"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : THE FORMER BLACK-OWNED BARBEQUE ESTABLISHMENTS in MONROE, featuring HUEY "Lil Bob" NASH, "THE BLACK MAN FROM LOUISIANA WHO BROKE THE COLOR BARRIER AT THE TEXAS STATE FAIR IN 1964"

Oh boy, do I have a humdinger of a story to share with everyone this week! While many Black People in Monroe and the state of Louisiana know about Huey P. Newton being from Monroe, Louisiana, very few Black People in Louisiana have heard about "Huey Nash Sr." and his historical accomplishment at the 1964 Texas State Fair. For those who don't already know, Huey "Lil' Bob" Nash was born on March 21, 1935 in Mangham, Louisiana. Also, I would like to add that many descendants of the Nash Family have lived, and are currently living here in Monroe today. Well, our story takes us all the way back to the year 1964, the year when the name Huey Nash was "etched indelibly in history!" You see, it was in1964, at the Texas State Fair that Huey Nash broke the "Texas State Fair Color Barrier to become the First Black Food Vendor to be allowed to set up a food booth on the fairgrounds of the Texas State Fair!" By the way, before 1964, a period of more than 78 years, no other Black person had been granted permission to have a food concession stand at the Texas State Fair. Although it took Huey more than 2 attempts and five years are more of wading through red tape, he never gave out and he never gave up! Also, it was reported that Huey worked 2 or 3 jobs, in order to raise the money for the licenses and other fees. Furthermore, what's even more amazing is that he was able to achieve such a great feat and still feed & provide for his wife and their 4 children. Interesting enough, before he died on Tuesday September 20, 2011, from congestive heart failure, which was probably the results of poor ventilation in his barbecue smokehouse, a "Lil' Bob's Barbecue Restaurant" opened right here in Monroe at 1612 Garrett Road. In closing, here's a list of a few of the Former Black-Owned Barbeque Establishments that are a part of "Our Rich Black Heritage!" : 1. Lil' Bob's Barbecue Restaurant that was located at 1612 Garrett Road ; 2.H.H.Marbles Barbeque that was located at 1000 Breard Street ; 3.Hill's Barbeque that was located at 813 Texas Ave ; 4.Mr. T's Barbeque that was located at 3021 Renwick Street ; 5.Quick-Stop Barbeque that was located at 2400 Desiard Street ; 6.Murray's Barbeque that was located at 2710 Renwick Street ; 7. Willie's Barbecue & Catering that was located at 411 Desiard Street ; 8.Prezell's Smokehouse that was located at 1704 Powell Ave ; 9.Bo Jingles Drive Inn that was located at 2940 Renwick Street ; and 10.Bodacious Barbeque that was located on Louisville Avenue, just to name a few.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : THE FORMER BLACK-OWNED BARBERSHOPS in MONROE

Before I give my list of some of the former Black-Owned Barbershops that use to be in Monroe,Louisiana, I will share a short story about one of the neighborhood Barbers, who cut my hair when I was around 8 years old. By the way, I grew up on the Southside of Monroe, in the "Legendary Bryant's Edition Subdivision!" My family lived on Bethune Street, right by the Zoo, only a few blocks away from where Sammy White, his parents, and his siblings lived. Well, getting back to the man who cut my hair a few times when I was a kid. I never knew his full name, or his first name, but "Mr. W T" is what everyone in my neighborhood called him. I still remember the first time my mother told me to go and have Mr. W T cut my hair. Since Mr. W T stayed on Beverly Street, within walking distance from my house, I was able to walk to his house by myself. My biggest concern about having Mr. W T cut my hair is that the kids at school had already told me about how Mr. W T would accidentally "cut a plug" in your hair. You see, during the week Mr. W T worked a full-time job, therefore, he would cut hair on Saturday mornings. Also, Mr. W T "loved watching wrestling," while he was cutting someone's hair, and would sometimes get distracted, which caused him to cut a plug in your head! Most times, the boy wouldn't even discover what had be done to him, until after he had left Mr. W T's house. After the boy showed up at school, everyone would say that he had a "W T SPECIAL!" Fortunately for me, I never received his special haircut. Now, here's my list of former Black-Owned Barbershops! 1. The Ritz Barbershop that was located at 918 Desiard Street ; 2.Ford's Clip & Style that was located at 1908 Tichelli Road, which was owned by Mrs. Rozena Ford ; 3. Robinson & Perry Barbershop that was located at 1101 Desiard Street, with William Robinson listed as being Co-Owner ; 4.Robert & Dorothy's Barbershop that was located at 709 Desiard Street, which was owned by Robert and Dorothy Henry ; 5.Stamper's Barbershop that was located at 713 Desiard Street, which was owned by Bennerson Stamper ; 6.Napoleon's Barbershop that was located on Renwick Street ; 7.Nelson 's Barbershop & Beauty Salon that was located at 3009 Burg Jones Lane ; 8.Edward's Barbershop & Beauty Salon that was located at 3310 Renwick Street ; 9.His & Hers Unisex Hair Styling Shop that was located at 1425 Winnsboro Road, and 10.Handy's Barbershop that's still in business, and is located at 3404 Renwick, which was owned by Jesse Handy, just to name a few!

