Assistant Professor, School of Wellness, Education, Behavioral and Social Sciences
Michelle is an Assistant Professor of History and Africana Studies.
Professor Michelle Wright is the mind behind The Shades of Hilton project, which focuses on uncovering the hidden histories of African Americans in and around the Hilton Estate, located on the CCBC Catonsville Campus and its environs. This project was part of a broader initiative to recognize the contributions of enslaved and free Black individuals who lived and worked on the land from the 1600s to the present.
The Shades of Hilton Project includes a historical signage trail on the CCBC Catonsville campus, with signs that tell the stories of Black individuals like Remus Adams, a free Black blacksmith, and others who contributed to the estate's operations through forced labor. The initiative also explores the roles of enslaved workers in industries such as tobacco farming, ironwork, and horse racing. Additionally, significant historical discoveries have been made, including gravesites near the stone farmhouse, verified by cadaver-sniffing dogs.
Wright holds degrees in Black Studies, History and Political Science from The Ohio State University.
She is deeply involved in African American history throughout the state of Maryland, particularly in Baltimore and Frederick Counties. She has spoken internationally on topics concerning the international interconnectedness of the cultural and historical aspects of the African Diaspora. Her work extends to engaging students in critical thinking about history, cultural diversity, and the contributions of various populations to U.S. and world history. Wright also helps manage academic initiatives for students in the Humanities and Social Sciences areas.
Michelle has published books ranging from language instruction of Kiswahili to young children, political prisoners in the United States, and the political contributions of African American women to the discourse of American politics. She is currently working on two manuscripts, one on the history of Remus Adams and one about the African American history of Frederick County.
Wright's work emphasizes bringing these untold stories to the forefront, giving a voice to those who were marginalized in historical narratives, and engaging the community in understanding the deeper history of the area.
She currently teaches African American history, Native American history, and Africana Studies at CCBC.