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

Carolina’s history comes to life on Instagram
One post shows what’s believed to be the oldest existing photo of UNC, a daguerreotype of sophomores from the 1850s. Another, posted on the first...
Sun Apr 19, 2026

Kenan Stadium: From football field to baseball diamond
The Savannah Bananas sold out Kenan Stadium twice in one weekend, bringing the team’s barnstorming version of baseball to Carolina’s 99-year-old flagship venue. But before...
Sat Apr 18, 2026

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Openings, Closings and Updates in October-December 2025
The fall marked several Eastgate Crossing shopping center tenants reopening in Chapel Hill after restoration from July’s Tropical Depression Chantal rain and flooding. On October...
Fri Apr 17, 2026

Tar Heels fans go bananas for Caleb Wilson before enjoying the Bananas show
Kenan Stadium was packed on a beautiful spring afternoon, and the atmosphere was bananas. And Tar Heels fans went bananas over one of their favorite...
Thu Apr 16, 2026