"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : FORGOTTEN LOUISIANA "HBCU" SCHOOLS - GILBERT ACADEMY, NEW ORLEANS UNIVERSITY, and STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY

Today, it seems that while many Black People in Louisiana are familiar with "DILLARD UNIVERSITY, located in New Orleans, Louisiana, but some of them do not know that the original students for Dillard came from 3 schools that were closed to form Dillard University. PLEASE NOTE : The merger took place between 1930 - 1934. The first school, "Gilbert Academy," was named for "William L. Gilbert, a Wealthy Planter and Philanthropist" who gave the school $5,000 to rebuild the school's campus. He later contributed another $5,000 for a building that was named Gilbert Hall, and in his will, he set up a Trust with $40,000 to the school. Interestingly, the orphanage was founded in 1863, during the American Civil War, as a school for orphaned Colored Children. A lady by the name of Louise De Mortie, a Free Woman of Color from Virginia, relocated to New Orleans to run the school. Sadly, due to financial difficulties and a hurricane that hit the school in the late 1870s, the original school had to close. However, thanks to a donation from William L. Gilbert, the school was rebuilt and reopened as Gilbert Academy. Later, the school would function as a private college preparatory school for Colored Children as well as serve as an auxillary school for New Orleans University ; The second school, "New Orleans University," opened in 1869, as "The Union Normal School." It was founded by the Freedmen's Aid Society with funds from the Methodist Episcopal Church. Sometime before 1900, the school's name was changed to New Orleans University. In 1919, New Orleans University formed an administrative merger with Gilbert Academy, but the two institutions remained in their respective locations ; The third school, "Straight University," was founded by the American Missionary Association of the Congregational Church on June 12,1868. Going along with the traditional custom of the day, Straight University received its name as recognition for "Seymour Straight, a Wealthy Cheese Manufacturer," who gave a large financial contribution to the school. Additionally, around 1915, for some unknown reason, the school's name was changed to Straight College. By the way, Notable Alumni from Gilbert Academy included Lolis Edward Elie, a Louisiana Civil Rights Lawyer, Margaret Walker, Ellis Marsalis Jr., and Robert Frederick Collins, a United States District Judge ; Notable Graduates of New Orleans University included Andrew Young, a former United Nations Ambassador, John Louis Wilson, an American Architect, Audrey “Mickey” Patterson, an Olympic Medalist, and William Talbot Handy, an American Methodist Minister ; Notable Graduates of Straight University included B.D. Robinson of Monroe, Louisiana, Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback, Louisiana's "FIRST and ONLY" Black Governor, Fannie C. Williams, Valena C.M.Jones, Alfred Lawless, Theodore K. Lawless, Alice Dunbar Nelson, and Mary Booze, the first Negro woman to sit on the Republican National Committee.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : MARY FRANCES ROBINSON GOINS

Well, this week's Black Pioneer hails from a family of distinguished Black Educators residing in Monroe, Louisiana. Beginning first with her parents Solomon Lee Robinson and Josephine Parks Robinson. You know, it's puzzling to me as to why some Black People in Monroe still don't know that Robinson Elementary School in Monroe, Louisiana was named for her father, Solomon Lee Robinson. Oh well, next their was her sister, Mrs. Zettie Robinson Beckwith, who was a teacher at Richwood High School for many years. Finally, there was her brother Bernie Dayton Robinson, who was a former principal of J.S. Clark School in Monroe, Louisiana, from 1953 to 1974. Along with his wife Emily Parker Robinson and their daughter, Lasandre Robinson Starks, they ran Robinson Business College for decades, in Monroe. Now, let me tell you a little more about this week's Black Pioneer, Mrs. Mary Frances Robinson Goins. She was born and raised in Richwood, Louisiana, and she attended Richwood Elementary School.After graduating from Richwood Elementary, Mary Frances enrolled at North Louisiana Industrial School, also known as Monroe Academy, which was a private school that was located near Texas Ave. & South 9th Street, in Monroe Louisiana. The school was built by the Tenth District Baptist Association to help educate local Colored Children in Monroe. From there, Mary Frances attended Monroe Colored High, and from there she went on to attend several other colleges, including Leland College and Southern University. Mary Frances's first teaching assignment was at the Old