Final answer:
Influenced by leaders like Stokely Carmichael, Black students in the late 1960s pushed for the creation of Black Studies programs, marking a significant cultural and academic change, and were a part of the larger Black Power movement, which advocated for self-empowerment and the celebration of Black identity through education.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the late 1960s, many Black students at universities who pushed for Black Studies programs were part of the Black Power movement. Influenced by figures such as Stokely Carmichael, also known as Kwame Ture, who was a proponent of Black self-determination and empowerment, the students sought to reclaim their heritage and celebrate their identity through education. For Carmichael, and others in this movement, there was a focus on the creation of African American institutions and reclaiming an African heritage in response to the prevailing systemic inequalities and racism.
The notion of Black is Beautiful emerged during this era through the efforts to redefine the historically derogatory connotation of the color black, transforming it into a symbol of pride and beauty, as seen in the evolution of 'soul style' amongst college students. The emergence of African American Studies programs in universities represented both an academic and cultural transformation, acknowledging the value and significance of Black history and literature in the broader narrative of American education.
This shift to emphasize education as a means of self-empowerment was multi-faceted, encompassing the belief that understanding one's heritage and culture was a critical component of the fight against oppression, and cultivating a space for Black intellectual thought within higher education institutions.