Twilight and Reason (twilightandreason.com) is production of the African American History of Higher Education Project (AAHHEP). AAHHEP is a nonprofit archive and museum without walls dedicated to preserving and interpreting the diverse experiences of Black people in North American institutions of higher education. If you would like to learn more about AAHHEP's programs and collections, email us at info@twilightandreason.com.

Twilight and Reason online magazine provides a mix of news, information, and perspectives on all subjects related to the relationship of African American people to the colleges and universities that enroll Black students and employ Black faculty, staff, and administrators.

Twilight and Reason is named for Alexander L. Twilight (left) and Charles L. Reason (right), 19th century pioneers widely recognized for their contributions toward opening U.S. colleges and universities to African American

participation. Alexander Lucius Twilight is one of the first African Americans known to have graduated from a U.S. college or university. Born to free Black parents in Corinth, Vermont, Twilight graduated from Middlebury College in 1823. He went on to serve as a Presbyterian minister, a school principal and, eventually, a member of the Vermont state legislature. Charles L. Reason is considered the first African American to hold a professorship at a predominantly white American college. In 1849 he was hired as professor of belles lettres, Greek, Latin, and French and adjunct professor of mathematics at New York Central College, in McGrawville (Cortland County). In 1852 Reason left the integrated New York Central College to become to first principal of Philadelphia’s Institute for Colored Youth (now Cheyney University).

Contact Us: info@twilightandreason.com