OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE : UNION BAPTIST HIGH/ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR NEGRO CHILDREN IN MONROE, LOUISIANA IN THE 1950s

 

"THOSE WHO CANNOT REMEMBER THE PAST ARE CONDEMNED TO REPEAT IT" – George Santayana, The Life of Reason, 1905 It's amazing how not being born during a certain era can keep Black People in Monroe, Louisiana from knowing things that are in plain sight. Take for instance,The Neville Jr. High School that was once named, "ROBERT E. LEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL." Well, I discovered that back in the 1950s, "THERE  USED TO BE A SCHOOL IN MONROE FOR NEGRO CHILDREN CALLED, UNION BAPTIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WHICH WAS LOCATED AT THE SAME LOCATION AS THE CURRENT NEVILLE JR. HIGH SCHOOL!" Last year, I discovered that an unknown School for Negro Children use to be located in Monroe,"NEAR A LITTLE KNOWN NEGRO NEIGHBORHOOD NAMED, BRIGHT OAK." Well, the name of the unknown School turned out to be,"UNION BAPTIST HIGH/ELEMENTARY SCHOOL." Naturally, I went and Googled Union School for Negroes in Monroe, Louisiana, and clicked on one of the  links that pulled up. By the way, the link took me to a site where there was a map showing where Union  School used to be located in Monroe. Low and behold, it was exactly where "ROBERT E. LEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL," which is currently Neville Jr. High School, was located in Monroe...my oh my!!! You see, within a few decades, Black and White Citizens in Monroe and West Monroe had all but forgotten that "UNION BAPTIST HIGH SCHOOL" FOR NEGRO CHILDREN" had ever existed in Monroe! Well, ain't that a biscuit??? In closing,      I would like to challenge all Black Families living in Monroe and West Monroe to start taking time out to learn more about their family history in Monroe and West Monroe as well as the local "BLACK HISTORY" that transpired locally, such as the gruesome lynching of a Colored Man that took place in front of the "COLORED KNIGHTS of PYTHIAS MEETING HALL BUILDING, "AT 1101 DESIARD STREET IN MONROE ; the lynching of over 200 Black People in front of St. Frances Hospital ; the bodies of Negroes that were tossed into the Ouachita River by the "KLU KLUX KLAN" and other White Citizens of Monroe ; and the Delta Ouachita Vocational Training School that used to located next to Carroll High School, on Desiard Street in Monroe. Finally, I would like to say, just because Governor Jeff Landry has banned the teaching of "CRITICAL RACE THEORY" at the Schools in Our Black Communities, doesn't mean that we can't teach it in Our Black homes, churches, and Communities in Monroe!

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OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE : UNION BAPTIST HIGH/ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR NEGRO CHILDREN IN MONROE, LOUISIANA IN THE 1950s EDWIN TAYLOR, "THE FIRST COLORED MAN TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AFTER THE ABOLISHMENT OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA

"THOSE WHO CANNOT REMEMBER THE PAST ARE CONDEMNED TO REPEAT IT" – George Santayana, The Life of Reason, 1905 It's amazing how not being born during a certain era can keep Black People in Monroe, Louisiana from knowing things that are in plain sight. Take for instance,The Neville Jr. High School that was once named, "ROBERT E. LEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL." Well, I discovered that back in the 1950s, "THERE  USED TO BE A SCHOOL IN MONROE FOR NEGRO CHILDREN CALLED, UNION BAPTIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WHICH WAS LOCATED AT THE SAME LOCATION AS THE CURRENT NEVILLE JR. HIGH SCHOOL!" Last year, I discovered that an unknown School for Negro Children use to be located in Monroe,"NEAR A LITTLE KNOWN NEGRO NEIGHBORHOOD NAMED, BRIGHT OAK." Well, the name of the unknown School turned out to be,"UNION BAPTIST HIGH/ELEMENTARY SCHOOL." Naturally, I went and Googled Union School for Negroes in Monroe, Louisiana, and clicked on one of the  links that pulled up. By the way, the link took me to a site where there was a map showing where Union  School used to be located in Monroe. Low and behold, it was exactly where "ROBERT E. LEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL," which is currently Neville Jr. High School, was located in Monroe...my oh my!!! You see, within a few decades, Black and White Citizens in Monroe and West Monroe had all but forgotten that "UNION BAPTIST HIGH SCHOOL" FOR NEGRO CHILDREN" had ever existed in Monroe! Well, ain't that a biscuit??? In closing,      I would like to challenge all Black Families living in Monroe and West Monroe to start taking time out to learn more about their family history in Monroe and West Monroe as well as the local "BLACK HISTORY" that transpired locally, such as the gruesome lynching of a Colored Man that took place in front of the "COLORED KNIGHTS of PYTHIAS MEETING HALL BUILDING, "AT 1101 DESIARD STREET IN MONROE ; the lynching of over 200 Black People in front of St. Frances Hospital ; the bodies of Negroes that were tossed into the Ouachita River by the "KLU KLUX KLAN" and other White Citizens of Monroe ; and the Delta Ouachita Vocational Training School that used to located next to Carroll High School, on Desiard Street in Monroe. Finally, I would like to say, just because Governor Jeff Landry has banned the teaching of "CRITICAL RACE THEORY" at the Schools in Our Black Communities, doesn't mean that we can't teach it in Our Black homes, churches, and Communities in Monroe!