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : "THE FORMER BLACK-OWNED BEAUTY SHOPS in MONROE"

Once upon a time, in the Louisiana Territory, back when it was under Spanish rule.There was actually a Law that made "CREOLE WOMEN" & "FREE WOMEN of COLOR" tone down the beauty of their hair! The law was called the "TIGNON LAW," and it required just about all Colored looking women in Louisiana to wear a type of head covering known as "A TIGNON." Although the law was aimed mainly at Free Women of Color, it was enforced against Creole Women, Mulatto Women, and even the darker Colored female slaves as well. Interestingly enough, the law was meant not only to control the appearance of Colored Women, but also to identify the Colored Women as belonging to the "SLAVE CLASS" as well as to help stop the spread of "PLACAGE and MISCEGENATION." You see, many White women were jealous of how their husbands and other White Men got "ALL GOOFY-EYED" when they saw Colored Women, and how they wore their beautiful hair! By the way, the Tignon Law was enacted by Spanish Governor, Esteban Rodriguez Miro'. Yes, he was the same Governor who commissioned a French officer named Don Juan Filhiol to establish a fort in Ouachita Parish, back in 1791.The fort was built in the Ouachita River Valley, a part of Northeast Louisiana. Originally, the fort was named "Fort Miro," in honor of Governor Miro'. However, in 1820, the fort was renamed MONROE, after a "STEAMBOAT named JAMES MONROE," after the boat arrived in Ouachita Parish. Once the United States took ownership of Louisiana through the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, the Tignon Laws were no longer enforced, but placage and miscegenation still existed, just as it still exists in Louisiana today. Well, enough about all that... let's reminisce about some of the Forgotten Black-Owned Beauty Shops and their owners that lived in Monroe, Louisiana. Without further a due, here's a short list of some of the former Black-Owned Beauty Establishments that are a part of "OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE!" : 1.La Henri-Anna Beauty Shop & School, which was owned by Mrs. Henri-Anna Carroll that was located at 1001 Washington Street in Monroe ; 2.Price's Beauty Shop, which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and was owned by Mrs. Annie Mae Ford Price that was located at 2101 Grammont Street in Monroe ; 3. Estelle's Beauty Shop, which was owned by Estelle Dunn that was located around the 2900 block of Jackson Street in Monroe ; 4. Lovely Brown Beauty Shop that was located at 903 Desiard Street in Monroe ; 5.Marjorie's Beauty Salon that was located at 1115 Breard Street in Monroe ; 6. Mercy's Beauty Shop that was located at 1103 Desiard Street in Monroe ; 7. Ruth's Beauty Shop that was located at 1317 Desiard Street ; 8. Katie's Beauty Shop that was located at 126 Powell's Alley ; and 9. Jenkin's Beauty Shop, which was owned by Rosa Jenkins that was located on Dick Taylor Street in Monroe, just to name a few.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : THE FORGOTTEN BLACK-OWNED SERVICE STATIONS in MONROE

"A People without  knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without Roots" -Marcus Mosiah Garvey Recently, I discovered that when the "MONROE CIVIC CENTER" was built, several Streets like "VICKSBURG STREET" disappeared into the oblivion! Interestingly, Vicksburg Street was located where the Monroe Civic Center now sits. Also, most Black People in Monroe, Louisiana don't remember that Vicksburg Street was located near a Negro Church named Zion Travelers Baptist Church. Furthermore, it was said that Monroe Colored High School Principal Madison J. Foster traveled Vicksburg Street weekly on his way to Zion Travelers Baptist Church, where he was a member as well as to get to Monroe Colored High School. The reason I mentioned Vicksburg Street was to show everyone how streets, people, and other places that use to be here in Monroe...sadly, now have long been forgotten! Case in point, not long after the Monroe Civic Center was built in 1965, several Black-Owned Service Stations began springing up around Monroe. By 1972, there were "OVER 12 BLACK-OWNED SERVICE STATIONS" in the City of Monroe. Why, even Roosevelt Rankins, the former Dean of Students at Neville High School owned a Gulf Service Station that was located at 2501 Renwick Street. Furthermore, there were many other prominent Black Citizens who owned Service Stations in Monroe. For instance, there was Pendleton's Texaco Service Station, owned by Mr. Joseph Pendleton that was located at 1111 Desiard Street ; Willie T's Texaco Service Station that was located at 1205 Powell Ave, owned by Mr. Willie T ; William Conley's Texaco Service Station that was located at 1812 Desiard Street, owned by Mr. William Conley ; Winter's & Nelson's Service Station that was located in Lincoln Park, on Burg Jones Lane, owned by Elijah Nelson & Mac Winters, and ran by Mrs. Annie Burrell ; Abram's Billups Service Station that was located on Burg Jones Lane, owned by Mr. Abram, Burton's Service Station that was located at 825 Atkinson Street, owned by Martille Burton ; and Dunn's Skelly Service Station that was located at 2000 Texas Avenue, owned by Mr. Columbus Dunn, just to name a few! In closing, I would like to admonish the Black Citizens in Monroe to be fervent in their efforts to teach our Black Children about the history and accomplishments of our local Black Pioneers, for they were the ones who helped paved the way for Black People living in Monroe today!

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : "THE BLACK BI-CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE"

