Muhammad uses history to change minds

Many people spend their entire lives without ever challenging what it means to be black in America. But if you sit in any class taught by Baiyina Muhammad, you won't leave without questioning the world and defining your place in it.

"Dr. Muhammad has changed my view on history and society in so many ways," said David Thorton, a history senior. "She is truly a remarkable professor because she challenges us to look within ourselves to find the answer to the problems in today's world."

"She is one of my favorite instructors," said alumna Vanessa Jackson. "She is not a professor who allows her students to just float by without gaining some wisdom."

An alumna from Bennett College and a graduate of N.C. Central Univesity and Morgan State University, Muhammad raises her students' social awareness by helping them to learn how race, class and gender affect the lives of people.

Growing up in Patterson, N.J., Muhammad's passion for history began on a school trip to London.

"I was struck by the presence of black people and how similar my experience was to theirs," said Muhammad.

However, it wasn't until she went to Bennett College as an undergraduate that her anthropology professor Patrick Idoye ignited her interest in the African Diaspora. He helped Muhammad to truly see the common experience that Africans all over the world share.

"I thought ‘whatever he does, I want to do that'."

One of the marks of a good professor is that they practice what they preach in- and outside of the classroom.

At NCCU, Muhammad has spearheaded a woman's history conference for the past two years called "Black Women and Identity, Religion, and Community."

"Even though I am an African American male taking a women's history class, I feel like the way she related the material completely changed my view on the struggles that women face and the accomplishments that they have made throughout history," said Thorton.

At the conference students present their own historical research on many issues facing black women: leadership, politics, religion, family, community, identity and sexuality.

"Dr. Muhammad has an exceptional way of creatively drawing out the immense potential lying dormant within us," said Justine McNair, sociology senior. "Alongside the history, she brings in articles about contemporary issues that help us to engage our world and society more effectively."

Outside of NCCU, Muhammad taught a history course a history course at the N.C. Correctional Institution for Women in Raleigh. The course was centered on the black experience. The correctional institute is the largest maximum security women's facility in the state and houses predominantly white women.

"All my life, my mother did community work in prisons," said Muhammad. "So when I saw the opportunity to teach at the correctional facility, I saw it as a way to connect to the community the way my mother did."

Muhammad challenged a lot of her white students' preconceived notions and stereotypes about African Americans. She said that one inmate told her that the class taught her to realize that she was indeed, "tooled for success." She had grown to see how success doesn't just happen, that one must think and plan to do well.

In April 2009 Muhammad received an award for Exemplary Teaching and Mentoring in the College of Liberal Arts and in May 2010 she received the Award of Excellence from NCCU.

Muhammad will be recognized and awarded as part of the "Women of Note" for her outstanding work in the department of history, September 10.

Muhammad said she feels successful when she can raise her students' awareness. From the Black Experience to The History of Women at the graduate level, Muhammad seeks to show how today connects with the past.

"I hope to challenge students and to help them grow because we should be constantly evolving and improving ourselves as human beings," said Muhammad.

Muhammad has published a variety of essays on black businesses with a focus on the black press.

Muhammad is member of the Inclusion Advisory Board for Durham Parks and Recreation where she advocates for better programs and activities for people with special needs.

She is also a member of the Durham Chapter of the Autism Society where she partners with other parents over policy issues and school board decisions concerning student with special needs.

Muhammad is the mother of four boys and is married to Dwayne Brandon, a professor in NCCU's psychology department.