The National Defense Education Act (NDEA) was a law passed in 1958 in response to growing concerns that the American scientists and mathematicians were too few in number to keep pace with the Soviet Union. At its original conception, funding from the NDEA only applied to universities and postsecondary students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematic fields; however, in 1964 the act was amended to include funds for future professors in history, civics, and geography. Several universities and colleges received funding for intensive, short-term institutes that would offer advance training in specified fields. In the summer of 1966, Spelman College in Georgia hosted a lecture program by the NDEA Institute in History called, “America and the Negro: The History of an Encounter.” Directed by Dr. Melvin Drimmer, the program encompassed African American literature, poetry, fine arts, religion, and political culture and intended to further educate those teaching African History.

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