Dr. Reginald Wilson

Dr. Reginald Wilson died suddenly at his home in Bradenton on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. Reginald and his wife also had a home in Washington, D. C. and travelled between the two homes frequently. Reginald was born February 24, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan to Oliver Wilson and Nancy McCrimmon Golden. Reginald was a Tuskegee Airman, Director of Black Studies at University of Detroit, a trained Clinical Psychologist, President of Wayne County Community College in Detroit, Senior Scholar at the Office of Minority Concerns at the American Council on Education, Washington, D.C. He has held numerous other positions in education. Dr. Wilson also held positions on the Boards of many educational institutions and was an Adjunct Professor at many colleges and universities.

A Civil Rights Activist, fighter for social justice and outstanding educator, Dr. Wilson leaves a great legacy of social justice and civil rights work. He wrote speeches with Dr. Martin Luther King, introduced Dr. King in Detroit, in the 60’s. His Civil Rights work included working with People Acting for Change Together (PACT) and with New Perspectives on Race in the 70’s and 80’s in Detroit. He continued working on issues of Civil Rights and Social Justice all his life. In recent years, he attended the Women’s March in Washington, DC with Dianne and numerous protests in Sarasota. Fl.

Reginald received his Bachelors’ Degree, Master’s Degree and Doctorate from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

Three energetic and daring young men: Frank Blount, William Morgan and Reginald Wilson founded the Jim Dandy Ski Club in Detroit, Michigan, in 1958, establishing the 1st African-American ski club in the United States. All the pieces that necessitated such an event had fallen into place: their earlier introduction into skiing, new local ski areas opening, and small pockets of local African-Americans skiing. Unfortunately, this enthusiasm coincided with a lukewarm reception from a local college ski club where they felt somewhat left out of after- ski activities. Blount, Morgan and Wilson set out to interest other African-Americans in forming a ski club. It would serve to provide a friendlier environment in which to travel, ski and enjoy after-ski activities.

Upon completing their constitution, they decided to name the club, the JIM DANDY SKI CLUB OF DETROIT, after a musical hit recording, “Jim Dandy to the Rescue” song by rhythm and blues singer, Lavern Baker. About 23 skiers responded to the call to form the Jim Dandy Ski Club of Detroit during the 1958-1959 ski season.

When Ebony Magazine featured the Jim Dandy Ski Club in its March 1962 issue, inquiry letters were received from across the nation. A new world of skiing and fellowship opened for the Dandies. The Jim Dandies received an invitation from Floyd Cole of Denver, Colorado to ski with a group of African-American skiers residing in Colorado.

By train, the Dandies arrived in Denver, Colorado on December 26, 1964. This became the first documented organized gathering of African-American skiers in the United States. There were 40 to 50 participants who skied at newly opened Vail, Winter Park, Loveland and Berthoud Pass ski areas. Continuous social activities consumed the evenings. These Dandies initiated action to train an aspiring youth for Olympic competition.

Dr. Wilson is the author of numerous professional papers, and books. In 1974 he was designated Wayne State University Distinguished Alumnus and holds numerous Honorary Degrees and Awards. Dr. Wilson was keynote speaker at many conferences and commencements. Dr. Reginald Wilson was a national and international consultant on education to many institutions of Higher Education.

The American Council on Education established the Reginald Wilson Diversity Leadership Award in 2001 to honor him, the founding director of the Office of Minority Concerns, this award honors individuals who have demonstrated leadership and commitment on a national level to the advancement of racial and ethnic minorities and other underrepresented populations in higher education.

Surviving is his wife, Dianne K Perry, PhD. of Bradenton and Washington, D.C., children Adam Wilson and Kafi Wilson Williams of Detroit, Michigan, 5 grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

“Reggie” was loved and admired by many friends, family, and colleagues.

There will be a virtual memorial service conducted by Robert Toale and Sons Funeral home. For more information check the Robert Toale and Sons link on this page for Dr. Wilson.

In honor of Reginald, the family has asked that donations be sent to Tuskegee Airmen Inc. https://tuskegeeairmen.org/support/donate/