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OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE : RICHARD "DICK" TURNLEY JR., "The First Black To Be Elected To The Louisiana State House Of Representatives, After Colored People Were first Disenfranchised From Politics In Louisiana, In 1878"

 

                                                                              "WHEN YOU CHECK THE RECORD,YOU WILL SEE THAT IT WAS THE WHITE U.S. CONGRESSMEMBERS and WHITE STATE CONGRESSMEMBERS WHO MADE DISCRIMINATION LAWS, SYSTEMATIC RACISM LAWS, BLACK CODES, JIM CROW LAWS, AND SLAVERY LEGAL IN AMERICA!"                                                                              Well, in the past couple of weeks in Louisiana, the White  Members of the Louisiana State Congress are once again showing just how White they can be! Of course I am referring to two of the recent Bills that were being considered to be voted on. One of the Bills was SB 65, which addresses the conversion of existing public schools into charter schools, and the other Bill is SB 256, which will consolidate the Orleans Parish Criminal and Civil Court clerks' offices, and eliminate the office of a recently elected Black Man named Calvin Duncan, who was just sworn into office on last week! So far, SB 65, a Bill that was sponsored by a "Disturbed White Louisiana Senator" by the name Stewart Cathey, was  returned to the calendar, "SUBJECT TO CALL," meaning it is not currently moving forward but could be brought back up for a Vote later. However, SB 256, a Bill authored by another "Disturbed White Senator," by the name  of John "Jay" Morris was passed by the Senate and could soon be signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry. Once again, time and space prevents me from going into details about how these 2 Louisiana Senate Bills "REEK WITH THE DISTINCT SMELL OF BIGOTRY AND RACISM," but I will say that I am not a bit surprised that "THINGS HAVE ONCE AGAIN GONE SOUTH!" Now that I have gotten that off my chest, on to this week's Black Pioneer, Richard Turnley Jr.! Richard grew up in Plaquemine, Louisiana. While I couldn't find any information about his early education, one article said that he graduated from Southern University in Baton Rouge, and was a strong supporter of the University. "IN 1976, RICHARD MADE HISTORY WHEN HE BECAME THE FIRST BLACK PERSON IN LOUISIANA TO BE ELECTED TO THE LOUISIANA STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SINCE 1878, AFTER THE COLORED PEOPLE WERE DISENFRANCHISED FROM POLITICS IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA!" By the way, several  Other interesting things about Richard included : in 1976, Richard was one of the founders of The Louisiana Legislative Black Caucas ; in the 1970s, Richard established a food cooperative business in Louisiana ; Richard was instrumental in the founding of the Southern Teachers and Parents Federal Credit Union, The Largest HBCU Credit Union In The Nation ; Richard served 3 consecutive terms in the Louisiana State House of Representatives ; and in 1984, Richard was elected to serve in The Louisiana State Senate.These are just a few of the many things that Richard was able to accomplish during his lifetime. Sadly, on January 19, 2013, Richard Turnley Jr. went home to be with the Lord. NOTE : Richard 's daughter, Tamara Turnley Robinson, is a former President of the Jack and Jill Incorporated Organization.

OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE : ALBERT WICKER JR., City of New Orleans Distinguished Colored Professor and Prominent Civic Leader

                                                     "With so much drama in the LA. B, Louisiana Boot, it's kinda hard bein' G. -O'Dell -B., but, somehow, someway, I keep coming up with Fresh New Topics'for my Articles, from Day-to-Day! -Garry Blanson                                                         Well, since last week,           I have learned about 2 interesting items that "could, or could not" be connected. The first item has to do with Governor Jeff Landry announcing that Louisiana is partnering with the "U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services" in an effort to provide prison inmates who are about to get out of prison with health insurance,"AND A 30 DAY SUPPLY OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS," through a special  medicaid program. Ok, I hope everyone is ready for the Second item," BECAUSE IT'S A DOOZY!" So, I just got through mentioning about the new prison "Medicaid Program" for prisoners about to get out of prison, right? Well, I recently found out that last month, around the end of March, "HARRIS COUNTY TEXAS COMMISSIONERS APPROVED A WHOOPING $38 MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT RENEWAL, BETWEEN THE STATES OF TEXAS and LOUISIANA!"  According to sources,        the contract will guarantee,"CONTINUED OUTSOURCING OF TEXAS PRISON INMATES TO THE STATE of LOUISIANA."  Strangely enough, the majority of the Texas Prisoners leaving Texas, "WILL BE RELOCATED MAINLY TO VARIOUS LASALLE CORRECTION CENTERS," located throughout the State of Louisiana. By the way,"THE CONTRACT RENEWAL IS ONLY FOR ONE YEAR," and is scheduled to expire in April of 2027. Finally, based on these 2 items, and the fact that " PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE" is involved,"ONE MIGHT BE LIKELY TO WONDER WHETHER OR NOT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT MIGHT BE UP TO ANOTHER ONE OF THEIR INFAMOUS GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENTS ON PEOPLE, LIKE THE TUSKEGEE SYPHILIS EXPERIMENT, WHICH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT CONDUCTED ON NEGRO MALES, BETWEEN 1932 AND 1972. Anyhow, on to this week's Black Pioneer, Albert Wicker was born in The City of New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1869, to Albert Wicker Sr. and Frances Austin Wicker, who were listed as "FREE PEOPLE of COLOR." Before attending Straight University, and later graduating from New Orleans University, which both merged to become "DILLARD UNIVERSITY," Albert Jr. received his early childhood education in the New Orleans Public School System. After graduating from New Orleans University and obtaining his B.A. Degree in Education, Albert Jr. developed and pursued his interest in law. However, it was short-lived, and he returned to his first love, which was Education. Some interesting things that many of you all may not have known about Albert Jr. included the following : he served as Principal of The Bienville School in New Orleans for approximately 20 years ;      in 1905, he served on the Committee that was responsible for arranging for the visit of President Theodore Roosevelt to the City of New Orleans ; in 1907, he was a member of the 27 group of Colored Men who Chartered the New Orleans  Chapter of "The Colored Young Men's Christian Association," which was part of the organization that was founded  in 1853, by a Colored Man named Anthony Bowen, and still exists in New Orleans today ; and he was one of the foundering partners of the People's Industrial Life Insurance Company that was founded by a Colored Man by the name of Walter L. Cohen, in Louisiana, in1909. Regretfully, on August 30,  1928, at the wise age of 59, Professor Albert Wicker Jr. was called home to meet his maker. After his death, The New Orleans Parish School Board renamed "The Bienville School," the school which he had dedicated so much of his time and life nurturing, "THE ALBERT WICKER SCHOOL," in his honor. Sadly, in 2005, the 

school was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. PLEASE NOTE :  the school is now listed as being closed! 

