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University buildings and grounds

Upendo Lounge

In Chapel Hill. 20 dated events, 1972–1989.

Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Site locations from the N.C. State Historic Preservation Office survey, Open Orange, Orange County GIS, OpenStreetMap and a few other published sources named on each site’s page; town and community pins show approximate locations.

People in its history

People named in events about this site, ordered by number of mentions. Each example links to an entry with a source citation.

Sites linked through the same people

  • Chase Hall through N. Ferebee Taylor and Sonja Haynes Stone
  • Memorial Hall through N. Ferebee Taylor and Sonja Haynes Stone

In the chronology

  1. The BSM gets the old Mini-Union in Chase Cafeteria for a Black student center Through the Office of Student Affairs and the Carolina Union, the BSM acquired the former Mini-Union space in Chase Cafeteria for a Black student center, which opened as Upendo the next February. Black Ink (Black Student Movement, UNC), October 1972, p. 4
  2. Black students form the Black Christian Fellowship, later the United Christian Fellowship Black students formed the Black Christian Fellowship in 1973 to promote the gospel and offer fellowship and Christian services to Black students; in 1977 it took the name United Christian Fellowship to soften the racial tone of the old name. It held weekly Bible studies and, with the Bread of Life Ministry, Sunday services in Upendo Lounge. Black Ink (Black Student Movement, UNC), August 20, 1979, p. 6
  3. Imamu Amiri Baraka speaks at UNC on a Black revolutionary party Poet and activist Imamu Amiri Baraka laid out three criteria for a revolutionary party, nationalism, Pan-Africanism and socialism, and urged Black student unions to organize around concrete issues. A reception for him was held in the Black Student Movement's new Upendo center. Black Ink (Black Student Movement, UNC), February 1973, p. 1
  4. The Black Student Movement opens Upendo Lounge in Chase Hall Upendo, Swahili for love, opened as a Black student lounge in Chase Hall under the Black Student Movement, with a dedication and a party. It replaced an old mini-union and was open to the whole campus. The Daily Tar Heel, February 16, 1973, p. 2
  5. Black faculty and staff meet to organize a caucus at UNC On the eve of University Day, Black faculty and staff members met and agreed to work together as a caucus, electing Black campus minister Preston Jones as coordinator. The Foundation for a Black Campus Ministry was also holding Sunday services in Upendo Lounge. Black Ink (Black Student Movement, UNC), October 1973, p. 3
  6. The BSM and Black Business Association open a book co-op in Upendo Lounge To beat low buy-back prices at the Student Stores, the BSM and the Black Business Association collected students' used books in Upendo Lounge for resale at prices the sellers set, with payment the next semester. Black Ink (Black Student Movement, UNC), December 1974, p. 1
  7. The University Space Committee votes to move the Chase cafeteria into Upendo Lounge's space The University Space Committee decided to move the Servomation cafeteria from the second to the first floor of Chase Hall, taking the room the Black Student Movement had used as Upendo Lounge without promising it other space. The BSM, which said it was neither consulted nor told, met Dean of Student Affairs Donald Boulton and Chancellor N. Ferebee Taylor and held a press conference, but Taylor declined to overrule the committee. People: N. Ferebee Taylor Black Ink (Black Student Movement, UNC), October 19, 1976, p. 3
  8. Black students march in silent protest at University Day over Upendo Lounge While administrators and faculty paraded for University Day, Black Student Movement members marched in silent protest against the loss of Upendo Lounge, one placard saying they would not stand by and be insulted. Dean Donald Boulton praised their quiet dignity, and during the Space Committee's review of its decision he guaranteed the BSM room on the second floor of Chase. Black Ink (Black Student Movement, UNC), November 2, 1976, p. 8
  9. The BSM refuses new Upendo space until it gets an apology Dean of Student Affairs Donald Boulton offered the Black Student Movement 2,000 square feet on the second floor of Chase for a new Upendo Lounge. The BSM general body voted not to accept it until Boulton and the Space Committee apologized and promised that students would be consulted on such decisions, and it sent letters instead of attending a planning meeting the next day. Black Ink (Black Student Movement, UNC), November 9, 1976, p. 3
  10. The rebuilding of Chase and Upendo Lounge's move upstairs are put off a year The university had settled on moving Upendo Lounge to about 2,000 square feet on the second floor of Chase, with renovation to begin after the May 1977 commencement and the new lounge to open that October. When construction bids came in well over budget the work was put off to the spring and summer of 1978, leaving Upendo where it was. Black Ink (Black Student Movement, UNC), September 9, 1977, p. 1
