He began with two books by Langston Hughes: one about the first Negro scientists and another, The First Book of Negroes, about the accomplishments of African-Americans. Harrison realized that these stories were not a part of his public school curriculum and took it upon himself to do his own research into African-American studies.
Harrison continued to study African-Americans and other minorities in the U.S. for more than 30 years. He attended Hunter College in New York, graduating with his bachelor’s in 1967. He has read countless biographies and journal articles, and attended conferences across the country, exchanging knowledge with fellow historians.