St. James School that was located on Old Columbia Road, in Ouachita Parish. Within a year or two, she moved on to teach at Cuba Elementary School in Boscoe, Louisiana. After teaching a few years at Cuba Elementary School, she became the principal of the school. From there, Mary Frances transferred to Richwood High School, and became the principal of Richwood High School. In case you all didn't already know, Mary Frances is the woman who was responsible for hiring a football coach for the Richwood football team. History proved that she made a great choice in selecting "Louisiana coaching legend & Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Coach Mackie Freeze" as the head coach of Richwood High School, back in 1954! Even though her career in education began in 1930, Mary Frances worked well into the 1950s, when she retired in 1958. Oh how fitting it was for Mary Frances to end her career as principal of Robinson Elementary School, the school named after her father, Solomon Lee Robinson! By the way, in 1959, Mary Frances organized the Monroe Branch of the National Association of University Women, where she Served as President of the organization for 3 years. Additionally, some of the other community organizations that Mary Frances worked with included The Sickle-Cell Anemia Foundation, the organization which her sister, Mrs. Vivian O. Hester, was President for many years ; the Ouachita Parish League of Women Voters ; the Monroe Chapter of the NAACP ; the #35 Order of The Eastern Star Organization ; and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Organization, just to name a few. Sadly, after decades of championing Equal Education for her people, and fighting for Civil Rights in the State of Louisiana, Mary Frances Robinson Goins passed away on December 8, 2002. NOTE : A few years ago when the town of Richwood, Louisiana had it's New Park built that's located at 2917 Robinson Road in Richwood, the park was named, "The Mary Francis Goins Park," in her honor!

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : JANE SEREPTA DEAN

Although Jane was born into slavery in Northern Virginia, she never let it keep her from striving to better herself, her immediate family, and her Race! At the end of the American Civil War, schools for Colored Children in Northern Virginia were scarce and close to nil. Occasionally, Jane was able to attend a local school, but not for any extended period of time. Additionally, she wanted to help her parents meet the financial needs of their family. So in 1866, Jane traveled to Washington D.C. and found domestic work. She would work in D.C. during the week and take the train back home to Virginia on the weekends. During this time, her father died, but she still kept on working and sending part of her wages back to her family in Virginia. While living in Washington DC., Jane would attend the 19th Street Baptist Church, since it was near where she lived. A few months later, she decided to become a member. One day on her way to visit her family in Virginia, Jane noticed a startling trend. Many Colored People were giving up farming for jobs in the city. Two of her biggest concerns with what was happening is that the Colored People would end up getting stuck in "low-wage jobs," and that they would "succumb to alcoholism" as well as to other social ills that came with city living. To help solve what see saw as a potential problem. In 1890, Jane got together with her sister, Ella Dean, and a White lady to establish an Industrial School for educating Colored folk. The school was located in Manassas, Virginia, and the name of the school was The Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth. Although it took about 3 years to raise all of the money and get everything in order, the school received it's charter on October 7, 1893, and officially opened the following fall! The keynote speaker at the school's Opening Dedication Ceremonies just happened to be Frederick Douglas. In addition to her acting as a financial agent for the school, Jane served on the board of directors and the executive committee. After the Industrial School was running smoothly, she decided to address the need for more church Sunday Schools for Colored People. Through her affiliation with the Industrial School and 19th Street Baptist Church, Jane learned about fundraising. Also, she began to introduce herself to several important and influential people, those who had the funds that she needed to help her build more Sunday Schools & Colored Churches. Initially, Jane began raising money to establish more Sunday Schools, which led her to raising money for more churches as well. Jane became so good at fundraising that within a matter of a few years, she had enough money to build several new churches for the Colored People in Northern