A Legacy of Leaders and Best: Black Women’s Decades of Achievement and Community in CSP’s Summer Bridge Program

Join us for a special webinar celebrating the 50th anniversary of the University of Michigan’s Summer Bridge Program. Drawing on research spanning five decades of history, resilience, and leadership, Dr. Janella Benson will share her exploration of Black women’s experiences in the program, highlighting the relational, emotional, and academic support that shaped generations of leaders.

Through storytelling and reflection, this session will highlight how Summer Bridge provided academic and emotional support, cultivated community, and leadership among Black women navigating higher education during pivotal sociopolitical moments—including the student activism of the 1970s and 1980s, the infamous Supreme Court lawsuits and Proposition 2, and ongoing challenges to equity and inclusion.

Whether you are an alum, educator, student, or community member, this webinar celebrates the legacy and ongoing impact of the University of Michigan’s Comprehensive Studies Program Summer Bridge Program on Black women’s success, belonging, and lifelong achievement.