"Black Americans have made major strides in spite of oppression and injustice. This Bi-Centennial Booklet is a tribute to Black and White Americans" - Bernie Dayton Robinson Before he died, "Mr. B.D. Robinson" assembled A Black Bi-Centennial Committee to put together A Booklet On the History of Blacks in Ouachita Parish & Monroe, Louisiana. The Booklet is Called,"Contributors of Ouachita Parish, A History of Blacks To Commemorate the Bi-Centennial of the United States of America." A copy of the Booklet is available as a Reference Book, "meaning that the book cannot be checked out or leave the library," in the Genealogy Department, at the Main Branch of The Ouachita Parish Library on Stubb's Avenue, in Monroe. Somehow, I'm hoping that his daughter, "Lasandre Robinson Starks," and others will work together and get copies of this Bi-Centennial Booklet into the hands of "Black Churches, Black Fraternities & Black Sororities, and other Black Civic Organizations," here in Monroe.You see, it took the Bi-Centennial Committee hours and hours to put this Booklet together, and I really believe that Mr. B.D. Robinson wanted more people in Monroe & Ouachita Parish to learn & know about the Black People who helped paved the way for the Black People living in Monroe, Louisiana today! Also, I feel that in times like these, our Black Children in Monroe need to know more about "OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE!" Well, the main people who worked along with Mr. B.D. Robinson on the Bi-Centennial Committee included, Rosa Wilbert, Helen Smith, Joe Ella Burton, Ollie H. Burns, Cleventine S. Peevy, Mrs. Willie Bell Taylor, Mrs. Louise Breaux, Agnes W. Brass, and Rebecca Bose. Some of the Black Families mentioned in the Bi-Centennial Booklet included, The Maryland Brooks Family who had one of the first meat & butcher stores in Monroe ; The Medlock Family who owned and operated The Acme Funeral Home, which was bought and merged with Miller Funeral Home in Monroe, Louisiana, in the 1970s ; The Morris Henry Carroll Family who owned several Businesses and Real-estate properties, in Monroe ; The Richard Barrington Family who founded the Wisner School, one of the first Schools for Colored Children in Monroe ; The Issac Burnett Family who owned and operated a local grocery store at 2800 Jackson Street, for over 30 years ; The Herman Henry Marbles Family who owned and operated Marbles Barbeque Stand & Restaurant at 1000 Breard Street in Monroe ; The Raymond O. Pierce Family who owned The Pierce Drugstore, his daughter was Mrs. Frances Pierce Reddix, and his other daughter, Mrs. Arnetta Pierce W. Amin was the first Black female Pharmacist in Monroe ; and his granddaughter is Dr. Ollibeth Reddix, just to name a few. By the way, some of the Black Pioneers mentioned in the Bi-Centennial Booklet included persons such as, Dr. Arthur Hebert Johnson, one of the first and best Black doctors in Monroe ; Businessman and Black leader, Berg Jones, for which "Burg Jones Lane Elementary School" is named for ; Charlie Ballard Sr. who was one of the first Black persons to own land at "Bristle Ridge" in Monroe, an area now known as "Pine Bayou." ; A Wealthy Black Tailor by the name of Ibra January, better known as,"January The Tailor!" ; Joseph Pendleton who owned and operated Pendleton's Texaco Service Station that was located at 1111 Desiard Street in Monroe ; and Columbus Dunn who owned and operated Dunn's Skelly Service Station as well as Dunn's Sandwich Shop that was located at 2000 Texas Avenue in Monroe. Additionally, names of local football players are in the booklet as well as other pertinent information regarding the History of the Black People of Ouachita Parish & Monroe. In closing, it is my sincerest hope that more Black People in Monroe, Louisiana would make sure that our Black Children learn & know more about "OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE," here in Ouachita Parish & Monroe, Louisiana!

"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.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : LELAND UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE - Part One of a Two part series

oday, when most people talk about Historical Black Colleges & Universities in Louisiana, they are quick to mention Grambling & Southern. Well, there was a Black University that came before both of those universities. It was known as "LELAND UNIVERSITY," however, the name was changed to "LELAND COLLEGE" when a new school was built in Baker, Louisiana. Well, Leland University was founded in New Orleans by Holbrook Chamberlain, a Brooklyn, New York Merchant and Philanthropist in partnership with the American Baptist Home Mission Society. Mr. Chamberlain named the college for his father-in-law, John Leland, who was a Baptist minister and abolitionist. The school's main purpose was to prepare Colored People for the ministry, to train Colored teachers for Colored classrooms, and help prepare Colored students for adult life in the South. After the University buildings were severely damaged following a hurricane that struck New Orleans in 1915, University officials thought about relocating the College to Alexandria, Louisiana, but they encountered "strong opposition" from the White Citizens of Alexandria. Therefore, they decided it was best to move the College to Baker, Louisiana. By the way, I'm reminded of an interesting love story involving two Black college students who both graduated from Leland College. The story took place sometime during the 1940s. Can you all picture a single young lady traveling alone, then she meets a nice young fellow, and they discover that they are headed to the same place? Well, that is exactly what happened. As the story goes, Christopher Van Rodgers Sr., a handsome young Black college student from from Monroe, Louisiana was returning to Leland for his Sophomore year of college. Somewhere along the train route, he met a charming young Black female from Shreveport, Louisiana, by the name of Johnnie Glover, who was also attending Leland College. I'm telling you all, not only did they become the best of friends, but their relationship blossomed so much that on August 12, 1950, the couple were united in Holy Matrimony. Now who would of thought that a chance encounter aboard a train, on the way back to Leland College would lead to a marriage that would produce 4 adorable children, and would last for more than 40 years!!! Also, the icing on the cake was when the young couple decided to make Monroe their home. Of course, both of them were popular teachers in the Monroe City School System, before they retired from teaching. Yes, it has certainly been my pleasure telling you all about this love story, because Rev. Christopher Van Rodgers Sr. was my pastor at Zion Travelers Baptist Church in Monroe... and Mrs. Johnnie Rodgers, she was our "First Lady!"

