"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE": James Edward Shepard

“So our people not only have to be reeducated to the importance of supporting Black businesses, but the Black man himself has to be made aware of the importance of going into business! And once you and I go into business, we own and operate at least the businesses in our community. What we will be doing is developing a situation, wherein, we will actually be able to create employment for the people in the community.” ~ Malcolm X James Edward Shepard was born in Raleigh, North Carolina on November 3, 1875. After graduating from High School , he attended Shaw University( where he received a degree in pharmacy ). In 1896, he opened a pharmacy in Raleigh, North Carolina. Two years later he moved to Washington D.C. to take a position as comparer of deeds in the recorder's office. In 1910, James Edward Shaperd founded “The National Training School and Chautauqua in Durham, North Carolina,”[ he served as the school’s president ]. The school faced many financial challenges and was eventually taken over by the state{ it became the Durham State Normal School in 1923 }. After a fire at the school in 1925, the school became the North Carolina College for Negroes, the first state supported liberal arts college for blacks in the nation. This same school would later become the “HBCU” that is now,” North Carolina Central University.” A list of James Edward Shepherd’s many achievements included being a Grandmaster of the Prince Hall Free Masons of North Carolina, secretary for the Knights of Pythias, President of the North Carolina Colored Teachers Association , and Director of the Mechanics and Farmers Bank. Additionally, he was the only Negro speaker to speak at the World Sunday School Convention held in Rome in 1910. On October 6, 1947, James Edward Shephard died at his home in Durham, North Carolina. In closing, It is so,so sad that most Black Americans born after 1975 have little or no recollection of when Blacks owned and ran just about “ALL” of the Businesses in the Black community[ Note : It has been stated that the “Black Dollar” circulated through the Black community 10-12 times before leaving the Black community ].

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : Frederick McKinley Jones

The next time you open your refrigerator box, you can say thank you to Frederick McKinley Jones. He was born on May 17, 1893 in Cincinnati, Ohio. His mother was Black and his father was White. His family had many financial problems, which led to Frederick being sent to Kentucky to live with a priest for about two years or so. Next,he decided to go back to Cincinnati. Once he got to Cincinnati, he worked odd jobs here and there. One of his jobs was working as janitor at a shop. Although he held the position as a janitor, Frederick knew himself to be much more than a lowly janitor. The owner of the shop saw his value and made him shop Foreman. Frederick was ambitious, so he decided to leave the shop and secure his engineering license in Minnesota. Soon after getting his engineering license, World War l started, and Frederick had to enlist. Instead of fighting on the front lines, he was called upon to repair the vehicles, radios and other machines.When the war ended, he went to work at the Hallock farm. It was on the Hallock farm that he got to hone his skills at fixing and inventing things. When the town he was living in decided to build a radio station, they called on Frederick to build the transmitter. Also, a local businessman by the name of Joseph A Numero hired Frederick to improve the sound machines for his company. In the1930s, Frederick designed and patented a portable air -cooling unit for trucks carrying perishable food. Additionally, he decided to enter a business partnership with Joseph A Numero. They called their company, “The U.S. Thermo Control Company. “ During WWll the U.S. military relied heavily on Frederick’s air-cooling invention and the U.S. Thermo Control Company. Over his career, Frederick McKinley Jones submitted over 60 patents to the U.S. Patent Office. In 1944, he became the first Negro to be elected to the American Society of Refrigeration Engineers. Also, in 1977, he was inducted into the Minnesota Inventors Hall of Fame. Finally, in 1991 President George HW Bush awarded the National Medal of Technology “Posthumously” to Frederick McKinley Jones and Joseph A Numero( their wives received their awards at a ceremony held in the Whitehouse Rose Gardens ). He was the first Negro to have received this award. On February 21, 1961, he died of lung cancer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In closing, I think that we might need to pay greater attention to our Black Youth who are deciding to dropout of school. Who knows, they might become the next Frederick McKinley Jones?

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” : : HARRIET ROBINSON SCOTT

“A People without knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture are like a tree without it’s roots” ~ Marcus M Garvey Every year during Black History Month, much is said about Harriet Tubman and how she helped slaves escape to freedom via the Underground Railroad. Well, while researching, I came across another “Harriet” who many Black People have hardly ever heard of. Interesting enough, this Harriet is actually connected to the landmark Missouri Supreme Court decision that held that The “U.S. Constitution” wasn’t meant to include American citizenship for Negroes( regardless of whether they were free or enslaved ). Therefore, Negroes should not be allotted any of the rights and privileges conferred to in the U.S.Constitution. Although through the years, many Black People have heard about the famous court case{ Dred Scott vs Sandford }, few can tell you that the case not only included Mr. Dred Scott, but also included his wife and their children as well! So what does this Harriet have to do with the case? You guessed it, this Harriet was Dred Scott’s wife. Harriet Robinson Scott was born into slavery in the state of Virginia[ around 1815 ]. She was a house Negro for a White man by the name of Major Lawrence Taliaferro. When he received his orders to go and stay at Ft. Snelling( Ft Snelling was Freedom territory, even though many Blacks lived there as slaves ), she went along with him. Around 1936, Dred Scott and his White slave-owner[ a military surgeon named Dr. John Emerson ], arrived at Ft. Snelling. After Dred met Harriet, he started to develop feelings for her. Harriet’s owner decided to sell her to Dred’s owner, so that Dred & Harriet could marry and be together. The couple was not always required to go with their White Masta’ when he received orders to be stationed at other places. Sometimes, they stayed for months in other places without their White Masta’ even being around. When Dr John Emerson died in 1843, ownership of Dred, Harriet, and their two children was passed down to his White wife, Irene Emerson. The Scott family ended up being hired out to different people in St. Louis, Missouri. While in St. Louis the couple came into contact with a group of people who were working to abolish slavery in St. Louis. They were advised by the group to petition for their freedom. On April 6,1836, they filed separate petitions with the St. Louis circuit court, on the grounds that they had lived much of their lives in Freedom territory. After the court dismissed their first petitions, the couple resubmitted petitions for their freedom. However, this time the court decided to combine their petitions together under the heading,”Dred Scott.” On January 12, 1850, the St. Louis circuit court ruled in favor of their Freedom petition. Soon after the ruling, their owner{ Irene Emerson } got with her brother, John Sandford and appealed the ruling to the Missouri Supreme Court. The Missouri Supreme Court reversed the ruling of the circuit court on the grounds that Negroes had no rights to sue Whites in court, because they were not considered citizens of the United States of America! Irene Emerson ended up selling The Scott family to a White family who supported Freedom for Negro slaves. At last, the family who bought the Scott family went on to set the entire Scott family free on May 26, 1857. 1857. In closing, it was reported that because the “circuit court” in St Louis had actually “ruled in favor” of the Scott’s petition for Freedom, White People in southern{ and some northern } states feared that more courts would grant more Negro slaves their Freedom. Therefore, it can be said that the historic “Scott vs Sandford” court case was one of “the sparks” that helped start the American Civil War!

