In 1966 and 1967, Deidre Dumas Labat and Reynold T. Décou became the first Black undergraduates at Tulane University and Newcomb College. Both Labat and Décou experienced blatant racism from their peers and teachers; yet, both persevered and have created a pathway for future Black students to attend Tulane University.  

Over the next several decades, more students of color began attending Tulane University, but there is an ongoing lack of diversity in the student body.  

Eugene Green III, a 2012 Tulane alumnus and New Orleans native, spoke about his experience as a student of color at Tulane.  

“I would say I’ve experienced microaggressions from a couple of teachers. It was regarding when they think [I’m] cheating on a test. Like one teacher thought, because my hat had a reflector [sticker] on it…that I had a mirror on the bottom of my hat,” Green said. “[I] had to go through a whole process with the board, and I was found not guilty, but it was all because he thought I had a mirror under my hat, and I was cheating on the test.” 

Despite his experience with racism at Tulane, Green was able to establish a friend group that shared similar identities and experiences. 

“I was able to make friends easily, mainly because [we were a part] of the same ethnic group, and we kind of just all clicked together because there weren’t that many, I would say, African Americans on campus,” Green said.  

Tulane reported that students of color made up 27% of the undergraduate student body of 2012.   

However, since then, Tulane has made some progress in increasing racial and socioeconomic diversity among the student body. In a 2022 analysis of the Tulane undergraduate student population, 29% identified as students of color.  

While racial diversity only increased slightly, the implementation of recent initiatives and programs to address racial disparities have promoted awareness of race and identity at Tulane. 

“In the four decades I’ve been here…I’ve seen significant change…I think with [Tulane’s most recent] president, there’s been a recommitment to [equity, diversity and inclusion], and how we move as an institution in a way that is from an anti-racist framework, from a position of equity and inclusion, not just diversity,” Carolyn Barber-Pierre, vice president of student affairs and multicultural affairs, said.  

Currently, Tulane has many multicultural student organizations, such as the Asian American Student Union, Tulane Black Student Union and Muslim Students Association, among others.  

Despite the efforts made by Tulane to promote diversity, many students of color report experiencing racism, specifically by white students.  

“I have experienced microaggressions and racism from people,” freshman Harrison Nanigbo said. 

During his freshman orientation, Nanigbo said that he felt excluded and isolated by other incoming students in his group. 

“The first week of orientation, I would talk to white people, mainly because it was [the] majority of my Wave Group… I just kind of felt the sense that…they weren’t really interested,” Nanigbo said. 

Nanigbo also said that he believes Tulane students question his abilities. He stated that Tulane students view him as “inferior to them” and they ask if he is “the help” or “on scholarship.” 

“When they pass you, they’ll…disregard your whole presence,” said Nanigbo. 

In addition to the student-run multicultural organizations, Tulane also has the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion to combat ongoing racism by demonstrating cultural awareness and challenging racist ideologies.  

Nanigbo stated that encouragement and support for people of color at Tulane is critical to bolster racial diversity. 

“I just think it’s important [to set] that basis and like sending that encouragement for the next people to come here, and just trusting in yourself that you’ll find your community. Because there is a community of black people on campus. It might be a little difficult to find them at first, but if you give yourself grace and put in the effort, you’ll find them eventually,” Nanigbo said. 

According to data from the Office of the University Registrar and the Office of Admission, demographics have shifted somewhat in the years between 2012 and 2022.  Students of color made up 29% of the 2022 student body, compared to 27% of the 2012 student body. African American students made up 10% and 7% in the 2012 and 2022 student bodies, respectively. Hispanic students have increased from 6% to 10% between the 2012 and 2022 student bodies. Asian, American Indian, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and multiracial students made up less 13% in each student body. Despite initiatives to increase racial diversity among the Tulane student body, the data shows that the racial distribution remained relatively unchanged between 2012 and 2022. 

“[Tulane has given me opportunities] to create programs to help [students] feel connected…but also give them the skills and experiences to go out and change the world. That’s what keeps me here. I think that’s what I see as positive change,” Barber-Pierre said. “But again, we still have a long way to go.”