This paper identifies those factors that led to American Association of University Professors (AAUP) representation at the nation's oldest degree-granting Historically Black College University (HBCU). In the span of 18 months, Lincoln Faculty overwhelmingly embraced unionism when the body agreed to have AAUP as its official agent in the collective bargaining process. While the decision to organize presented some difficulties, securing and maintaining faculty voice in campus decision-making was fraught with challenges. That struggle continues today.