Dr. TaKeia N. Anthony Appointed as Director of Freddye T. Davy Honors College, Releases Groundbreaking Book on Historic Sorority’s Pioneering Philanthropy
HAMPTON, VA — Hampton University proudly announces the appointment of Dr. TaKeia N. Anthony as the new Director of the Freddye T. Davy Honors College. A distinguished historian, acclaimed author, and thought leader in African Diaspora studies, Dr. Anthony brings an expansive vision rooted in scholarship, cultural stewardship, and the elevation of Black intellectual legacy.
In addition to her new role, Dr. Anthony has published her latest work titled Delta Research and Educational Foundation: 55 Years of Black Women’s Intellectualism and Philanthropy, 1967–2022, a sweeping chronicle of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s foundation. The book explores the creation and evolution of the Delta Research and Educational Foundation (DREF), the first Black sorority-owned philanthropic foundation, and places its leaders at the center of Black women’s intellectual and philanthropic histories.
“Dr. Anthony’s scholarship exemplifies the power of archival memory and collective excellence,” said Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams. “Her work enriches the culture of honors education at Hampton and furthers our charge to develop visionary leaders who serve with both brilliance and purpose.”
Dr. Anthony joins Hampton University following a trailblazing career across the HBCU landscape, where she has served in senior academic leadership roles at Edward Waters University, Kentucky State University, and North Carolina Central University. Her international research and lectures span six countries, and her work as a curator and public historian continues to preserve and amplify African American narratives across generations.
A native of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and the first African American woman from her hometown to earn a Ph.D. in history, Dr. Anthony is a two-time alumna of North Carolina Central University and Howard University. Her earlier book, The Universal Ethiopian Students’ Association, 1927–1948: Mobilizing Diaspora, expanded the understanding of Pan-African student movements and diasporic resistance.
At Hampton, Dr. Anthony will lead the Freddye T. Davy Honors College with a deep commitment to academic rigor, interdisciplinary research, and the celebration of global Black excellence. As a 2023 Freedom Scholar Award recipient from the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) and a current fellow of the HBCU Executive Leadership Institute at Clark Atlanta University, Dr. Anthony’s leadership is poised to elevate Hampton’s honors education to new heights.
“Joining Hampton University is both a homecoming to academic and scholarly purpose and a call to advance our intellectual legacy,” said Dr. Anthony. “As we nurture the next generation of scholars, I’m committed to preserving our past while charting bold, innovative futures for Black thought and liberation.”
Delta Research and Educational Foundation: 55 Years of Black Women’s Intellectualism and Philanthropy, 1967–2022 is now available and contributes significantly to the growing body of the sorority’s literature that includes works like In Search of Sisterhood by Paula Giddings and Advocacy and Action: 100 Years of Social Action in Delta Sigma Theta.
ABOUT HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
Hampton University is a Carnegie R2-designated research institution, recognized for its groundbreaking research in atmospheric science, cancer treatment, and cybersecurity. Contributing $530 million annually to the regional and Commonwealth of Virginia economies, Hampton plays a vital role in driving economic development while championing diversity, inclusion, and opportunity. The university was recently named one of the “Best Colleges in America” by Money Magazine and recognized as the “Best Private College” by Coastal Virginia.
Founded in 1868, Hampton University is a close-knit community of learners and educators, representing 44 states and 32 territories, committed to nurturing intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and global citizenship. Visit: www.hamptonu.edu.
For more information, please contact Mahogany Waldon in the Office of University Relations at mahogany.waldon@hamptonu.edu or 757-727-5987.