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : LILLER MADDOX MARBLES

"I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept" - Angela Davis It was a grand ole affair, the President of Grambling University and the Carroll High School Choir were there. The members of the advisory committee included, Mrs. Henrietta Carroll, Morris Henry Carroll, Rev. P.C. Keal, B.D. Robinson , Mrs. R.E. Bose , and H.H. Marbles. Well, in case you all were wondering, the event that I am speaking of is the Dedication Program for the Liller Maddox Marbles Recreation Center on Renwick Street in Monroe Louisiana that was held on Sunday May 20, 1962. Today, approximately 62 years later, The Liller Maddox Marbles Recreation Center is still in existence, and being used in different capacities to help carryout various programs, events, and recreational activities within the Black Community. Additionally, the recreational center just happens to be named for This Week's Black Pioneer, Mrs. Liller Maddox Marbles. She was born in Mer Rouge, Louisiana, Morehouse Parish, on November 24, 1891. Sometime before 1901, her family made the move to Monroe,Louisiana. As far as her early schooling goes, Liller attended the Wisner School for Colored children. Also, in 1903, she joined the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Monroe. After meeting the love of her life, Herman Henry Marbles, the couple decided to get married on April 30, 1908. In 1927, during the Great Flood in Monroe and West Monroe, Liller jumped in and helped take care of all of the displaced people that were housed in the old Masonic building on Washington Street in Monroe. In addition to her church work, her obligations as a wife, and taking care of her 3 children, Liller was a faithful member of The Morning Star Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star Organization. Although I never got the opportunity to meet Liller Maddox Marbles, I think that she was made in the mold of Angela Davis and Fannie Lou Hammer. You see, Liller was sick and tired of being sick and tired, tired of accepting the things that she couldn't change, and she was all about changing the things she couldn't accept!!! Sadly in 1943, Liller Maddox Marbles, the mother of three and loving wife of the man of her life, went home to be with the Lord.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE : ORETHA D. ROBINSON & PATRICK H. ROBINSON "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" – George Santayana It appears that along with the resurgence of Jim Crow Laws in Louisiana, certain groups around Louisiana are returning to the practice of using "THE TOKEN NEGRO" to mislead Black People into believing that Racism is decreasing. You see, most younger Black People aren't aware that "in the late 1960s and early 1970s," there were cartoons & caricatures that depicted the Negroes who were chosen to serve in "TOKEN ROLES" where they were only given those positions to create a sense of inclusion. In other words some Black People were given high ranking positions,"similar to what is happening today," to make it appear that racism is no longer a problem in the workplace. Yes, this trend can be seen all over the United States, and especially in Louisiana. It's like more and more of our Black elected officials and Black leaders in Louisiana are more than happy to accept being used as "A GOOD OLE TOKEN NEGRO," especially when there's money and power involved! Well, I can surely see why George Santayana would say what he said about people being condemned to repeat the past. With that said, let's get on with this week's Black Pioneers. It's extremely puzzling to me that there is hardly any online information about this week's two Black Pioneers, Oretha D. Robinson & her husband Patrick H. Robinson. Well, you would think that considering their lifetime civic involvement and social status within the Black Communities of Monroe, Louisiana, there would be way more information about them online, especially since they spent most of their adult lives helping make sure that the needs of the Black Citizens of Monroe, Louisiana were being met. Oretha D. Robinson was born on October 6, 1931, to Maude Gipson and Robert Douglas. She died earlier this year on January 20, 2024, while her husband, Patrick H. Robinson was born on June 27, 1924, and died on April 25, 1994. Not only were both of them astute Educators, but both were active in the Black Community as well. In 2017, it was fitting that the library at Robinson Elementary School in Monroe, Louisiana was renamed to honor the legacy of Patrick H. Robinson. In closing, I must say that I am totally flabbergasted that We As "Black Citizens of Monroe, Louisiana" aren't recording and passing down more information about the achievements & accomplishments of our leading citizens like Oretha D. Robinson and Patrick H. Robinson "to the current generations of Black People living in Monroe!" Additionally, I feel that Black People in Monroe must continue working to "BE BETTER," in order that We and our Black Children might do better and have better!

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" – George Santayana It appears that along with the resurgence of Jim Crow Laws in Louisiana, certain groups around Louisiana are returning to the practice of using "THE TOKEN NEGRO" to mislead Black People into believing that Racism is decreasing. You see, most younger Black People aren't aware that "in the late 1960s and early 1970s," there were cartoons & caricatures that depicted the Negroes who were chosen to serve in "TOKEN ROLES" where they were only given those positions to create a sense of inclusion. In other words some Black People were given high ranking positions,"similar to what is happening today," to make it appear that racism is no longer a problem in the workplace. Yes, this trend can be seen all over the United States, and especially in Louisiana. It's like more and more of our Black elected officials and Bla"ck leaders in Louisiana are more than happy to accept being used as "A GOOD OLE TOKEN NEGRO," especially when there's money and power involved! Well, I can surely see why George Santayana would say what he said about people being condemned to repeat the past. With that said, let's get on with this week's Black Pioneers. It's extremely puzzling to me that there is hardly any online information about this week's two Black Pioneers, Oretha D. Robinson & her husband Patrick H. Robinson. Well, you would think that considering their lifetime civic involvement and social status within the Black Communities of Monroe, Louisiana, there would be way more information about them online, especially since they spent most of their adult lives helping make sure that the needs of the Black Citizens of Monroe, Louisiana were being met. Oretha D. Robinson was born on October 6, 1931, to Maude Gipson and Robert Douglas. She died earlier this year on January 20, 2024, while her husband, Patrick H. Robinson was born on June 27, 1924, and died on April 25, 1994. Not only were both of them astute Educators, but both were active in the Black Community as well. In 2017, it was fitting that the library at Robinson Elementary School in Monroe, Louisiana was renamed to honor the legacy of Patrick H. Robinson. In closing, I must say that I am totally flabbergasted that We As "Black Citizens of Monroe, Louisiana" aren't recording and passing down more information about the achievements & accomplishments of our leading citizens like Oretha D. Robinson and Patrick H. Robinson "to the current generations of Black People living in Monroe!" Additionally, I feel that Black People in Monroe must continue working to "BE BETTER," in order that We and our Black Children might do better and have better!