 

OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE : HENRY DEMAS - a former slave, AND ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

 

                                                                          During  my regular research activity online,         I came across an article about a lawsuit against the "NASCAR ASSOCIATION"  that included the famous former NBA Basketball Star, Michael Jordan. What I found interesting about the lawsuit is that it was centered around "RECKLESS RULES, WHICH ARE SIMILAR TO SOME OF THE LHSAA RULES!"     Some even referred to the NASCAR rules as being,"monopolistic practices!" Well, after Michael Jordan testified in court on the matter, NASCAR decided it was best to go ahead and agree on a settlement of the lawsuit. PLEASE  NOTE, while NASCAR realized it's error and agreed to change their rules,"THE LHSAA HAS YET TO DO THE SAME!" Even after a lengthy investigation by a Louisiana State Congress Committee, and the committee's recommendations for the LHSAA to operate differently,"THE LHSAA BOLDLY REJECTED THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATIONS!"     At one point, in a hearing meeting that was held at the Louisiana State Capitol, on September 23, 2025, LOUISIANA STATE REPRESENTATIVE, YEHMI JAHI CHASSION, became  so frustrated with members of the LSHAA,"HE HINTED THAT HE WOULD POSSIBLY LOOK INTO STARTING A DIFFERENT LOUISIANA SPORTS ASSOCIATION," BESIDES THE LHSAA! So, now that the LHSAA has showed the Louisiana State Congress Committee that it is has no intentions of carrying out the committee's recommendations, what will the Louisiana State Congress do next to address the stress and unrest surrounding the rules,policies, and practices of the LHSAA??? Let that marinate on your mind for a minute or two! Now on to this week's Black Pioneer, Henry Demas. Henry Demas was born a slave on April 16, 1848, in Louisiana's St. John the Baptist Parish. Just think,  Henry went from being a slave in Louisiana, to fighting in the Union Military, to being elected as a Louisiana Constable in 1870, to serving two terms as a Louisiana  Legislator, and then becoming a Louisiana State  Senator! What an astounding accomplishment that was for him, following such a "grotesque event" as the American Civil War. By the way, other notable roles that Henry held and served in some capacity within the State of Louisiana included ; CO-FOUNDER of SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY IN BATON ROUGE LOUISIANA ; his appointment as a captain in the State Militia in 1874 ; serving as parish treasurer ; serving on the parish school board ; and his appointment by Senator Mark Hanna and President William McKinley to the New Orleans Naval Office, an appointment that created such a stir that some say that it contributed to the deaths of both,"Henry Demas and  President William McKinley!" Sadly, on April 19, 1900, while living in New Orleans, Louisiana, Henry Demas succumbed to a disease known as,"BRIGHT'S DISEASE,"  and his body was buried in Edgard, Louisiana. 

OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE : ANTOINE OVERTON, aka Anthony Overton Sr., The Colored Man rumored to have purchased the land where the "WISNER SCHOOL" was built on in Monroe,Louisiana, in18oos!

OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE :                                                                    ANTOINE  OVERTON, aka Anthony Overton Sr., The Colored Man rumored to have purchased the land where the "WISNER  SCHOOL" was built on in Monroe,Louisiana, in1866                                                                                                  "WE Are BORN into This WORLD ;  We GRADUATE from SCHOOL ; but We TRANSITION To The HERE AFTER!" -Garry Blanson.                                         Sometimes when I am conducting my research, and going through the "FUNERAL PROGRAM BOOKS,"  which are located in the main library on Stubb's Ave in Monroe, Louisiana, I think about how a person's entire life gets reduced to just a few paragraphs on a few pieces of paper! Also, as I am sitting in my chair, I sometimes contemplate the many times how somebody's name is inadvertently left off of the Funeral Program, and how it isn't discovered until it's too late to be properly rectified. Additionally, I am surprised to discover and learn about how some people who I didn't know were even related to one another were in fact close cousins!!! Well come to find out, it seems that you certainly can run across some interesting information about a person's family history,       by reading their obituaries. Yes, I must say that I am truly  grateful that someone decided to have those Funeral Program Obituary Books placed in the Geanology Department, so that we  can go and research the history of our family as well as the history of other families living in the Monroe/Ouachita Parish Area. Now, on to this week's Black Pioneer!    While much as been written about his famous son, Anthony Overton Jr., the first Negro to Head A Major Conglomerate Business Corporation in America, little has been written about his father, who happens to be this week's BLACK PIONEER, ANTOINE OVERTON, aka Anthony Overton Senior. Antoine was born on March 10, 1823, in the state of Louisiana. Well, I'm guessing that sometime around 1861, or just after the end of the American Civil War, Antoine and his wife, Martha Deberry Overton, somehow ended up here in Monroe, Louisiana. To this union was born one son, Anthony Overton Junior. Shockingly, in 1869, an unprecedented event took place in Ouachita Parish that was unheard of at the time. During the Period known  as Reconstruction is, "ANTOINE OVERTON, A COLORED MAN BECAME THE FIRST BLACK MAN TO BE ELECTED TO AND HOLD A POLITICAL OFFICE IN OUACHITA PARISH,'' WHEN  HE WAS ELECTED TO SERVE AS PARISH CORONER!" Additionally, Antoine must have been blessed with money and business savvy too, because not only did he "OWN and OPERATE" a grocery store in Monroe, but he also "OWNED and OPERATED" A SMALL HOTEL for COLORED PEOPLE, as well. Furthermore, it was reported that Antoine's business interests even extended over into the downtown area of Monroe, possibly where the 141 building is located on Desiard Street in Monroe. Antoine is said to have "OWNED and OPERATED" a business at this site.           By the way, it may interest you all to know that during the period of 1871 and 1874, "WHICH INCLUDED WHEN GEORGE HAMLET WAS APPOINTED AS THE FIRST BLACK MAYOR OF MONROE," Antoine was elected  and served as a State Representative in the  Louisiana  State Legislature. Interestingly enough, a rumor says that one day in Monroe, a White Man from Mississippi and a Colored Man, named Mr. Mason, who was staying at Antoine's Hotel got into a heated argument, and Mr. Mason attempted to shoot  the White Man, but his gun jammed! Well, when some of the White Citizens of Monroe found out where Mr. Mason was staying, they went and approached Antoine. Anyways, not long after this incident, Antoine decided to sell his businesses in Monroe and move his family to Topeka Kansas, in 1879, and the rest, as they say is BLACK HISTORY!!! Sadly on April 4 1884, Antoine Overton passed away quietly, at his home in Topeka Kansas.    In closing, I would like to note that Black People in Monroe, and all over America are forever indebted to Antoine Overton for helping to successfully create thousands of opportunities for Blacks in Education and Business as well as other areas! 

OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE : THE BLACK LEGENDS AND BLACK PIONEERS OF PRICHARD'S ADDITION, IN MONROE, LOUISIANA

                                                                                   Today, as people in Monroe, Louisiana visit The Emily P. Robinson Center and The Henrietta W. Johnson Recreational Center, they can't help but notice that some of the former "NOTICEABLE PICTURES," of former individuals such as ; Emily P. Robinson, James "SHACK" Harris, Andrew Harris, Rubin Jones, and other notable people who achieved great accomplishments in our Black Communities, which used to "grace the walls" of both of these Community Centers, have seemed to have disappeared. If anyone in Monroe has any information to the whereabouts of these missing  pictures,"PLEASE  CONTACT THE PROPER AUTHORITIES IMMEDIATELY!" Speaking of The Emily P. Robinson Center, the center is actually just footsteps away from the 9 BLOCKS LONG and 3 BLOCKS WIDE subdivision, known as The Prichard Addition. In case everybody didn't already know, some of the Black Pioneers that have lived in The Prichard Addition in Monroe include ; Frank Taylor, Eva Dyann Wilson, Bernie Dayton Robinson, Mrs. Emily P. Robinson, Mrs. V.O. Robinson Hester, Lasandra Robinson Starks, Mrs. V.O. Robinson Hester, Patrick Robinson, 
 Toussaint L. McCall, Isaac Barnett,"WHO OWNED AND OPERATED HIS GROCERY STORE  AT 2800 JACKSON STREET FOR OVER 40 YEARS," and Faye Brown Blackwell, "WHO WAS THE FIRST BLACK FEMALE IN LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA TO EVER OWN AND OPERATE HER OWN RADIO STATION," just to name a few! In closing, I am asking for everyone in the Monroe area to be on the lookout for more information about the "UPCOMING CAMPAIGN" to bring "MORE ATTENTION AND AWARENESS" to the "ANNUAL EVENTS" that are being scheduled to take place in "THE PRICHARD ADDITION