Virginia. The first church that Jane help provide the funding for was Mt. Calvary Church. Next was Prosperity Chapel in Conklin Loudoun County. After more fundraising, she helped with the funding of Cartharpin Chapel. In 1909, Jane helped see that the money was raised to build Dean-Divers Chapel. Throughout her fundraising efforts, Jane received donations from noted Philanthropists such as Andrew Carnegie, a wealthy Industrialist, and other rich American Capitalist. In the Bible, there's a scripture that says a person 's gift maketh room for them, and bringeth them before great men. Well, on February 14, 1906, Jane Dean, along with several students and faculty members of the Manassas Industrial School, visited the White House to meet President Theodore Roosevelt, Booker T. Washington and several other great men and women of her day! Sadly, on May 3, 1913, after suffering a stroke, Jane Dean died, and she was buried beside Mt. Calvary Chapel, the church that she had helped found. Interestingly enough, approximately 25 years after her death, in 1938, the Manassas Industrial School formally became the only school for higher education of Negro Children in five northern Virginia counties. By the way, in 1994, 35 years after the school closed for good, the former site of the Manassas Industrial School was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The former site is now a 70-acre city park, with a memorial to Jane Dean as founder of the former school for Colored Children. Also, the elementary school next to the park, in Arlington, Virginia, was named after Jane Dean.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : MARYLAND BROOKS, "The Colored Cattle King" & Meat Grocer of Ouachita & Morehouse Parish - Part Two of a Two-Part Series.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : Although, Maryland Brooks had customers in Ouachita and Morehouse Parishes, his home was located here in Monroe, Louisiana, and his address was listed as 2305 Breard Street. Out of curiosity, I drove by the address the other day, his home was located right near the corner of North 23rd Street and Breard Street, where North 23rd runs into Washington Street. The lot is now overgrown with grass, trees, and bushes. Hopefully, Monroe City officials will purchase the land and have a "MARKER" placed at his home address, at 2305 Breard, similar to the "MARKER" that will be placed at the former "Mount Nebo Rosenwald Elementary School" that was located on the corner of Jackson Street and Thomas Street in Monroe. Along with being in the public eye as a Businessman, Maryland Brooks was also involved in the community through the St.James M.E. Church and a Local Mason Lodge. He was a member of the St. James M.E. Church, the church was located on the corner of North 14 & Adams Street, and the pastor was Rev. G. C. Hayward. Maryland was connected with the St. James Church for over 40 years. Through the years, he held several positions in the church including, President of the Trustee Board, Superintendent of Sunday School, and Class Leader. Also, Maryland was a member of Lodge No.# 9 A.F.M., in Monroe, for more than 30 years. Motivational speaker Jim Rohn says that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. Well, here are five of the people that Maryland spent much of his time with, Dr. J.C. Roy and Dr. J.T. Miller, the doctors who had the Miller-Roy Building built on Desiard St, J.A. Beckwith, Isom Moore, and Richard "Daddy" Burns. For the record, Maryland and all these other men were born during "THE FORGOTTEN RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD IN LOUISIANA!" By the way, all of these men were in attendance at Maryland's funeral, with the exception of Dr. John Tildon Miller. Dr. Miller had died of a heart attack the previous year, on July 5,1935. Other notable Colored Men at his funeral who had witnessed Maryland's rise in society from "Maryland the Kid Butcher" to become "Maryland the Meat Mogul" were, Rev. W.W. Hill, Rev. L.A. Jackson, James Roland, Southern Rainey, Arthur Smith and Kenneth Graham. Although these Colored Men have been forgotten,"they were the ones who helped pave the way for every Black person living in Monroe, Louisiana today!" Near the end of the funeral service, Miss Zula Mae Corbin read a resolution from the City Wide Ushers. Another thing that stood out at his funeral, was when Rev. G.C. Hayward issued an emotional and emphatic challenge to the Young Colored Males of Ouachita & Morehouse Parishes that were in attendance. His challenge to them was to "PRODUCE ANOTHER COLORED MAN LIKE MARYLAND BROOKS!" In closing, I would like to remind everyone in Monroe that we are facing a similar challenge today, and that challenge is to "PRODUCE MORE BLACK MEN LIKE MARYLAND BROOKS and THE BLACK MEN WHO WERE AT HIS FUNERAL!"

