Mixing : Race, Higher Education, and the Case of Clyde Kennard

Clyde Kennard (1927–1963) was a determined and soft-spoken man whose fight to enroll at Mississippi Southern College (now the University of Southern Mississippi) in the 1950s highlighted the broader struggle for racial equality in education. Kennard’s efforts to desegregate higher education remain lesser known, but his impact on the movement for educational equality is undeniable. A veteran of the Korean War, Kennard’s desire to further his education led him to challenge the status quo, writing editorials in the Hattiesburg American in which he argued that educating people together, regardless of race, was essential for societal progress. His courageous stand against segregation subjected him to false arrests, imprisonment, and ultimately, his untimely death in 1963 without completing his degree. However, Kennard’s legacy persists as a symbol of the broader civil rights struggle, emphasizing the necessity of grassroots action in advancing justice. Through archival research and interdisciplinary analysis, Mixing: Race, Higher Education, and the Case of Clyde Kennard by Sherita L. Johnson, Cheryl D. Jenkins, Loren Saxton Coleman, and Rebecca A. Tuuri unearths Kennard’s story, examining his activism and contributions within the context of systemic racism and the fight for desegregation in higher education. This volume draws from periodicals, court documents, and student publications to recover Kennard’s case from the shadows of history. It emphasizes his efforts to empower African Americans and create lasting social change. Each chapter offers a unique perspective on Kennard’s life and legacy, particularly his influence on the Hattiesburg community and on students at the University of Southern Mississippi. Mixing is both a tribute to Kennard’s enduring fight for justice and a call to continue conversations about race, education, and social equity today.