“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.