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” : LAWYER JAMES SHARP JR

This week’s article is about a local Black man from the town of Richwood, Louisiana. Not only did he graduate from Richwood High School rand Southern University, but he was also a U.S. Veteran of WWll. After returning home to Monroe, Louisiana from Law School and the war, he opened up his Law Practice in April of 1952[ making him the first Black lawyer to open up a practice in Monroe ]. Three years later he married a local teacher by the name of Barbara L Wilson. Who knew that this union would later produce 2 lawyers( Carl Sharp & Alvin Sharp ; who both would serve as Ouachita Parish Judges ) and an actor{ George”Monti” Sharp }. This man was Lawyer James Sharp Jr. Being that Lawyer Sharp was one of the few Black lawyers in Monroe at the time[ and because people knew they could count on him to do his best to defend them ], he was often called on to help defend numerous Blacks in Ouachita Parish. One of his most memorable cases was “The Sharp vs Lucky court case”( James Sharp Jr. vs Mrs. Mae LUCKY, Registrar of Voters, Ouachita Parish United States District Court ) that took place in 1958. In addition to being connected to attempts by Whites to keep Blacks from registering to vote, the case was also connected to the “GREAT VOTER PURGE” which started around that time in Ouachita Parish. Originally, Lawyer Sharp’s lawsuit was only on behalf of himself{ stating that his rights as a lawyer had been violated }, but the case was dismissed due to causes of jurisdiction[ Lawyer Sharp countered by appealing the ruling ]. However, in his appeal, Lawyer Sharp was Sharp! He amended his lawsuit to read that this time he wasn’t filing his suit as a lawyer, but as a Negro citizen whose civil rights had been violated. By doing so, two of the judges not only allowed his suit to go forward, they advised Lawyer Sharp that if he wanted to, he could amend the lawsuit even further( so as to include other Negroes with similar lawsuits ) as a “CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.” On the surface , the judges made it seem like they were trying to be impartial. Sadly, they had no intentions of being fair or ruling in favor of a Negro citizen against a White citizen{ again they dismissed his lawsuit on the grounds that Mrs Lucky and her White assistant wouldn’t lie in court }. Although both of his lawsuits were dismissed, Lawyer Sharp helped bring “National Attention” to how Black People in Monroe were being discriminated against in regards to voting. Before he died, the Louisiana Bar Association thanked Lawyer Sharp for dedicating his life to serving the public[ over 50 long years ]. Also, along with having The Monroe City Court Building named in his honor, a commissioned portrait of James Sharp Jr hangs inside of the Monroe City Courthouse Building. In closing, I would like to share this information with the Black citizens of Monroe. In case y’all didn’t know, I found out earlier this year that a new “VOTER PURGE” has begun in Ouachita Parish. If you didn’t vote in the last three elections, please contact the Registrar of Voter office and inquire if your name is on the list of “INACTIVE VOTERS.”

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” : MORDECAI WYATT JOHNSON

In 1991, Michael Jackson had a hit song called “Black or White.” It went something like this, “Now, I believe in miracles, and a miracle has happened tonight, Hee! - but, if you’re thinking about my baby, It don’t matter if you’re Black or White! Regretfully, in America, it does “STILL” seem to matter if you’re Black or White. It matters so much that a rule was used to determine whether people were considered White or another race. Although the “One Drop Blood Rule” wasn’t codified as law until the 20th century, it was used in 1926 when Mordecai Wyatt Johnson was installed as President of Howard University on June 26, 1926[ Note : Howard University is known as “The Black Harvard” of HBCUs ]. Even in 2022, Mordecai Wyatt Johnson remains one of the most “overlooked” Negro Leaders of The 20th Century. He was born on January 4, 1890 in Paris, Tennessee, to the Reverend Wyatt and Carolyn Freeman Johnson{ both of his parents were former slaves }. After his mother’s death, he decided that he would become a preacher. Later, he earned his BA from Atlanta Baptist College—now Morehouse College. Not long after his arrival at Atlanta Baptist College,there was a Race-riot. Clearly,he didn’t participate in the horrible Atlanta “1906 Race-riot,” but he never was able to forget the violence and turmoil that he witnessed! He later went on to form a strong bond with the President of Atlanta Baptist College, John Hope. When he graduated, the President offered him a teaching job at the University. Furthermore,he is best known for becoming the first Negro President of Howard University, and for having served in the position as President the longest( he served as President of Howard University from 1926 - 1960 ). Although, he was an Educator, he was also a Baptist Preacher. In 1917, he became pastor of the First Baptist Church in Charleston, West Virginia.Also, he was considered to be one of the three leading African-American preachers of the early 20th-century, along with Vernon Johns and Howard Thurman. Going by appearance and skin color alone, Mordecai Wyatt Johnson could easily “PASS”[ many Negroes of light skin complexion actually passed themselves off as being white, lived in White neighborhoods, and lived as Whites lived ] as being a member of the White race. However, due to the “Blood Rule,” he was considered a Negro. It is confusing{ almost disturbing } to me how a man who looked White, but was considered Black could be so overlooked in the teaching of American history in our public schools. Especially since Mordecai Wyatt Johnson was President of Howard University for more than “30 years!” Additionally, he ranked high amongst the Baptist clergy of his day. Remember, we’re not talking about your “Average Leroy” on the streets of Monroe, Louisiana. We’re talking about a Negro who actually met, talked to, and collaborated with most of the major National Black Leaders of the 20th Century such as Martin L King Jr , Thurgood Marshall , Dr Ralph Bunch,Andrew Young, Jessie Jackson, and many, many others! During his tenure as President, Mordecai Wyatt Johnson kept copious notes and documentation known as his”Presidential Papers.” Many of them are still not available to the public. Hopefully, as they are made known. We will gain a better understanding of how he was able to lead Howard University through those turbulent times, and maybe learn why his story was left out of the American history books in our public schools. On September 6, 1973,”The Mordecai Wyatt Johnson Administration Building” was dedicated in his honor. He died on September 10, 1976.

