Welcome to the African American Documentation Project website. Here you will find anextensive archive of the history of African Americans at Indiana University. The African American Documentation Project strives to preserve the cultural and historical impact that African American students, faculty, and staff have made on the IU campus. We hope that you will find this website informative as you explore the rich legacy of African Americans at Indiana University. Again, welcome to the African American Documentation Project website!
Lawrence J. Hanks is currently an Associate Professor of Political Science at Indiana University Bloomington. He teaches and lectures nationally on a variety of topics. His research interests include African American politics, the politics of diversity, political ideology and thought, and the personal and political empowerment of individuals and groups. On April 7, 1999, he debated prominent conservative and anti-affirmative action activist Dinesh D’ Souza, author of The Death of Racism, on the issue of affirmative action at Indiana University.
Hanks is the author of Black Political Empowerment in Three Georgia Counties (1987); co-editor of Black and Multi-Racial Politics (2000); and 365 Days of Kwanzaa: A Daily Motivational Reader (2001); Daily Fruit: 365 Days of Fruit of the Spirit (2002); and The Alphabet of Success: And Inspirational Journal of Success (2004). Hanks was recently selected to Who’s Who in America.
From 1984-1993, Hanks served as the chair of Political Science at Tuskegee University. While at Tuskegee, he founded the Tuskegee University Debate Society and served as an advisor for the award winning Tuskegee University Model United Nations Team. From 1993-1998, Dr. Hanks served as the Dean for the Office of African American Affairs at Indiana University Bloomington. After graduating magna cum laude from Morehouse College in 1976, Hanks earned the Ph.D. in Government from Harvard University in 1984.
Hanks is the husband of Diane Gordon Hanks. He is the father of four children: Shonda Latrice, L. Julius II, Latoysha Joy, and Mahogany Arlette. He is passionate teacher, scholar, activist, solutionist, and proponent of positive thought and optimal living.