Submit nominations for the BFSA's Indispensable Role of Blacks at Johns Hopkins (IRB) exhibit and induction by March 20. For details about the exhibit and its historical background, visit its website.
About the Indispensable Role of Blacks (IRB) at Johns Hopkins Exhibit and Induction
The Indispensable Role of Blacks at Johns Hopkins (IRB) exhibit is a collaborative initiative co-sponsored by Johns Hopkins University President Ronald J. Daniels, Johns Hopkins Development and Alumni Relations (formerly the Office of External Affairs and Development), the Johns Hopkins University Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA), and the Fred Scott Brigade, represented by Dr. John F. Guess Jr. This initiative seeks to honor and showcase the achievements of Black individuals who have made a lasting impact on Johns Hopkins University and beyond.
Through this project, we celebrate the contributions of trailblazing Black faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members who have shaped the university's legacy. Explore the profiles of these distinguished individuals and their profound influence on Johns Hopkins.
Join Us in Honoring Black Excellence
The continued growth of this initiative depends on your engagement and nominations. We invite you to help expand this historical archive by nominating outstanding individuals whose contributions align with the project's mission. Review the criteria and submit nominations through our nomination form.
By participating, you help ensure that the legacies of Black excellence at Johns Hopkins are celebrated and preserved, and inspire generations to come. See this page for key milestones in the development of the IRB Project (2003-2017) which include a timeline and key achievements to reinforce the historical significance.
Indispensable Roles of Blacks (IRB) nomination form
The 2012 project launched as both a traveling and online exhibit, reaching across all Johns Hopkins campuses to ensure widespread engagement. The individuals honored—trailblazers in medicine, research, education, public service, and other fields—were formally recognized during the BFSA's annual Juneteenth Celebration. Their stories not only highlight past achievements but also inspire future generations of Black scholars and professionals.
The BFSA remains committed to expanding this historical record by inducting new honorees into the online exhibit. The Johns Hopkins community—students, alumni, faculty, and staff—are invited to actively participate in this ongoing initiative by submitting nominations and sharing untold stories that deserve recognition. In doing so, we continue to illuminate the indispensable role of Black excellence at Johns Hopkins, ensuring that these legacies are celebrated, preserved, and serve as a beacon for generations to come.
For information on requirements for nominees and on the nomination form, go to the exhibit's website