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” : BEVERLY LORRAINE GREENE

What were the odds of a Black “Bi-racial” female who was raised on Chicago’s predominately Black Southside[ known as the “Black Ghetto ], becoming the first Negro female licensed Architect In America, in 1936? Well, Beverly Lorraine Greene had A Dream. She was born on October 4, 1915, to James A. and Vera Greene. Their family was part of the “Great Migration “ that helped transform the city of Chicago. When she completed high school, she enrolled at the racially integrated University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign(UIUC). While there she pledged with the “Delta Sigma Theta” sorority, one of the most popular national sororities for Black women. In 1936, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering[ she was the first Negro female to earn this degree from this university ]. As a matter of fact, she was the only Black to graduate that year with a degree in Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The next year she earned her Master’s degree in city planning and housing. After graduation, she returned to Chicago and was hired by the Chicago Housing Authority. Also, Beverly Lorraine Greene ended up working for the first architectural office headed by a Negro{ in downtown Chicago }. On December 28, 1942, Beverly L Greene “made history” by becoming the first licensed Negro female Architect in America! In 1945, after learning about a big housing development project forming in New York , she decided to move to New York City . She applied for and got the position to work on the project, but she would only work there for about 2 and 1/2 days( because she landed a scholarship into a master’s degree program in Architecture at Columbia University ). Once she received her master’s degree from Columbia University, she was hired by the Isadore Rosenfield firm. During her career, Beverly Lorraine Greene made strong alliances with leading Black architects[ they would prove to be valuable in helping her land,begin,and finish many of her projects ]. Additionally, Beverly Lorraine Greene was successful in making an impact Internationally in Paris, France. Before her death, she helped Architect Marcel Breuer design The UNESCO{ United Nations headquarters } building in Paris ,which was completed in 1958. Sadly,she did not live to see several of her final development projects come through to fruition. However, through all her development projects( including the ones she helped others put together ), she left behind an “amazing legacy” for the whole world to see! On August 22, 1957, Beverly Lorraine Greene past away in New York City, New York{ her funeral was held at the Unity Funeral Home in Manhattan,New York }, a structure she helped design. She was only “41 years old.” In closing, I would like to share a question that “Speaks Volumes!” It reads,”Can you Imagine if schools actually helped kids identify their strengths, by exploring their talents from a young age, and growing their skills over the 12 years of school, instead of letting them all follow the same routine and leaving them confused in life after( at ) Graduation ?”

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” : JOHN MERRICK

John Merrick was born into slavery on September 7, 1859( in Clinton, North Carolina ). His parents were so poor, that he had  to start working at an early age, in order to help support his parents and siblings. It was during the Reconstruction period that John Merrick was able to learn how to read and write at a local Reconstruction school. As he grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina , he learned the brick mason trade[  and during the construction lulls , he practiced and learned the barber trade as well ]. When John Merrick moved from Raleigh to Durham, North Carolina, he got a job as a barber working for a man by the name of John Wright. He and Mr Wright later  became business  partners, and when   Mr Wright  retired, he became sole owner of the barber shop. If John Merrick would have stopped at only being a barbershop owner, he still would have been considered successful. However, he did not stop there! He went on to establish several other businesses in Durham, North Carolina. Some of his numerous businesses included The North Carolina Mutual Company, the Merrick-Moore-Spaulding Real Estate Company, several Barbershops, The Mechanics and Farmers Bank, and The Bull City Drug Company that he founded with his two Negro partners Charles C Spaulding Sr and Dr Aaron Moore. When the famous educator Booker T Washington toured Durham, North Carolina in 1910, he made special mention of John Merrick and his contributions to the city of Durham. Furthermore, on November 2, 2019, John Merrick was recognized alongside Charles C Spaulding Sr and Richard Fitzgerald as main honouree's  by the Sesquicentennial Honors Commission at the Durham 150 Closing Ceremony in Durham, North Carolina. John Merrick died in 1919, and He was buried in Sumter, South Carolina. In closing, I would like to ask the question that Booker T Washington asked about the poorest Black people of Durham, North Carolina{ except, I would like to ask it about the poorest Black citizens of Monroe, Louisiana }. The question is this : What are the poorest Black people in Monroe doing and how are the poorest Black people in Monroe living? Booker T Washington went on to say that it is upon the “CONDUCT” of this “CLASS” of Blacks that the “real estimate”  of our race is generally formed.

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” : HENRIETTA W JOHNSON

Growing up in the Bryant Addition part of Monroe, Louisiana, during my teen years. Me, my brothers, and my brothers from other mothers would often venture from our homes to the local community center. Now that I am older, I appreciate that we had a local recreational center within walking distance, even more than I did back then. We would go there and hangout, play basketball,and some would even play table tennis. The kids would go crazy during the summer when they would open the swimming pool. Come to think of it, when became 18 years of age, I cast my first official Vote there{ I believe that recreational center help saved many of us from the streets }. Sometimes leaving the center, I would look up at the letters on the outside of the building. The letters spelled, Henrietta Windham Johnson Recreation Center. Come to find out that the Center was named for an Outstanding Lady of African descent.Not only that, but she was also a pioneer in Schooling and Civil Rights in Monroe, Louisiana and Ouachita Parish. Henrietta W Johnson was born in Rayville on November 15, 1876. Her parents were Mr & Mrs Lewis Windham . In 1901, she married Principal Arthur Herbert Johnson Sr.( their daughter Henri-Anna would later marry Principal Henry Carroll ). After attending the Wisner School in Franklin Parish, at the tender age of 14,she enrolled in Leland University in New Orleans[ a private institution of higher learning for African Americans ]. Incidentally, Henrietta W Johnson worked with Principal M. J. Foster At The North Louisiana Industrial High School{ that was located on Texas Ave in Monroe,Louisiana }that was created by the Negro 10th District Baptist Association in 1885. By the way, she became the principal of the school when Principal Foster left the school in 1920.During the Great Depression Years in Monroe, Louisiana, Henrietta W Johnson was instrumental in forming a National Youth Association School for unemployed women in Monroe, Louisiana. Additionally, she was a tireless worker with the Monroe Chapter of the NAACP. On top of all her other activities, Henrietta W Johnson was active in the Zion Traveler Baptist Church in Monroe as well as The 10th District Baptist Association. Furthermore, she helped promote and erect The Excelsior Women’s Council House on 11th St in Monroe,Louisiana. For “50 years” Henrietta W Johnson labored as a teacher and educator, and it is fitting that on Sunday April 8, 1962 that they held The Dedication of The Henrietta W Johnson Recreational Center on Burg Jones Lane!

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” : NEGROS FOR DEFENSE AND JUSTICE INC.

