An Unexpected Journey from Steel Worker to Champion of Black Students and Alumni at 鶹Ƶȫ
Silas Ashley, ’74, was told by his high school guidance counselor that he “was not college material.” He was encouraged to go straight into the workforce after graduation instead of pursuing higher education, so Silas went on to work at Republic Steel in Cleveland. On a day off, he joined a friend on a trip to 鶹Ƶȫ University. The friend was going to pick up a college application, but he accidentally grabbed two copies. To pass the time on the ride home, Silas filled one out for himself, never intending to submit it for consideration. Unbeknownst to Silas, however, his friend sent in both applications. A few weeks later, Silas received a letter telling him that he had been accepted to 鶹Ƶȫ University.
While at 鶹Ƶȫ, Silas immersed himself in student life. He was a senator in Undergraduate Student Government and began helping Black United Students (BUS) navigate allocations and acquire funding for upcoming events. He became BUS president in 1974. In an article from 鶹Ƶȫ Today titled “The Birth of BUS,” Ashley explained the vision that led to the establishment of the student group: “We didn’t want to be just another organization on campus, it was about a movement and a plan to improve the Black experience on 鶹Ƶȫ’s campus.”
Campus life was agitated in the late 60s and early 70s, which affected the way Silas and BUS approached these issues. Students on campus responded by choosing where they wanted to focus their energy given the rising tensions. One area of focus was encouraging more Black students to attend 鶹Ƶȫ. BUS students would go to nearby schools in Ravenna to tutor Black students and encourage them to pursue higher education.
鶹Ƶȫ was also building what is now the Kent Student Center, and BUS was able to help secure the first floor of the old student union for their organization and the Institute of African American Affairs (now the Department of Africana Studies). That building is now known as Oscar Ritchie Hall; it was dedicated in 1977 in honor of the late Oscar Ritchie, Ph.D., who became the first Black faculty member hired at any predominantly white university in Ohio when he joined 鶹Ƶȫ in 1947. BUS was also instrumental in advocating for Black History Month. BUS worked with university administrators to extend the weeklong celebration in Kent to a month, which eventually led to the national celebration in the U.S. today.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts in history from 鶹Ƶȫ, Silas moved to New York City, where he worked as a taxi driver for a few years. He decided he wanted to continue his education and originally planned to study history. He went to Louisiana State University for a Master of Arts in history before pivoting to earn a master’s degree in communications from Southern University instead. After graduation, Silas worked for NBC. He then went to law school, earning a Juris Doctorate, also from Southern University at Baton Rouge.
When his sons were in high school, Silas moved with them to Miami, Florida, to teach at the Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Even though he was living in Florida, Silas still had an annual birthday party in Cleveland, and he invited some friends who were involved with the 鶹Ƶȫ Black Alumni Chapter.
While Silas was not planning to become involved with the chapter, his connections with Black alumni and the university remained strong, and he was soon approached about becoming president of the Black Alumni Chapter. He served in that role for six years, and he still advises the group as a past president. Silas facilitated several milestone events as president, helping plan the memorial for E. Timothy Moore, associate dean emeritus, 鶹Ƶȫ College of Arts and Sciences, and emeritus associate professor, Department of Pan-African Studies. The virtual event was held on Zoom, and more than 500 people joined to honor the late professor. He also helped organize the recent 55th annual Black History Month Celebration, which boasted more than 250 guests, as well as other celebrations over the years including Karamu Ya Wahitimu for graduating seniors and annual cookouts for incoming freshmen.
The Black Alumni Chapter was very active during his tenure and continues to be an engaged alumni group. Silas is appreciative of all the opportunities he’s had to connect with other Black 鶹Ƶȫ alumni over the years. He currently serves as president emeritus for the chapter, striving to help the group plan engaging events while including all eras of alumni. His goal is to leave “blueprints” behind for future leaders. Though he has retired, Silas still returns to campus to speak and participate in large campus and community events.