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : MARYLAND BROOKS, "The Colored Cattle King" & Meat Grocer of Ouachita & Morehouse Parish - Part One of a Two-Part Series

As I was researching the other day, I ran across an old article that mentioned that there was once "A LAW or RULE" that strongly prohibited Colored People in Ouachita Parish & Morehouse Parish from trading, owning, attempting to purchase, or otherwise having a cow, or cows in their possession? Evidently at the beginning of 20th Century, due to the "increase of cows coming up missing" in Ouachita & Morehouse Parishes, a law or rule was passed restricting Negroes from having cattle in their possession at anytime! Which brings us to this week's Black Pioneer, Maryland Brooks. Well, I must admit, if I hadn't went to the Genealogy Dept. at the main library in Monroe, Louisiana, on Stubb's St., I probably still would not know about Maryland Brooks. Before I go any further, I would like to state that Maryland was Colored by birth, a Butcher by trade, and a Businessman by choice! He was born in Monroe, Louisiana or Ouachita Parish on February 1, 1869 to Josephus Brooks and Mariah Mason Brooks. Despite not having much academic schooling, at the age of 10, Maryland was able to get a job working at the "Old Meat Market" that was located on the corner of Catalpa St. & Desiard St. in Monroe, Louisiana. By the age of 16, Maryland had obtained a reputation for being "one of the best Butchers in all of Louisiana!" As a matter of fact, his strong reputation and his striking popularity with many of the White Businessmen undoubtedly played a part in him being able to obtain "a special permit" that allowed him to trade, buy, and sell as much cattle as he liked, "despite there being a law about Negroes not being able to purchase or have cows." Subsequently, he was able to corner the market on beef within the Negro Communities of Ouachita & Morehouse Parishes. Surprisingly to some, in addition to being a great Butcher, he was also a fine meat grocer as well. His meat business did so well that he became extremely wealthy, and opened additional stores in Monroe, Ouachita Parish, and Morehouse Parish. It was reported that he used part of his money from his meat business to be a "secret financier" to the St. James M.E. Church that was located on the corner of 14th St. & Adams St., in Monroe, Louisiana, even before he became a member of the church. On January 4,1936, due to an illness that bothered him for the last several years of his life, Maryland Brooks went home to be with the Lord. PLEASE NOTE : In Part-Two of this Series, I will provide information pertaining to his social life as well as some of the distinguished Colored People who attended and spoke at his funeral.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : COLEMAN COLLEGE - the first "HBCU" founded in Northern Louisiana

When it comes to learning things, I have found that it's not so important that you know everything, just so long as you know and remember that you have the power to learn anything" -Garry O. Blanson I have decided to begin this week's article of "OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" by informing everyone about " ANOTHER FORGOTTEN BLACK INSTITUTION of HIGHER LEARNING" that was established in Louisiana for "COLORED PEOPLE, IN THE LATE 1800s." Well, it was recently brought to my attention that several Black families currently living in Monroe, Louisiana have relatives who are connected to this "Historic Black College." You see, it seems that a local Black Pharmacist by the name of Dr. Raymond O. Pierce, who was the father of Mrs. Frances Pierce Reddix, civil rights activist, father-in-law of John I. Reddix D.D.S./ NAACP President, and father of Mrs. Arnetta Pierce Amin, the first Black Pharmacist in Monroe, whose pharmacy was located on the first floor of the Miller-Roy Building, and whose grand-daughter is Ollibeth Reddix D.D.S. of Monroe ; it was through a reliable source that I learned that Raymond Pierce and Mollie Jessie Frazier Glover, who was the mother of Mrs. Johnnie Glover Rodgers of Monroe, and the grandmother of Christopher Van Rodgers Jr. of Monroe were actually "CLASS-MATES" at COLEMAN COLLEGE!!! Not only was the school touted as being the first College for Colored People in Northern Louisiana, but it also has the distinction of being the first Louisiana school for Colored People where the school's founder and the students helped make the bricks, and also helped build the campus buildings of the school. For the record, Coleman College, was founded in 1887 by Oliver L. Coleman, "and the school was named after him as well." Despite being the son of an enslaved Colored couple from Canton, Mississippi, his parents taught him to believe in himself and always do his best! In 1889, a man by the name of C.R. Moore donated a 10-acre tract of land, and a building was built to house the school in the town of Gibsland Louisiana, in Bienville Parish. Eventually, the school's campus was expanded to include approximately 100 acres of quality land. As for funding for the school, area churches formed the "SPRINGVILLE MISSIONARY & EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION" to help keep the College afloat. In addition to the financial support received from the association, the Southern Baptist Church and the American Baptist Home Mission Society in Boston, Massachusetts also provided monetary grants and donations to help support the school. Equally important, when it came time to construct buildings for the school, Professor Oliver L. Coleman decided to follow the pattern that Booker T. Washington had started at Tuskegee Institute. Therefore, along with a brickmaker from Mansfield, Louisiana, Professor Coleman taught Coleman Students how to build a kiln, and how to mix, shape, and cure bricks. They took some of the red clay dirt that they found in the hills around the school, and made bricks