  11. The Black Student Movement marks its tenth anniversary with a week of events The BSM opened its tenth-anniversary week with a march down Franklin Street and through campus that also served as a memorial to Martin Luther King Jr., followed by a Black faculty and staff night, a club night in Upendo Lounge and a cultural night in Memorial Hall with the Opeyo Dancers, the Gospel Choir and the Ebony Readers. The week ended with an awards banquet in Kenan Field House on March 17 and a picnic on March 18. Black Ink (Black Student Movement, UNC), March 23, 1978, p. 2
  12. Bernice Reagon sings at an Afro-American Studies open house in Upendo Lounge The Afro-American Studies curriculum held an open house in Upendo Lounge at which the folk singer and oral historian Bernice Reagon sang and explained Black songs and the Opeyo Dancers performed. Director Sonja Stone's program announced plans for its tenth anniversary in spring 1979, including a dinner honoring its first director, James Brewer. People: Sonja Haynes Stone Black Ink (Black Student Movement, UNC), November 6, 1978, p. 1
Show all 20 dated events
  1. Harry Amana directs the Black Press Institute's second summer journalism seminar UNC journalism professor Harry Amana directed the Southeastern Black Press Institute's 1979 summer seminar for 11 high school students from five Southern states, which ended with five-day internships at newspapers in Greensboro and Winston-Salem and a graduation in Upendo Lounge on August 7. Black Ink (Black Student Movement, UNC), August 20, 1979, p. 3
  2. Afro-American studies and Black Ink award prizes in their first poetry contest Winners of the Words, Rhythm and Rhyme contest, open to college students across the state and drawing over 100 entries, were announced at the African and Afro-American studies spring open house in a full Upendo Lounge. The Ebony Readers performed the top poems and actor Thalmus Rasulala made a guest appearance. Black Ink (Black Student Movement, UNC), May 5, 1981, p. 3
  3. A split over the Gospel Choir leads to an impeachment petition and frozen BSM funds Through the fall of 1982 a BSM faction tied to the Gospel Choir pressed a petition, signed by a majority of members, to impeach the chairperson; the central committee would not co-sign it. Several officers resigned, the chairperson took a leave of absence, and according to Black Ink the student government froze the BSM's funds and Black Ink lost a vote of confidence before the finance committee. Black Ink (Black Student Movement, UNC), December 2, 1982, p. 6
  4. The BSM holds a press conference on the future of Upendo Lounge BSM president Sherrod Banks, with Black Greek leaders, called a press conference over plans to turn renovated Chase Hall into a South Campus Union without consulting the groups that used Upendo Lounge. Vice Chancellor Harold Wallace said the promises of a 1976 memorandum on Chase Hall would be kept and the BSM would have space upstairs, and talks with the Union followed. Black Ink (Black Student Movement, UNC), October 27, 1983, p. 6
  5. Upendo Lounge reopens on the second floor of the new South Campus Union After a long renovation of Chase Hall, Upendo Lounge reopened on the second floor of the South Campus Union, no longer reserved for the BSM. Under Union rules Black organizations had priority for one test year if they booked ahead, and parties had to end by 2 a.m., which the Black Greek Council said would cut into its fund-raising. Black Ink (Black Student Movement, UNC), October 19, 1984, p. 1
  6. The Carolina Gay and Lesbian Association holds its ninth Lesbian and Gay Awareness Week The week included a lunchtime workshop, Blacks and Gays: Breaking Down Barriers, at which speakers from the Triangle Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays, the association and the Black Student Movement addressed about 35 people, and a concert by the Common Woman Chorus. It closed with a Blue Jeans Dance in Upendo Lounge on April 11. Lambda (Carolina Gay and Lesbian Association, UNC), April 1986, p. 12
  7. The BSM and the Black Greek Council hold Black Awareness Week Black Awareness Week brought the sixth Minority Career Fair to Great Hall on October 7, with about 60 companies; a program by the Ebony Readers, the BSM Gospel Choir and the Opeyo Dancers on October 8; a Black Greek Council step show that raised $1,600 for Shaw University; and on October 12 a talk on Black women's unity by journalism professor Regina Sherard at a reception of the three Black sororities. Black Ink (Black Student Movement, UNC), November 6, 1986, p. 6
  8. Brothers, a weekly discussion group for Black male students, begins Counselor Clifford Charles, coordinator of minority student programs, began Brothers, a weekly discussion group for and about Black male students, meeting Thursday evenings in Upendo Lounge in Chase Hall. In its second year it moved to Ehringhaus and added guest speakers on topics from identity to AIDS. Black Ink (Black Student Movement, UNC), October 27, 1989, p. 7

Open these in the chronology →

Indexed works

The index has no works about Upendo Lounge itself yet. The surveys and maps below cover where it stands. Search the index for Upendo Lounge, or tell us about a book or record we have missed.

Surveys and maps of the area

Not about Upendo Lounge alone: the architectural surveys that cover its town or the county, and maps drawn while it stood. Several of the surveys can be read free online at NC Digital Collections.