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE"" : DR. FELTON GRANDISON CLARK

"Underneath the different colors of our skin, People are far more alike than they are different" -Lisa Nichols Wouldn't It Be Nice If Race Didn't Matter? This question reminds me of a forgotten Louisiana court case that was filed in 1982, by a lady who had identified herself as being "A MARRIED WHITE FEMALE," but her birth certificate listed her as being "A BLACK FEMALE!" The lady's name is Susie Guillory Phipps of Sulphur, Louisiana. Back in 1982, after the case drew national attention, the Louisiana Congress, and then Governor David C. Treen decided to take a hard look at "the age old Louisiana Statute" that used a mathematical formula, similar to "THE ONE-DROP RULE," also known as "ONE DROP OF BLACK BLOOD RULE," that many of the southern states had used to determine if a person was deemed as being "Legally Black." You see, Mrs. Phipps birth certificate listed her as being the great, great, great,great grand-daughter of a "COLORED FEMALE SLAVE," and a French planter. You see, according to the "segregated laws" that were in place, during the time she was born, if the baby's mother was documented as being COLORED, then the baby was listed and considered COLORED too! Therefore, officials for the State of Louisiana refused to change Mrs. Phipps Race on her birth certificate, which led to her having to pay thousands of dollars to try and have her "RACE" Changed on her birth certificate! In the end, Governor David C. Treen and the State of Louisiana repealed the long-term Louisiana Statute, in 1983. Now, because of the repeal of that law, people in Louisiana are allowed to change their birth records by providing "a preponderance of evidence" to prove the record was wrong. Ok, let's get to this week's Black Pioneer. Felton Grandison Clark was born on October 13, 1903, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Joseph S. Clark and Octavia Head Clark. When it came time for Felton to attend college, there was no doubt that he would be attending Southern University! After graduating from Southern, Felton completed his undergraduate work at Beloit College. In 1922, he earned his bachelor's degree from Beloit, and then went on to earn his Master's degree & his PhD from Columbia University. Well, in 1938, Felton decided to take on the daunting task of following in his father's footsteps, and became the next President of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the position that his father had held for more than 20 years! From 1938, up until 1969, Felton was President of Southern University. During his tenure, enrollment of students at Southern increased from about 1,500 to over 11,000. Many people have said that the enrollment would have been significantly larger had it not been for the incidents that took place during the Civil Rights Protests of the 1960s, especially the demonstration that took place at the doorsteps of the Louisiana State Capitol. In 1960, Felton and other school officials ended up giving in to pressure from Governor Earl Long," and expelled 18 of the Southern University students who had participated in the protests." On top of everything else, in 1962,"they actually had to shutdown Southern University for a short period of time," because students at Southern University held a large demonstration on the campus of Southern University. The students were determined to exercise their right to protest! So, about a year after retiring as President of Southern University, Dr. Felton Grandison Clark died on July 5, 1970. When it came time to bury him, there was no doubt that he would be buried next to his mother and father on the campus of Southern University!!! In 1975, officials at Southern University honored him by naming a newly built building in his honor, the F.G.Clark Center. Additionally, a dormitory on the Southern University campus named Felton Grandison Clark Hall, informally called Grandison Hall, is named in his honor.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : ALICE MARIE THOMPSON

"Don’t be afraid of being an agitator, because every housewife knows the value of an agitator ; an agitator is the instrument in the washing machine which bangs the clothes around and gets rid of all the dirt" - Thurgood Marshall Recently, while I was researching, I came across an article about an event that probably helped influence Black Leaders in Monroe, Louisiana to agree to turn Martin Luther King Jr. around at the Monroe Airport, the time he came to speak in Monroe.The article was about an event known as "THE PLAQUEMINE RIOT." Not only did this shocking and horrific incident coinside with the "HISTORIC MARCH ON WASHINGTON," but it actually aired nationally on the evening news with Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather, back in September of 1963, "ONLY DAYS AFTER THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON!" Well Reportedly, some of the Negro leaders in Plaquemine had requested James Farmer, the founder of "The Congress of Racial Equality," to come and help organize "A VOTING REGISTRATION DRIVE." You see, there had recently been a 'VOTER PURGE" in Plaquemine, causing many of the Negroes to be stripped of their "VOTING PRIVILEGES." Also, there was a strong concern that WHITE officials were "GERRYMANDERING" Black precincts out of city elections. At first, James Farmer had planned to make a short trip to Plaquemine, and then travel on to Washington D.C. for the March On Washington. However, the police in Plaquemine had other plans for him! The police decided to arrest him and several other Negroes, and hold them at a jail in Donaldsoville, Louisiana, until the March was over. Once he was released, seeing that he had already missed attending the March On Washington, James Farmer decided to lead another March in Plaquemine. Long story short, the police and other White Citizens in Plaquemine chased James Farmer and the Marchers to the Plymouth Rock Baptist Church, tear-gased the people in the church, and stormed the church on horses, armed with guns and cattle prods. All of a sudden, in the midst of the chaos and mayhem, James Farmer escaped out the back of the church to "The Good Citizen Funeral Home," located next to the church! Wow, just when it looked like they were going to have to turn James Farmer over to the police, the Negro lady who owned the funeral home came up with one hell of a plan! She decided to send out two hearse cars at the same time, but they would go in two different directions. So after she handed James Farmer "a loaded 45 caliber pistol," they had him get into a coffin, loaded him into one of the hearse cars, and sent out both hearses at the same time! The police didn't even realize that James Farmer was in one of the hearses. The driver drove him to New Orleans, Louisiana where he held a press conference about it the next day. Ok, let's fast-forward to August 2024, as we prepare for the November Elections. Despite the passing of "More Than 60 Years," the very same 2 main concerns that were at the center of The Plaquemine Riot,"Removing Black Voters from the Voting Rolls and Gerrymandering" are still with us today, even after all those years!!! With that being said, I'll just switch the conversation to this week's Black Pioneer. Alice Marie Thompson was born on September 25, 1939 in Lake Providence , Louisiana. She graduated from Southern University in New Orleans with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences. While Alice was no Lady Godiva, she was a "FREEDOM RIDER!" Rarely do you hear about 3 Black biological sisters joining 2 separate Black Organizations at the same time However, that is exactly what the Thompson sisters, Alice, Jean, and Shirley did in the early 1960s when they all joined the New Orleans Chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality and the Youth Council of the New Orleans Branch of the NAACP. As I mentioned earlier, Alice was A Freedom Rider with the C.O.R.E. Organization. The Freedom Riders main task was to test the passage of the Interstate Commerce Commission’s ruling outlawing segregation on buses, terminals, restrooms, restaurants. By the way, here are 3 of the more notable Freedom Rides that Alice took part in : The first one that occurred on November 1, 1961, at the New Orleans Trailways Bus Terminal, located on Tulane Avenue, the one that took place on November 14, 1961, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and the one where Alice and other CORE members were physically beaten, in McComb, Mississippi on November 29, 1961. After 30 years or more of blazing a trail for future generations of Black People in America, Alice Marie Thompson died on August 24, 2015. In closing, I truly wish that teachers at the schools in our Black Communities were allowed to fully discuss the "Negro Freedom Rides and the Freedom Riders" with our Black Children. You see, I feel that they would better understand what The Civil Rights Movement was all about, and gain a greater appreciation for "OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE!"