 Before I  begin my lead story, I would like to mention a few events surrounding and leading up to it. Most of the events took place between 1961 and 1965. First up, the State of Louisiana tried to get the NAACP to turnover a list of the names of its members. The State even went as far as “suing” the NAACP in court( Louisiana ex rel. Gremillion v. NAACP court case ) in 1961  to keep the NAACP from operating in Louisiana. Nevertheless, to keep from dealing with the Louisiana law about turning in member names, many of the NAACP Chapters in Louisiana discontinued operations and became Voter Leagues instead.  Next, who could forget “FREEDOM SUMMER” in 1964. Freedom Summer was a C.O.R.E.[ Congress of Racial Equality ] operation  to register more Black voters . The Deacons For Defense protected all of the members of C.O.R.E. who stayed in Jonesboro, Louisiana during Freedom Summer. During those times, some  people would say that the greatest event that transpired was the landmark  Civil Rights Law passed by the U.S. Congress, known as The Civil Rights Act of 1964. Conversely, some people would say that the 1965 Jackson High School boycott in Jonesboro, Louisiana was equally important as  any other event at that time. Throw in the fact that the White Citizens’ Council and The Ku Klux Klan had begun their racists & brutal attacks on Negroes in Louisiana, escalating racial tension amongst the Whites and Blacks . Plus, Martin L. King Jr and the NAACP were insisting on using non-violent civil disobedience measures in response of attacks by whites. Additionally, the local  police weren’t trying to stop the Klan from harassing the Black citizens of Jonesboro. Needless to say, the Black citizens of Jonesboro,Louisiana were in strong need of protection! Now to the featured story. Several months before the death of Malcolm X,  in the small town of Jonesboro, Louisiana, a group of Black males{ some who had fought in Vietnam  } united,organized, and founded the “Deacons For Defense”( and Justice Inc ) Organization. Although the group was actually established in 1964, they didn’t file their paperwork with the state until March of 1965[ Note : Mrs Barbara L Sharp of Monroe, Louisiana name appears on the witness page of the group’s Articles of Incorporation ]. It is also rumored that the group sought and received counsel from Barbara Sharp’s husband{ Attorney James Sharp Jr } when they came to Monroe in March of 1965. Also, it was reported that a Deacons for Defense Chapter was established in Bogalusa, Louisiana on February 21, 1965( the same day that Malcolm X was assassinated ). In order to become a member of the Deacons For Defense, you had to be a male, at least 21 years of age, know how to properly handle and operate a gun, be mild mannered( not a hot-head ), be well respected in the community, and pay your monthly dues and other membership  fees.  One of the members named Army Johnson, owned a place of business called “The Joy Room.” The facility featured a cafe’, a barbershop, a roller skating rink, a washateria, and a boarding house. Like most of the Black organizations, the Deacons of Defense were said to have had FBI informants who infiltrated their group. One of the White C.O.R.E. members from New York is said to have personally given secret information to the FBI about the group as early as January of 1965. In a speech given by the group’s Vice-President, Ernest Thomas, the group had over 55 Chapters throughout the South and the United States. It was surprising…no shocking for the police{ and the Klansmen } to see Black men with guns who weren’t afraid of them, and weren’t afraid to use their guns to defend themselves and members of their Black communities. There were several instances where members of The Deacons For Defense had to use their weapons to show the Klan and the police that they were going to defend themselves with guns and rifles, if necessary. In 2003, the story about the Deacons For Defense was made into an American television drama film directed by Bill Duke,  and starred Ossie Davis and Forest Whitaker. In closing, I would like to say that while the Deacons For Defense group only  lasted a few years, the impact they made and the legacy they left behind will last forever! 

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” : ROBERT F WILLIAMS

   Today, in Monroe, Louisiana with all that has been going on. It is fitting to begin this article with a quote from a little known Black Leader who played a big part in the Civil Rights Movement. Even today, his quote,”It’s Time For Black Men to Standup and Be Men” speaks volumes! The person that I am speaking of was Robert F Williams. He was one of the first Black  Civil Rights Leader to bring international attention to the Black man’s struggle for civil rights in America. In addition to being a Negro Civil Rights Leader, Robert F Williams was the author of the “Negro Classic” non-fictional book,”Negroes With Guns.” A book that is said to have inspired Huey P Newton, Bobby Seale, and Elbert Howard to form the legendary “Black Panther Party.” Additionally, the book is reportedly to have influenced a group of courageous Negro men in Jonesboro, Louisiana , who were led by Earnest “Chilly Willy” Thomas and Frederick Douglas Kirkpatrick in forming the “The Deacons for Defense and Justice.” Robert  F Williams was born in Monroe on February 26, 1925. Back then,The City of Monroe had a racist police officer( who later became  the Chief of police in Monroe) by the name of Jesse Helms Sr{ who was the father of the racist Senator, Jesse Helms Jr }. When he was only 11 years  old, Robert witnessed the dragging and beating of a Black lady by Officer Jesse Helms. However , before I continue with my story, I must alert you that the city he was born in was “Monroe, North Carolina,”( and not  Monroe, Louisiana ). Now,back to the story. When Robert’s grandfather died, his grandmother gave him his grandfather’s gun. An act that would prove to have a great influence on and in his life as an adult. Robert was drafted in 1944 to serve in WWll. He ended up as a private in the segregated Marines[ where he remained for almost 2 years ].Soon after his return to Monroe, North Carolina, Robert joined the local chapter of the NAACP. Surprisingly, he was elected President of the Monroe chapter. Due to the high presence of the Ku Klux Klan and their frequent harassment of Black females, Robert applied to the National Rifle Association for a charter for a local rifle club. He named the Monroe chapter of the NRA,”The Black Armed Guard.” In the summer of 1957, The Black Armed Guard were dispatched to the home of the Vice-President of the NAACP( Dr. Albert E. Perry) to protect him from an attack by the local Klan{KKK}. The members of the KKK drove up to the house and fired first, and the members of The Black Armed Guard returned their gunfire, and ran them off! The area of town in Monroe where Robert lived was called,”Newtown”{ Newtown was also where the Freedom Riders were housed while in Monroe, North Carolina }. The main thing that stands out about Robert F Williams is his courage and commitment to protecting Blacks from those who were trying to do them harm. He died on October 15,1996 in Michigan. The Mother of the Civil Rights struggle, Rosa Parks gave the eulogy at his funeral in 1996, praising him  for his commitment and courage in the fight for civil rights in America. 

“0UR RICH BLACK HERITAGE. : ETHEL L PAYNE

One of the pioneers of the Black Press was “ETHEL L PAYNE.” Many people referred to Ethel as The “FIRST LADY” of the Black Press. Well, interesting enough, her career didn’t begin as a journalist at all. It was documented that she left her job as a senior library assistant with the Chicago Public Library in 1948 to move overseas to accept a job as a service club hostess at the Army Special Services Club( an organisation similar to the Red Cross ) in Tokyo, Japan. Ethel L Payne later became the Director of the Services Club in Tokyo. Although she was good at her job, in her heart she felt a longing to become a writer. Therefore, she decided to keep a journal of her experiences in Tokyo. After several months of journaling, a reporter from Chicago ended up visiting the Services Club where Ethel worked. Ethel saw this as an opportunity to get an expert’s opinion of her writings in her journal. So, she arranged a meeting where the reporter could review her writings. The visiting reporter from the Chicago Defender newspaper was so intrigued with Ethel’s journal that the reporter agreed to take Ethel’s journal back to the United States. Within a couple of weeks, Ethel’s writings were being used in the Chicago Defender newspaper, as the basis for front page stories! Thanks to the reporter helping to use her writings,Ethel decided to move back to the United States{ in 1951 } to accept a position working for Sengstacke Newspapers,the publisher of the Chicago Defender. Ethel L Payne went on to cover many historic events of the Civil Rights Era. Also, she once asked President Dwight D Eisenhower a question that angered him very much. It was the question of exactly when he planned on ending segregation in interstate travel? As a representative of the Black Press, Ethel L Payne even went and covered the Vietnam War, along with covering the events of the African-American troops in Vietnam. In 2002, Ethel L Payne was one of four journalists honoured with a U.S. postage stamp in a “Women of Journalism” set. Not only was Ethel a pioneer in The Black Press, she was an “Instrument of Change!” On May 28, 1991, Ethel L Payne died of a heart attack(at her home in Washington D.C. ). In closing, thanks to The Black Press, the stories and achievements of the Negro are being told and retold again and again! Black parents and Black children can hold their heads high and know that their ancestors accomplished great things, despite having to endure the degradation of slavery and racism in America.