to build the buildings for the school. By the way, Professor Coleman and Booker T. Washington were such good friends that in the same year that Booker T. Washington àdied, the well-known educator agreed to give a speech at the school. In 1915, Booker T. Washington went to Coleman College and gave an inspiring speech to a crowd of Black & White students, dignitaries, and local politicians. As time went on, a football team was formed and the team was known all over the state of Louisiana as the Coleman College Bulldogs. As a matter of fact, all the way up until the school officially closed, there was "a fierce football rivalry" between the Coleman College Bulldogs and Grambling College, the school that would later be known as "The Grambling State University Tigers!" Some say that the rivalry between the two schools was as great as the "Annual Bayou Classic" Football Game between Grambling & Southern is today! Although the school was able to survive the Great Depression, sometime between 1942 - 1943, the school closed at Gibsland, and reopened as a Bible College in Shreveport, Louisiana. After about another 10 years in existence, the Coleman Bible College closed for good around 1956. As for the original school site in Gibsland, Louisiana, sometime between 1944 - 1950, it was acquired by the Bienville Parish School System and named Gibsland Colored High School, and now it is named The Gibsland-Coleman-School Complex.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : LELAND COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY ( Part Two of A Two-Part Series )

Well, hopefully some of you all who read my last week's "OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" article went online and found out that Leland opened "in 1870," in New Orleans, Louisiana, as Leland University, and not Leland College. The main reason that I decided to write about Leland College is because the school wasn't just your average old, any old Black College! You see, Leland College pulled in students from all over the whole entire state of Louisiana, and surrounding states. As a matter of fact, the student body of Leland consisted of students from all parts of Louisiana, including Monroe, La., Ruston, La., Grambling, La., Jackson, La., Shreveport, LA., Baton Rouge, La., Opelusas, La., and New Orleans, Louisiana as well. Also, in addition to the school's on campus enrollment, Leland utilized a system that consisted of several upper elementary and secondary schools that served as preparatory "FEEDER" schools for Leland. Since these schools were considered Leland auxiliary schools, when it came time for the students of these schools to attend college, the students were accepted into Leland without having to take any examinations. In fact, many of the good students were awarded scholarships to attend Leland that helped pay their school tuition. Additionally, some of you all may be interested in knowing that between 1908 - 1910, there were more than 8 schools throughout the state of Louisiana listed as being a part of Leland's auxiliary school system. Five of the locations included New Iberia, New Orleans, Donaldsville, Monroe, and Ruston. As for the programs that the school offered, Leland School officials actually patterned some of the school's programs off of the programs of Booker T. Washington at Tuskegee, and from some of the principles that W.E.B. DUBOIS laid out in his essay,"The Talented Tenth." By the way, there's an interesting story about a certain young Black student-athlete from Jackson, La. who played football for Leland College in the late 1930s. As the story goes, after making the football team as a sophomore, he then won the "STARTING QUARTERBACK POSITION" for the Leland College Bulldogs. Well, this virtually unknown quarterback stepped in and surpassed all of his head coach's expectations of him. Surprisingly, this outstanding young quarterback took to his position like a fish takes to water, and in 1938 he led the Leland College Bulldogs to a South Central Athletic(SCAC) Conference Championship! Also, for the 1939 and 1940 football seasons, in addition to being the starting quarterback, he also served as an "assistant coach" for the Leland College football team. Well, in 1941, this former "Championship Quarterback" of Leland College had the audacity to apply for the head coaching position at Louisiana Negro Normal and Industrial Institute, which later became "Grambling State University"-- and as they say, the rest is History! Who was this young Black quarterback that led Leland College to a SCAC Conference Championship? Why, he was none other than 'The Legend himself... Eddie G. Robinson," better known as "COACH ROB!" Now where was I, oh yeah, let me tell you all about some of the other Black students who graduated from Leland College. Who remembers Joseph Samuel Clark, the first President of Southern University in Baton Rouge; Rev. Christopher Van Rodgers Sr. , the pastor of Zion Travelers Baptist Church in Monroe for more than 30 years; Benny Ausberry, who for years was on the Monroe Planning and Zoning Board, and led the fight for the Powell Avenue Recreational Center and many other improvements in the Booker T. Community ; and let's not forget John W. Joseph, the first Black Mayor of Opelousas, Louisiana. Although time does permit me to list the thousands of Black students that passed through the halls of Leland College, I will leave you all with a short list of some of the students who graduated from Leland College who were from the Monroe/Ouachita Parish area : Francis Marion Boley, William M. Pruitt, Loretta Harriett Dunn Pruitt, Madison J. Foster, Katie McEnery, Obadiah Barnes, Southard Pirlum Dunn, Brownlow Dunn,Charles Richard Gardner, Hettie Beatrice Gardner, William Ira Green, Mildred Olivia Hamilton, Della Annie Johnson, Solomon Long, Irene Marx, Irene Mickens, Lucinda Miller, Anna Lydia Mitchell, Annie Pitman, Loretta Amelia Richardson.