The Town and Gown Architecture of Chapel Hill, North Carolina: 1795-1975

Little-Stokes, Margaret Ruth · 2006

Margaret Ruth Little-Stokes's survey of Chapel Hill's town and campus buildings from 1795 to 1975, published by the Preservation Society of Chapel Hill in 2006. Chapters run from the first campus buildings through David Swain's romantic campus to midcentury modernism, followed by area surveys of the campus, east and west Chapel Hill, downtown, Northside and the suburbs.

Included because: A survey or map of the town or county where the site stands.

NC Cardinal UNC Duke NC State Durham Chapel Hill PL Library of Congress CH Historical Society

The town and gown architecture of Chapel Hill, 1795-1975

Little, M. Ruth · 2004 · Preservation Society of Chapel Hill

M. Ruth Little's 2004 architectural history of Chapel Hill and the university campus from 1795 to 1975, written for the Preservation Society of Chapel Hill. A 99-page survey with a bibliography.

Included because: A survey or map of the town or county where the site stands.

NC Cardinal NC Digital Collections DPLA

NC Digital Collections record courtesy of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Chapel Hill historic sites survey : final report.

Gatza, M. B. · 1992 · Chapel Hill Planning Department

M. B. Gatza's final report of the 1992 Chapel Hill historic sites survey for the town Planning Department, with contributions by Beverly C. Kawalec and Catherine Bishir. It covers historic buildings and districts in Chapel Hill in 80 pages.

Included because: A survey or map of the town or county where the site stands.

NC Cardinal NC Digital Collections DPLA

NC Digital Collections record courtesy of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Occupants and Structures of Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina at 5-Year Intervals, 1793-1998

Bryant, Bernard Lee · 1999 · Chapel Hill Historical Society

Bernard Lee Bryant's compilation of who occupied each structure on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill at five-year intervals from 1793 to 1998, issued by the Chapel Hill Historical Society in 1999 as a photocopy of his original computer printout on cotton paper. 191 leaves.

Included because: A survey or map of the town or county where the site stands.

UNC

Found a book OCPL doesn’t own? You can often borrow it through interlibrary loan at OCPL.

Start at OCPL

    Where to look on the shelf

    These books don’t necessarily mention Upendo Lounge, but they cover where it stands, its kind of building and the land, family and burial records behind it, and they are where a search for a place like this usually goes next. All are at OCPL, most in the Wall Collection.

    Histories of the town and county

    • Rebecca Wall Collection · NC 975.656 STO Chapel Hill: A Pictorial History Stolpen, Steven · 1978

      Steven Stolpen's pictorial history of Chapel Hill, one of the Donning Company's photographic town histories, published in Norfolk, Virginia in 1978. Photographs and portraits carry the story of the town and the university, including references to Thomas Wolfe's years as a student at Carolina. 156 pages with illustrations.

    • Foundational · 975.656 RYAN Orange County Trio: Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro, North Carolina, Histories and Tour Guides Ryan, Elizabeth Shreve · 2004

      Elizabeth Shreve Ryan's combined histories and tour guides for Hillsborough, Chapel Hill and Carrboro, the three towns of Orange County, with the University of North Carolina treated alongside Chapel Hill. Each town gets a narrative history and a tour of its streets and buildings. Published by Chapel Hill Press in 2004, 369 pages with illustrations and maps.

    Buildings and surveys

    • Foundational · NC 720.975 BIS A Guide to the Historic Architecture of Piedmont North Carolina Bishir, Catherine W. · 2003

      Catherine W. Bishir and Michael T. Southern's field guide to the historic buildings of the North Carolina Piedmont, arranged county by county from Wake and Franklin in the east to Mecklenburg and Gaston in the west. The Orange County section takes in Hillsborough, Chapel Hill and Carrboro along with the rural county, with entries on individual buildings and maps for finding them. Published 2003, 596 pages with illustrations and maps.

    • Foundational · NC 917.56 HIS Historic Buildings and Landmarks of Chapel Hill, N.C Chapel Hill Historical Society · 1973

      A pocket-sized guide to the historic buildings and landmarks of Chapel Hill, prepared by the Chapel Hill Historical Society and printed by Creative Printers in 1973. Forty pages with illustrations and maps, 14 by 22 cm. Topics include architecture, historic buildings and historic districts in Chapel Hill, and the guide is useful for a walking tour of the older parts of town.

    Research sources

    Sources cited in this site’s history, National Register documents, and places to get research help. Research guide: Investigate a school or community institution.

    Historic sites, markers, and maps

    Records of the time 22

    Show all 22

    Collections and databases

    Local help 5

    Nearby

    Two mice reading back to back against a leaf, with the hand-lettered words Friends of the Orange County Public Library
    Illustration by Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell, gifted to the Friends 2026