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” - RICHARD. BARRINGTON ( encore edition )

ONCE upon a time in old Monroe( back when White people “ LITERALLY OWNED” Negroes as their private property ), there lived a respectable Negro slave named, Richard Barrington. It is reported that he came to America via a slave-ship called, “The Hunter.” At the tender age of 16, young Richard was sold to Solomon Downs of Ouachita Parish[ in Louisiana ]. He went back to Monroe, Louisiana with Solomon Downs to live on the Down’s Plantation { about 3 miles south of Monroe }. It was on the Down’s Plantation that Richard learned to read and write.He took full advantage of his master’s extensive library.When Solomon Downs was elected as Senator of Louisiana in 1847, he took his trusted slave,Richard Barrington along with him. Richard would serve Senator Downs in many capacities, including cook,butler, barber,body servant,private secretary, and treasurer. Upon his death, Senator Downs granted “FREEDOM” to Richard and his family. It was also reported that Richard Barrington bought the tombstone for his former master’s grave( the grave is here in Monroe at Riverview Cemetery ). Richard Barrington is also known to have operated a fine barbershop, which was located on South Grande St. in Monroe. Richard Barrington died on November 19, 1904. Some of the White folks were said to have liked Richard Barrington so much that they had his obituary printed in The New Orleans Times newspaper. Some of the citizens of Monroe, Louisiana who can be traced back to Richard Barrington include Maurice Johnson[ a former band director of Carroll High School and Grambling State University ], and Richard Zemry Johnson Sr, a former band director of Richwood High School . In closing, it is saddening that many Blacks in Monroe do not know that Richard Barrington was the founder of one of the first schools for Negroes in Monroe, Louisiana. The school was named “ The Wisner School.” It was reportedly located on the same site as the Black Charter School founded in Monroe by Roosevelt Wright( Excellence Academy ). It’s a shame that our young Black men in Monroe, Louisiana know more about the history of the National Football League, than they know about their BlACK ancestors that lived and paved the way for us today! EXRTA INFO : Since Richard Barrington was designated a "House-Slave" by his master, he got to stay in the "Big House" and learn to read as well.His wife's name was Letitia and the couple had 3 children.His son Frank Barrington would go on to finish college in St. Louis, and then returned to Monroe,Louisiana to help his father start the Wisner School. The Wisner school housed all 12 grades and Frank Barrington became the school's first principal.In 1922, Monroe Colored High replaced the Wisner School( and later Carroll High School would replace Monroe Colored High as the High School for Colored People in the city of Monroe ). Also, in 1894 Richard Barrington was interviewed by a reporter from the Daily Picayune Newspaper.During the Interview, Richard Barrington elaborared to the reporter about his experiences as a slave, and the events he encountered while traveling with his master. This is how the article about the interview started : The Daily Picayune (New Orleans, LA), November 4, 1894, Page 23 RICHARD BARRINGTON : The Story of a Faithful Old Colored Servant,Several state papers carried his obituary, including the New Orleans Times-Democrat (November 20, 1904, Page 9). Then, Here's the obituary for Richard Barrington that was published in the New Orleans newspaper. MONROE.Louisiana : Death of an Old and Respected Negro. Special to The Times-Democratic. Monroe, Nov. 19. – There died to-day at his humble home near this city a notable character, a negro respected by all who knew him, white and black alike. Richard W. Barrington, aged eighty-five years, was the best and highest type of negro. Before the war he was the body servant of Gen. Solomon W. Downs, and while his master represented his State in the United States Senate during slavery days, he always accompanied and tended him. With his master, he met all the celebrities, Webster, Clay, Calhoun and others, and many were the interesting anecdotes he told of them and Washington life. his demeanor toward the whites was always respectful. The funeral will take place to-morrow at 12 o’clock from his home, east of town, the burial to be in his family burying ground.

HERITAGE” - MARY CHURCH TERRELL

When you think about any of the long-term Black Civil RightS Organizations in Monroe , Louisiana, one of the first that comes to mind is “The National Association For The Advancement of Colored People( NAACP). During Black History Month,if you were to ask anyone about the early days of The NAACP Organization. The two names most commonly mentioned in the African-American community are W.E.B. Dubois and Ida B Wells.Well, I went back and discovered that there was another outstanding Negro female who was also a co-founder of The NAACP Organization. Her name was “Mary Church Terrell.” She was born Mary Eliza Church on September 23, 1863. According to several sources, both of Mary’s parents were of mixed ancestry. Her paternal grandfather was Captain Charles B. Church[ a white steamship owner and operator from Virginia ].Mary’s father, Robert Church, was smart with the money he earned as a steward on his father’s ship. He saved his money and invested in real estate. He made a killing off of the property he bought at the time when the city of Tennessee was “depopulated” and following the 1878 yellow fever epidemic.Need-less-to-say, Robert Church is considered to have been the first African-American millionaire in the South. Mary Church Terrell excelled in school and is famous for being one of the first African-American women to earn a college degree. Not only was She affluent in the English language, but she was also affluent in the French and German languages as well. By the way, in addition to being a co-founder of The NAACP, she also co-founded The Colored Women’s League in 1892( in Washington, D.C.). Interestingly, in 1896, the Colored Women's League and the Federation of Afro-American Women merged to form the National Association of Colored Women[ NACW ], with Mary Church Terrell as the first president. She was also a co-founder of The National Association of College Women in 1923. Mary went on to join the fight for women’s suffrage and civil rights for Negroes . Some of the tactics she used in fighting for equal rights were sit-ins, boycotts, and picketing. Due to her work and affiliation with several of the white citizens of Washington , Mary decided to attend a convention for the National American Woman Suffrage Association ( NAWSA ). It was while attending this NAWSA Convention in the early 1890s that Mary stood up and spoke up for Colored women. Among the speakers on the platform that day was none other than Susan B Anthony. Susan B Anthony asked Mary if she was a member of the NAWSA Organization. Mary said, no she wasn’t, but she hoped that the convention members were open to suggestions from a Colored woman. Mary and Susan went on to work together on many other projects dealing with women’s suffrage. After a life-time of fighting for women’s rights and the civil rights of Negroes, Mary died two months after the famous “Brown vs The Board of Education” decision of The Supreme Court in 1954. Then when you thought that you had heard the last of Mary Church Terrell, she was inducted as a member of “The 2020 National Women’s Hall of Fame” along with Aretha Franklin, Toni Morrison, and Henrietta Lacks{ I urge everyone to please go online and read more about this “Phenomenal Black Woman” & co-founder of The NAACP, Mary Church Terrell }. From my research, it appears to me that while Blacks still have Black organizations in Monroe, Louisiana, just as Blacks did back in Mary’s time. Surprisingly, the Black organizations that we have today don’t seem to all be on one accord. It’s not that they do not get along, it’s that they’re not working together in unison. How are Blacks going to get their fare share of what they are due, if we aren’t going to get on the same page. Sadly, I have yet to see the Black Leaders in Monroe, Louisiana begin to unite & organize the Black citizens of Monroe.We have less than two years to unite the Black citizens of Monroe, so that we can say farewell to Mayor Oliver Ellis!!!

