Jun 19, 2026

America’s first public university is also its flagship
The 250-year history of the United States runs parallel to the history of UNC. In the same year the nation declared independence, North Carolina’s first...
Thu Jun 18, 2026

Nine Tar Heels Pick Up CSC At-Large Academic All-District Honors
Each year, the College Sports Communicators organization highlights student-athletes from across the country for their performances in competition and in the classroom. In the at-large...
Tue Jun 16, 2026