“Go Make Great” The Norman Wilson Story

Grace Soelberg, the Latter-day Saint Collections Assistant in Special Collections has curated a new exhibit, “Go Make Great” The Norman Wilson Story.

Wilson was the first Black graduate of BYU.

Dr. Norman Wilson was born in Gibsland, Louisiana on January 17, 1913. He grew up on his parents’ farms where they grew cotton, vegetables and raised livestock. Though his parents were sharecroppers in the rural south, both they and Norman were taught to read by his cousin Allenia Wilson who had studied under Booker T. Washington. Wilson credits his parents and their sacrifices as the catalyst for his educational journey.

The public is invited to learn more of Dr. Wilson’s story by visiting the exhibition on level 1 of the library.