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” - JOHN WESLEY CROMWELL

 Known for his natural ability for creating intellectual organisations and his knowledge of Negro History, John Wesley Cromwell was a  teacher, journalist lawyer, teacher, and civil rights activist. He was born on September 5,1846. Several of his other list of accolades included being one of founders of The Bethel Literary & Historical Society and The American Negro Academy( in Washington D.C.). Being a man in demand, he was also founder, editor, or contributor to a number of newspapers and journals{ including most prominently, “The People’s Advocate.” } Later in his life, John Wesley Cromwell was a strong advocate of black-owned businesses and encouraged black economic success. Additionally, He thought that Blacks should stick together and support Black businesses. He wrote a interesting book in 1914 titled,”The Negro in American History: Men and Women Eminent in the Evolution of the American of African Descent.” His book influenced Carter G Woodson to create The Association for the Study  of Negro Life and History in 1915. John Wesley Cromwell died  on April 14, 1927[ in Washington D.C. ]. Lately, In Monroe, Louisiana there has been much talk and discussion concerning economic development. While Mayor Oliver Ellis has been fervently pushing the Northside’s plan for economic development, The Southside Economic Development District (S.E.D.D.) has come up with a 25 year plan for the economic development of the “SOUTHSIDE” of Monroe. Somehow, Mayor Ellis keeps failing to understand that the Black citizens of Monroe would like see improvements on their side of town too( not just downtown)! As a matter of fact, not only doesn’t Mayor Ellis get it,  the Black members of the Monroe City Council don’t seem to get it either! Recently, the mayor and the city council  completely ignored the recommendations from citizens of Monroe to delay the vote and approval of giving city funds to State Representative Mike Echols private company. In closing, I would hope that the Black Leaders in Monroe, Louisiana would begin working on uniting and organizing the Black citizens of Monroe, so we can get Mayor Ellis and The Monroe City Council to embrace and fully support “THE SOUTHSIDE DREAM,”like they are embracing and supporting “The Downtown Dream!”

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” - GEORGE B HAMLET

“Only By Knowing Our Past, Can We Better Understand The Present, And Prepare For An Even Brighter Future “ ~ Garry O Blanson Before 2022, I was told and thought that Abe Piere was the first Black Mayor of Monroe, Louisiana. However, while doing research, I discovered that Abe Pierce wasn’t Monroe’s first Black Mayor. According to my research, a Negro[ possibly a Mulatto ] by the name of George B Hamlet holds that honor. He was originally from Ohio, but in 1869,he moved to New Orleans.  Around the next year, Hamlet made his way to Tensas parish{ according to government records he moved to Monroe February 3, 1873 }.During Reconstruction, George B Hamlet was appointed by Governor William Kellogg as Monroe’s first African-American Mayor( and then Ouachita Parish’s first African-American Sheriff ). At the end of Reconstruction in Ouachita parish, he went to live in Washington D.C. where he became Chief Postal Inspector of the Post Office( becoming the first African-American to do so ). It was said that the people in Washington D.C. did not realize his race until he had held the post for many years. George B Hamlet died in Landover, MD January 24, 1926, leaving behind a wife and son }.During the period following the American Civil War( known as The Reconstruction Era ), Negroes in Monroe, Louisiana and other parts of the U.S. experienced many social and economic advancements. Combined with the Abolishment of slavery and Negro males being able to vote[ due to the passing of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution ; plus the fact that many of the White males could not vote, because they had supported the Confederates ], Negroes were able to elect Blacks to Congress in several states in the South & North. Ok, Fast-forward to 2022. Currently in Monroe, Louisiana there are a sizeable amount of Black males and Black females holding government positions. Also, as of 2022, the Black population is documented at 60% - 61.3. Based on these numbers alone, It seems to me that it should be easy for the Black Leaders in Monroe, Louisiana to unite and organise the Black citizens of Monroe and come up with an Agenda to help improve and rebuild our Black Communities here in Monroe, Louisiana.

OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” ~ ALFRED LAWLESS

Recently, I read about A Petition. The Petition read, “Change Our School Name back to Alfred Lawless High School.” You see, when Hurricane Katrina devastated the lower 9th Ward Black Community in New Orleans, Louisiana. It also destroyed The Alfred Lawless High School. The High School was named for Rev. Alfred Lawless . The Alfred Lawless High School was founded in the lower ninth ward as a public school( Alfred Lawless High School has graduated lawyers, educators, entrepreneurs, nurses, and politicians ).   So who was Alfred Lawless, you might ask? Well, he was born on July 26,1872 in Thibodaux, Louisiana. He attended Straight University in New Orleans and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1900, and a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1902. In 1903, the American Missionary Association sent Alfred Lawless to “Oscar, Louisiana” to replace Laforest A Planving[ the Negro principal and founder of Pointe Coupe Industrial High School ].After his arrival at the High School in Oscar,Louisiana, Mr. Lawless was shot at and advised to get out of town. He went back to New Orleans, Louisiana . In 1904, he founded the Beecher Memorial Congregational Church. In 1914, he became the principal of Fisk Colored School.  Additionally, Rev. Alfred Lawless became the Superintendent of Negro Congregational Churches in the South in 1917{ Alfred Lawless High School and the Lawless Memorial Chapel on Dillard University's campus were named in his honor }. While writing this article, I got to thinking about the some of the buildings in our Black Communities that were once here, but are now gone and forgotten. Like Mt Nebo School that was on Jackson St in Monroe,the Booker T Washington School that use to be in Booker T on Powell Ave, Johnson Cleaners that was on Swayze St near Carroll High School, and The Negro Knights of Pythias Lodge building that was located near the city graveyard in Monroe.How many can you remember???  

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE ” - LYDIA HAMILTON SMITH

Lydia Hamilton was born at Russell Tavern, in Adams County, Pennsylvania . She was the widow of a Gettysburg Negro barber named Jacob Smith, who died in 1852 ; by whom she had two children. Since she had an Irish father, she was a known as a “quadroon”( she had Caucasian features and a skin of light-gold tint...with Irish eyes, like her Irish father). In 1847, Lydia moved with her two boys to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to work as house keeper for Thaddeus Stevens[ the White Lawyer and Radical Republican who helped craft “The Historic 14th Amendment to The U.S. Constitution” ]. It was by managing Thaddeus Stevens business affairs and housekeeping that Lydia learned the skills that she would later use to run her own Businesses. After Thaddeus Stevens's death in 1868, in addition to buying his house in Lancaster{ partially from money that he left her in his Will }, Smith operated a prosperous boarding house across from the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C., as well as invested in real estate and other business ventures. Maybe some of you all will remember that S. Epatha Merkerson’s portrayed Lydia Hamilton Smith in the 2012 film “LINCOLN.” In closing,The main reason I started off my series of articles about Black People who owned businesses is because, I feel that there is a great need for more Black Owned businesses here in Monroe( especially on the SOUTHSIDE & Eastside ).There once was a time in Monroe, Louisiana when Blacks had their own thriving economy. Where Blacks could buy and trade goods from one another.Why, I recently heard about how Rev Roosevelt Wright’s father had a taxi stand on Desiard St ; Also Mr Joseph Pendleton had a gas service station on Desiard St ; “THE RITZ,” Negro Theatre was located on Desiard St ; and then who could forget the Historic “MILLER ROY” building that’s being renovated on Desiard St too.! Yes, Black People certainly had it “going on” way back then! Well, now it’s 2022, over a Century later. While businesses are still being started near Black Communities in Monroe, there still aren’t enough Black Owned business establishments. Again, I say…Somehow ,Someway, and Someday soon…we need to start & maintain more Black Businesses to help build and support our Black Communities here in Monroe, Louisiana.