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : JOHN J. NEIMORE

"The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why" -Mark Twain On July 4, 1917, "THE VOICE" newspaper, the first newspaper that represented the "New Negro Movement" in America, and was edited by Hubert H. Harrison— was officially launched at a rally at the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Harlem, located in upper Manhattan, New York. The event was actually a "Negro Rally" that was called by Harrison’s Liberty League, in response to attacks on Negroes by White Supremacists, in the "East St. Louis Massacre" that occurred in 1917. The Liberty League was the first organization of the New Negro Movement, which Marcus Garvey and many other Negro activists were members. You see, in the early 1900s, there were "Over 275" Negro Newspapers being published & circulated throughout thousands of cities within the United States, serving as a voice for the American Negro. Sadly, today in America, millions of Black adults & Black youth know little to nothing about those Old Negro Newspapers! Here is a partial list of the leading Negro Newspapers from the early 1900s : The Colored American( 1893 - 1904 ); The Negro World, published by Marcus Garvey(early 1900s) ; The Monroe Broadcast, Monroe, Louisiana ( 1932 ) ; The Pittsburgh Courier( 1911 - 2002 ) ; The Atlanta Daily World (1931-2003); The Chicago Defender (1910-1979 ) ; and The Philadelphia Tribune (1912-2001). Today, in Monroe, Louisiana, the two local BLACK newspapers are "The Monroe Free Press" and "The Monroe Dispatch." For many people, without these two Black Owned Newspapers, they wouldn't know as much about what goes on within Our Black Communities in Monroe. Without a doubt, is my sincerest hope that this article will stimulate more Black People to learn more about the Old Negro Newspapers that helped paved the way for the Black Newspapers of today! Ok, let's get on to this week's Black Pioneer. John J. Neimore was born on February 23, 1862, in Washington County, Texas. Even at the tender age of 17, John knew that he was born to be a Newspaper Man.Therefore, in 1879, he decided to move from Texas to California to start a newspaper. Although John was a tenderfoot and wet behind the ears, he was determined to achieve his goal of becoming a Newspaper Man. He named his first Newspaper,"The Owl," and he used the newspaper to help newly arrived Colored People adapt to living in Los Angeles, California. Even though his first Newspaper only ran for brief while, the knowledge, experience, and the contacts he obtained from owning & running a newspaper were priceless! For the rest of his life John worked as a Newspaper Man. Shortly after he shutdown operations of The Owl Newspaper, he founded another Newspaper called "The Weekly Observer." Later, he started a Newspaper called "The Advocate," and after that a Newspaper called "The Eagle," which was later changed to "The California Eagle." In addition to running the newspapers, he also served as President of a publishing and investment company. Around 1910, John J. Neimore's health began to fail him, and he finally succumbed to death on March 9, 1912. In closing, it has been said that one of the greatest achievements that one can do in life is create or start something that outlives their own life. John J. Neimore's newspaper that he started,"The California Eagle," ran all the way up until January 7, 1964," OVER HALF-A-CENTURY after his death!"

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : CLEVE MORMON

Someone asked a question,"Why is Black Studentloan Debt So High?" When we look at the Studentloan Default numbers for Black students, it's enough to make you want to cry! Well, one online article said that it could be due to the fact that Black People are more likely than other races to enroll in "FOR-PROFIT" colleges & universities, where tuition prices are higher than at public ones. While a different online article stated that it could be because most Black families have fewer financial resources on hand to pay for college expenses.Never-the-less, it's still quite a disturbing amount to say the least.By the way, out of curiosity, I went and looked up the total student loan debt in the United States. It stated that as of March 2024, the total student loan debt in the United States was around "$1.75 TRILLION DOLLARS!" Additionally, it said that anywhere from 37% - 41% of Black American College Students are currently carrying studentloan debt. Furthermore, an online article stated that due to fees and higher interest rates put on Black students, nearly 50% of Black college graduates owe substantially more on their studentloans, only 4 years after graduating from college. Based on those figures, some Black college students and college graduates could possibly have "Almost Grown Children" in college by the time they pay off their current studentloan debt! Now, let's get to this week's Black Pioneer. Cleve Mormon was born in Coldwater, Mississippi. He was the great uncle of a man by the name of Clifton L. Taulbert. I learned about Cleve Mormon from a book written by Clifton L. Taulbert titled,"Once Upon A Time When We Were Colored." It seems that after Cleve was grown, he moved to the town of Glenn Allan, Mississippi, in the late 1940s, early 1950s. Once there, he took an interest in the Ice Business. Therefore, around town, many of the Black People called him," The Iceman." Also, Cleve was the only Negro Ice Merchant in Glenn Allan. Interesting enough, his great nephew, Clifton L. Taulbert wrote another book about his beloved Uncle Cleve.The name of the book is,"Who Owns The Ice House." The book details eight important life lessons for aspiring Entrepreneurs. Personally, I feel that our Black Youth need to hear more information about these old Black Business Pioneers. In closing, A Black female Judge in Shreveport, Louisiana once said to me," Everybody ain't cut out for business." Well. my response to her was,"Everybody ain't cut out for college neither, but that hasn't stopped them from going out getting studentloans and getting into debt to attend college!"

