Call My Name 5K

🏃‍♂️ Race Overview

Join us for the 4th annual Call My Name 5K on February 22, 2026, that will honor predominantly Black convicted laborers—boys and men ages 14 to 67—whom Clemson College trustees leased from the state penitentiary to build the school between 1890 and 1914. With skilled labor they constructed the beautiful red brick buildings still standing today, including Sikes Hall, Tillman Hall/Old Main, Trustee House, and Hardin Hall. They also cleared land and constructed roads, sidewalks, and a dike that continue to serve the campus community.

📜 Race Purpose

• Honor: Predominantly Black convicted laborers.
• Contribute: To the ongoing legacy of Clemson University.
• Recognize: The historical contributions made between 1890 and 1914.
• Engage: The community in meaningful storytelling.

🏛️ Historical Context

Call My Name documents and shares the stories of African Americans in Clemson University history. The Call My Name 5K will tour the campus of Clemson while paying tribute to these stories. Learn more about Call My Name HERE.

📝 Research Project

Call My Name is a research project dedicated to telling the stories of Black men, women, and children throughout Clemson University’s history whose lives and experiences have been largely overlooked in the University’s public history.

🌐 Official Race Website

Visit the Official Race Website HERE.