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” - SAMUEL B FULLER

The Accomplishments of our Black ancestors should be and are very important to the older generation of Blacks living today( and to the younger generation as well). Back in 1905, when Samuel B Fuller was born in Monroe, Louisiana ( Ouachita Parish ), Black citizens were experiencing much prejudice and poverty. By the age of 10, S.B. Fuller had dropped out of school and had begun selling products door-to-door.Around 1920, his mother decided to move her family to Memphis Tennessee{ the same town where Martin Luther King was killed }.Two years later, his mother died and he and his six siblings had to fend for themselves.Samuel B Fuller didn’t mind working.By the age of 18, he was well on his way to becoming a very successful Entrepreneur. Before making friends with Lestine Thornton (who later became his wife), He worked several odd jobs.However, S.B. Fuller knew in his heart that he could never attain the financial success he desired working for someone else( you can’t either ).Therefore, he decided to enter a partnership with Lestine Thornton. In 1929, at the age of 24, he incorporated Fuller Products. While starting his own business, S.B. Fuller continued working at Commonwealth Burial Association.Due to the success of his own business, he was able to leave Commonwealth, open a factory for his business, and expand his line of products.Samuel B Fuller went on to purchase several newspapers including the New York Age and the Pittsburg Courier. Additionally, he owned the South Center Department Store and the Regal Theater in Chicago.In closing, I would like mention that the children of Black parents who lived here in Monroe between 1900 -1929 produced several of our strong,prominent “BLACK LEADERS.” Leaders like Dr. John Reddix Sr, Dr. Raymond Pierce, B.D. Robinson, Morris Henry Carroll, Abraham Bowie Sr, Ibra January Sr., and Joseph Miller Sr !!!” Furthermore, They did so with meager earnings , very little support from White people or Government Assistant programs such as W.I.C. or S.N.A.P.[ someway,somehow, someday soon, Black People in Monroe must find a way to repeat what Our Black ancestors have already done, done! ].

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” - Mary Ellen Pleasant

There’s an old saying that I learned from my Personal Development Studies. It says,”Change your plan, but not your goal.” Whenever I think about The Underground Railroad, my mind almost instantly thinks of Harriet Tubman. Well, by way of my research of Black History, I have learned about another courageous black female who was actively involved in The Underground Railroad. Although some people say that Mary Ellen Pleasant was born in 1812, she adamantly stated that she was born on August 19, 1814 . Furthermore, because of her light skin complexion[ and white associates /friends ], Mary Ellen Pleasant was able to “PASS” as being “WHITE!” She ended up marrying a man named James Smith, a wealthy flour contractor and plantation owner who had freed his slaves and was also able to “PASS as WHITE!” She and her husband worked together on the Underground Railroad until his death. Also to my surprise, I learned that Mary Pleasant & Harriet Tubman were reportedly good friends of John Brown( the White Abolitionist who unsuccessfully led the raid on Harper’s Ferry. It was said that if Harriet Tubman wasn’t ill at the time,she would have died or been captured at Harper’s Ferry). Beginning in the 1860s, Mary Ellen Pleasant was called the "Mother of Civil Rights in California" for her work as an abolitionist. In addition to being an Abolitionist, Mary Pleasant was also an entrepreneur, financier, and real-estate magnate[ She was arguably the first self-made millionaire of African-American heritage, preceding Madam C. J. Walker ]. In closing, I think BLACK PEOPLE would do well to go back and study( and see ) how Mary Ellen Pleasant repeatedly had to change her “PLANS,”but she NEVER changed her “GOAL” of helping Negroes escape to freedom!

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” - Anthony Overton ll

Even today, it still perplexes me that there was very little mention of successful Negro Businessmen when I attended school. Nevertheless, with in the past 5-10 years, I have discovered that there were several. One of the most successful, of the many successful Negro businessmen that I learned about was actually born in Monroe, Louisiana on March 21, 1865. His name is Anthony Overton ll{ there is actually a picture of him located at The Monroe African American museum, here in Monroe }. By the way, his father, Anthony Overton Sr. was instrumental in starting one of the 1st schools for Negroes in Monroe( after the American Civil War ). During the era of Reconstruction He attended public school in Monroe before the family moved to Kansas in the 1870s. After several successful businesses and not so successful, Anthony Overton relocated his business to Chicago in 1911. Within two years the company manufactured 62 products and had a sales staff of 32 full time employees as well as over 400 door-to-door sales people. Anthony Overton was a great banker, manufacturer, and the first Negro in America to lead a major business conglomerate. Additionally, He later went on to start a newspaper( The Chicago Bee ), an advertising magazine[ the Half-Century Magazine ]. He also ran a Insurance Company{ The Victory Life Insurance Company }. Plus,Anthony Overton oSo What’s amazing about all that Anthony Overton ll achieved? Well for one, since there was no Internet or cellphones in his day that allowed people to communicate and conduct business all across the world and back ; He and his salesmen had to go door-to-door( repeatedly having doors shut in their face ). Two, he got hundreds of black people to “NOT ONLY” buy his company’s many products and read his newspaper, but he also was able to succeed in getting thousands of black people to purchase life insurance from his insurance company and put their hard earned dollars in his bank! Which stands out even more so when we you look at the deteriorating & debilitating conditions presently going on in our black communities( all over America ).Needless to say, the present generation of black people had better unite,organize,make plans, and execute those plan meticulously & methodically !

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” ~ Ella Jo Baker

When we examine the problems of today, it’s good to go back and take a look at the problems of the past ,which just happen to also be problems of today! During the early 1900s,”Mrs Ella Baker,”a Negro civil rights activist, human rights activist , and community organizer, helped unite & organize black people for black economic development. For more than 5 decades, Ella Baker worked tirelessly to get Negroes to support themselves economically, so that they wouldn’t have to depend on outside assistance.Also, she often worked with other well-known black figures worked alongside some of the most noted civil rights leaders of the 20th century, including W. E. B. Du Bois, Thurgood Marshall, A. Philip Randolph, and Martin Luther King Jr. She also mentored many emerging activists, such as Diane Nash, Stokely Carmichael, and Bob Moses, as leaders in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) to help establish black economic networks, and develop cooperative economic societies throughout the United States for black economic development and causes.In short, Ella Baker took a proactive approach in solving the economic problems of the Negro In America.Furthermore, I would like to say that I believe as Mrs Baker believed. She believed that the bedrock of any social change organization is not its leaders' eloquence or credentials, but the commitment and hard work of the rank and file membership and their willingness and ability to engage in discussion, debate, and decision-making. Additionally, She especially stressed the importance of young people and women in the organization as well as the strong leadership of black men.Today, we are still fighting some of the same economic problems that existed back in the early 1900s. We all know what some of them are, but few of us are uniting and organizing the black people collectively to solve these economic problems!