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : DAISY E.A. LAMPKIN

What system replaced the "PEONAGE SYSTEM" in America? For those who aren't familiar with the what the Peonage System was, it was a system where former slaves were forced to pay off a debt through physical labor. Soon after the American Civil War, about the time when America went from using "Slave Labor" to "Share-cropping & Tenant Farming," the Peonage System began spreading throughout the southern states, and some of the north. Also, this outrageous system was referred to by most people as a form debt slavery or debt servitude, because the former slaves were prohibited from moving on to another town, city, or state, until the debt was completely paid off! Ok, let's think about jobs in America and why Black People work jobs. Despite the myth that they work jobs for a living, most Black People work jobs to pay off their debts, which are numerous! Oh boy, how I wish that I had more time to discuss how "CERTAIN PEOPLE" in America have established "SEVERAL OVERT & COVERT SYSTEMS" to not only get Black People into bad debt, but to get their Black Children into bad debt as well. By the way, according to an online article,"CREDIT CARD DEBT" for Black households has risen drastically within the last two to three years. Therefore, unbeknownst to most Black People in America, instead of working to create better lives for themselves and their children, they are mainly working to "PAY OFF THEIR DEBTS!" Well, on to this week's Black Pioneer. Daisy E.A. Lampkin was born on August 9, 1883, in Reading, Pennsylvania. Of interesting note, not only was Daisy "BORN FREE in AMERICA," but so were her parents and her mother 's parents! Instead of going to college after high school, Daisy chose to remain in Reading, Pennsylvania and help her parents.However, in 1909, she decided to move to Pittsburgh. In 1912, she married a Colored man by the name of William Lampkin, who owned & operated his own restaurant in a suburb of Pittsburgh. Around this time, the discussion of "WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE" was being talked about all around Pittsburgh.Being that Daisy was a woman, it naturally struck a nerve with her. Some people said that this was when she first found her calling as a Female Activist, Women Suffrage Organizer, Civil Rights Activist, and National Field Secretary for the NAACP. In an article I found online, a Negro professor at Virginia Union University, who was a leading spokesman for the equality for the American Negro, by the name of Gordon B. Hancock said, "Negroes in America don't know how indebted they are to Daisy E.A. Lampkin for what she had done and sacrificed for the Negro Cause!" In October 1964, Daisy E.A. Lampkin suffered a severe stroke, which she was unable to recover from. She died on March the 9, 1965, only a day or so before March 11, 1965, when I, Garry O'Dell Blanson, entered this world.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" HENDERSON H. DUNN

While I was laying down, it was brought to my remembrance that there was a book "Published in 1930" by the Douglas Loan Company Inc. of Baton Rouge, Louisiana titled, "Who's Who in Colored Louisiana." By the way, I would like to mention that this book is the only place that I have been able to find a picture of "Dr. John Tildon Miller," one of the founders of the Miller-Roy Building in Monroe, Louisiana. The book was edited by A. E. Perkins, and several of the Colored People that were recognized from Monroe, Louisiana included the Honorable R.H.Burns, A.A. Lacey, and John R. Patterson, the owner of "Patterson’s Million Article Mercantile Store," which was the largest Colored Owned Store in Monroe at the time. Additionally, the book included pertinent information about The Colored Louisiana in Education, The Colored Louisiana in War, and facts about most of the Race Riots, Insurrections, and Massacres that took place in Louisiana before 1930.There was even a write-up about the president of Southern University, Joseph S Clark. Although this book is readily available online, I regret to inform you that it's still not in any of the libraries at the schools in our Black Communities! Oh Well, on to this week's Black Pioneer. Henderson H. Dunn was born in Thibodaux, Louisiana, on December 12, 1872. It was reported that Henderson received his early education at a school in Lafourche Parish, in Louisiana. The school was the first school for Colored People in Lafourche Parish, and was organized by his father, Enoch Dunn. After high school, Henderson enrolled at Straight University, which is now Dillard University, in New Orleans Louisiana, where he went on to receive 2 degrees. He received his B.A. in Education in 1900 and his Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1904. In addition to teaching, Henderson was once the pastor of Morris Brown C.C. in New Orleans and the pastor of the Central Congregational Church in New Orleans. He also held other interesting positions such as director and teacher at the Milne Boys Home in New Orleans, where he supervised competitive examinations that determined the appointment of qualified persons to teaching position in New Orleans Public School System, and his position as secretary of the Congregational Churches in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. While he was the secretary for the Congregation Churches Organization, he founded an organization known as the Colored Education Alliance, an organization dedicated to obtaining a expanded number of schools for Colored Communities. Finally, he was a tenured news writer for the Times-Picayune newspaper. He mainly wrote about the religious and educational news within Colored Communities. Some say that he was the first Colored person to write for the Times-Picayune newspaper! From 1911 up until his death in 1955, the Colored Citizens in New Orleans looked forward to hearing Henderson make his yearly address at the "Annual Thanksgiving meeting of the Louisiana Educational Alliance," where he would document the progress of the Colored People in the United States along religious, educational and economic lines. Please note that approximately 3 years after his death, the New Orleans Public School System dedicated & named an elementary school after Henderson H. Dunn.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : MARY "MAME" STEWART JOSENBERGER

