DIAC Highlight
Doctor Charles Nabors
We are pleased to highlight the University of Utah’s first black faculty member, Dr. Charles Nabors (1934 – 1986). Dr. Nabors was first appointed as a faculty member in our department, then called the Department of Anatomy, in 1958. In addition to being an accomplished scientist, he was a dedicated advocate for civil rights at the U and beyond.
Dr. Nabors was born in Cleveland, Ohio and attended Wabash College, before coming to the U. of Utah as a Ph.D student. As a faculty member, his research interests included the role of corticosteroid signaling in wound healing, and the endocrine correlates of cancer development. Dr. Nabors was very active in the University community, and worked to improve diversity and inclusion as the Assistant Dean for Minority Affairs for the School of Medicine, where he was widely admired by students and faculty alike.
Outside the U, Dr. Nabors was a well-respected political and civil rights activist, serving as a leader of the Utah chapter of the NAACP, a member of the Utah Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (1965-1972), and as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention and member of the Credentials Committee in 1968. He was a powerful force in the Utah civil rights movement, organizing some of the first anti-discrimination protests in state history. he was personally thanked for this work via a telegram directly from Senator Robert F Kennedy (3 weeks before he was assassinated) and a letter from Vice President Hubert H. Humphry. He then went on to assist George McGovern’s 1968 and 1972 presidential campaigns, where he clearly made a significant impact as George McGovern wrote a supporting letter for Dr. Nabors when applying for the position of Assistant Dean for Minority Affairs, saying “I had an opportunity to witness at first hand his organizational talent and his deep commitment to human rights.”. This nomination was also supported by Georgia state senator, Julian Bond who said “His ability to resolve conflicting views without stepping on the rights—or the pride—of conflicting groups or individuals makes him an excellent choice for this post.”.
Dr. Nabors was survived by his wife and 3 children. His legacy has been celebrated over the years, particularly during the ongoing Dr. Charles James Nabors, Ph.D. Conference Series hosted by the U’s Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. His work to promote equality in the sciences and beyond set a high standard for the department to live up to.
Links:
Mountain West Digital Library - Charles Nabors, Salt Lake City, Utah : an interview by Leslie Kelen
The Daily Utah Chronicle - Remembering Charles Nabors, the First Black Faculty Member at the U