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” - Marcus Mosiah Garvey

Welcome back Dear Readers. This Week’s article is about Marcus Mosiah Garvey. In the early 1920s, the most famous and feared black man in America was Marcus Garvey. At giant rallies, he demanded an end to the racial violence, poverty, and discrimination plaguing the country. Also, Marcus Garvey was noted for saying, “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” Marcus M. Garvey was born on August 17, 1887 in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica to Marcus Garvey Sr. and Sarah Jane Richards. His father was a stonemason and his mother was a household servant. He attended school in Jamaica until he was 14, when he left St. Ann’s Bay for Kingston, the island nation’s capital, where he worked as an apprentice in a print shop. While working in the print shop, Garvey became involved in the labor union for print tradesmen in Kingston. This work would set the stage for his activism later in life. In 1912, Garvey moved to London. While in Britain, he attended the University of London’s Birkbeck College, where he studied law and philosophy. After two years in London—where he received an education that would likely have been unavailable to him in the Americas because of the color of his skin—Garvey returned to Jamaica. It was during this time that he started the Universal Negro Improvement Association. Guided by the motto “One Aim. One God. One Destiny.” The organization’s aim was to promote among Blacks a sense of self-pride and pride in one’s race through economic independence. Additionally, Garvey was particularly inspired by African-American educationist, entrepreneur and activist Booker T. Washington. His first encounter with the works of Booker T. was at the library of the British Museum, where he read the famous book by Booker T. Washington,”Up from Slavery.” He was so moved from reading the book that he later wrote Booker T Washington a letter letting him know that he was going to be coming to America. Sadly, Booker T Washington died in 1915, before Marcus Garvey could make it to America. In 1916, Garvey boarded a ship bound for the United States, where—as a dramatic and invigorating public speaker—he intended to go on a lecture tour. He ended up settling in New York City, in April of 1918, Garvey founded the “Negro World” newspaper publication in Harlem, New York, about two years after Garvey arrived in the United States from his native Jamaica. Much of the funding came from the famous African American entrepreneur and philanthropist Madam C.J. Walker. Even though the newspaper struggled financially, Garvey remained resolute in his decision not to place skin-lightening and other beauty products that he believed was an affront to the Black race. Instead, he called on Blacks to spend more time and money clearing out the kink in their mind first. In 1919, he founded The Black Star Line steam ship company through his United Negro Improvement Association. No venture reflected Garvey’s revolutionary dream of equality better than the Black Star Line, a mighty fleet of ships that would bring economic power to blacks around the world and transport many of them back to a proud and independent African nation.

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” - “THE NATIONAL NEGRO BUSINESS LEAGUE”

Hello Dear Readers, Welcome Back To “OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE” with THE REAL GARRY ODELL BLANSON Today, We Will Pickup Where We Left Off With Our Visit in on Booker T Washington. As a leader, educator, philanthropist and formerly enslaved, Booker T. Washington advocated for racial uplift through industrial and domestic education. He was one of the most well known African American public figures of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Washington rose to prominence as the head of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute where he secured funding from white philanthropists including Andrew Carnegie and later Julius Rosenwald. His thrust into public notoriety occurred after he delivered “The Atlanta Compromise Speech” in 1895. In 1901, Booker T Washington formally incorporated The National Negro Business League In New York. It grew rapidly with 320 chapters in 1905 and more than 600 chapters in 34 states in 1915. Booker T. Washington believed that solutions to the problem of racial discrimination were primarily economic, and that African American entrepreneurship was vital. Thus, he founded the league to further the economic development of the African American businesses in order to achieve social equality in the American society.  Members in the league included small business owners, farmers, doctors, lawyers, craftsmen, and other professionals. The National Negro Business League ended up paving the way for W.E.B. Dubois and The Niagara Movement, Marcus Garvey and Universal Negro Improvement Association, and O.W. Gurley and BLACK WALL$TREET.[ Please Stay Posted, because Our Next Visit Will be with Marcus Mosiah Garvey ]

“OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE”

Maya Angelou once said, “You Can’t Really Know Where You Are Going,Until You Know Where You Have Been.” Therefore,We am going to go back and Visit some of the People and Events of “OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE!”[ Please Visit My Meta-Facebook Page To View and Read an extended version of my Bio : http://garryblanson@facebook.com, copy and paste this link ]. Additionally, In Future Articles, We are going to explore the lives of several Black People who haven’t been widely publicised as well as some who have. Trust me, the information I have to share with you is pretty interesting ( to say the least )! As a matter of fact, there is no doubt in my mind that the information that I have to share with you will Inspire and Aspire you to want to learn more about “ Our Rich Black Heritage!!" Ok, the first person on our journey of “Our Rich Black Heritage” is Booker T Washington[ if you really want to learn about his life, I advise you to read his book,( Up From Slavery ), which is available for YOU to READ “FOR FREE” at your local public library ]. https://thegreatestbooks.org/authors/5097 , copy and paste this link . While much is often said about Mr Washington’s accomplishments at The Tuskegee School, very little is mentioned about His Business Organisation that he founded in 1900-1901. The name of Booker T Washington’s business was,” The National Negro Business League. It has been reported that there were over 600 Individual Chapters of The National Negro Business League. https://npg.si.edu/object/npg_NPG.2008.20 , copy and paste this link .One of the most notable members was, Madam C.J. Walker. It is said that Madam C.J. Walker gave an impromptu speech on August 23, 1912 at The 13th Annual Convention of The National Negro Business League( google : Madam C.J. Walker speaking while female ) , and then scroll down and tap or click on where it says, Business-Walker < TO BE CONTINUED IN MY NEXT ARTICLE >.

“GET CONTROL OF YOURSELF “

"Thee Who Is Not Able To Control One’s Self Will Be Controlled By Someone Else” ~ Garry O Blanson Hello Everyone, The Main Focus For This Article Is “SELF-CONTROL.” Ok, Let’s Begin By Taking A Look At A Popular Definition For "SELF-CONTROL"{ Self-Control - the ability to control one’s emotions and feelings or the expression of them [ especially in difficult situations ]. So, Based On This Definition, I Feel That Most People Would Agree That “AT TIMES” It’s Not So Easy To Maintain “SELF-CONTROL” With Some People & Some Things.Also, I Believe That Like Learning,“ SELF-CONTROL Is A Life-Long Process. *EXERCISE : Try Practicing “SELF-CONTROL” On Someone or Something You Feel That You Makes You Lose Your “SELF-CONTROL.”