"Oh Susanna, don't you cry for me ; for I come from Louisiana where the Louisiana Legislators and Government Politicians are unscrupulous as can be!" Well, I don't know about the rest of the people in Louisiana, but for me, it's pretty discouraging to find out that Governor Jeff Landry's "New Budget Proposal" includes such disturbing amounts of funding for prison systems and state police in Louisiana, while slashing funding for education and teacher's salaries as well as turning his nose up at medicaid recipients.Sadly, this reminds me of the story I heard about how the politicians got people to go along with the "Income Tax System" in America. According to the story, the politicians got the masses to go along with the new income tax proposal by telling them that the new income tax was only going to be levied on the "WEALTHIEST AMERICANS." However, people found our later that they were told and sold a half-truth! You see, the part about the "WEALTHIEST AMERICANS" being the only ones taxed was just for the first 2-3 years of the plan. Around years 3 & 4, the rest of the masses would also have to pay the new income taxes too! Hey, don't feel bad if you can't make the connection between the income tax story and Governor Jeff Landry 's budget proposal. Believe it or not, it took a few days for me to make the connection myself.Those Louisiana Legislators and Government Politicians are something-else, aren't they? Oh well, let's get to this week's Black Pioneer. Mary "Mame" Stewart Josenberger was born on August 3, 1868 to Frank and Mary Stewart, in Oswego, New York. Before moving to attend Fisk University in Tennessee, Mary attended the Owego Free Academy in New York. At Fisk University, one of her fellow classmates was W.E.B. Dubois. In 1888, Mary graduated from Fisk University, earning a BA degree in education. A few of her early teaching jobs included teaching at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, the State Norman School for Negroes in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and teaching at the Howard School in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Mary was also known as a shrewd business woman. After her husband, William R. Josenberger died in 1909, she took on the duties of running their family businesses consisting of a funeral home, an event/entertainment hall, a burial insurance company, and rental property in the Taborian Heights area of Little Rock, Arkansas. Also. Mary was involved in several community organizations. She was involved in the NAACP, the Colored Knights of Pythias, the National Association of Colored Women, and the Arkansas Association of Colored Women. Additionally, she served as president of the organization she co-founded in 1898, "The Phillis Wheatley Federated Club," for a whopping 56 years!!! After living over 90 years and achieving many great things, Mary "Mame" Stewart Josenberger died on September 29, 1964. In closing, I would like to say that Mary's life is a testament of what a determined Black woman can accomplish over a lifetime.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : NORMAN C. FRANCIS

On the heels of thousands of Black People in Monroe, Louisiana celebrating "JUNETEENTH DAY," a senior reporter for the Louisiana Illuminator by the name of Julie O'Donoghue, which is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization, published an article online detailing "SIX NEW IMPORTANT LOUISIANA LAWS" that will give Governor Jeff Landry "MORE POWER' THAN THE LAW SHOULD ALLOW!" The New Louisiana Laws are expected to be signed by Governor Jeff Landry within the next 3 weeks, and many say that this is the official end of government transparency in Baton Rouge! By the way, I'm not 100% sure, but it seems to me that Governor Jeff Landry wants to be known as Louisiana's "NEW KINGFISH!" Well, most people in Louisiana have forgotten about the "Old Kingfish, Huey P. Long." It was said that even after Huey went from being the Governor of Louisiana to being Senator, it still seemed like he was calling all the shots in Baton Rouge. Yes, I can definitely see a Huey P. Long pattern setting in. Especially when you examine some of the things that Governor Jeff Landry has done thus far. Without A doubt, you can't help but notice that he's been studying the "Huey P. Long Playbook!" Que sera sera, on to this week's Black Pioneer. Norman C. Francis was born on March 20, 1931 in Lafayette, Louisiana. As far as formal schooling goes, he attended Catholic schools in Lafayette. In 1948, Norman graduated from Saint Paul High School. After graduating, he found out that one of his teachers at Saint Paul had procured a work scholarship for him to attend Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana. One of the highlights of his senior year of college was when he was chosen as president of the entire student body! In 1952, the same year he graduated from Xavier University and earned his B.S. degree, he was able to enroll at Loyola University, making him the first Black person to attend this prestigious University! This time around, Norman decided he wanted to earn a law degree, so he applied and was accepted into the Loyola University Law School. Also in 1955 when Norman received his Law degree from Loyola, he was the first Black person to receive a Law degree from Loyola University. After one year of practicing law, Norman realize that law was not his calling. In 1957, he was approached by "The Sisters of The Blessed Sacrament," the religious order that ran Xavier University, an offered the post of "Dean of Men," which he gladly accepted...and the rest, as they say, is history! Additionally, Norman played an instrumental role in getting Xavier University to house the Civil Rights group of "Freedom Riders," back in 1961. As this article goes to publishing, Norman C. Francis is 93 years old!

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : LEONA TATE

We know today that there are flaws, so why can't we correct the flaws before we adopt the new policy?”- Louis Voiron Jr., Iberville Parish Schools Superintendent Although many Black People in Monroe, Louisiana have long forgotten about it, I still remember when the Monroe City School System raised the graduation credits requirement for high school seniors from 20 units, for the seniors who graduated in 1982, to "22 UNITS" for the seniors who "graduated in 1983." While some people would say that two additional credits shouldn't have made a big difference, the new requirement helped changed the course of many lives in Monroe! Sadly, a lot of students were not able to receive their diploma that year, and some even had to attend summer school, while others had to endure an additional year of high school, back in 1983. Plus, to add insult to injury, the reasons for the new requirement wasn't even explained to the students. It was just,"You're going to have to earn two extra credits and that's that!" Well now, fast forward to June 2024. Within the past two weeks, Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley and members of the state board of education have gotten the go ahead to do an over-haul of the rating and grading system for the schools in Louisiana. State Superintendent Cade Brumley has been pushing this agenda since 2022, even though school district leaders and several district school boards vehemently oppose the revamp! Although several district school superintendents asked Brumley to postpone the new changes, he refused to do so. To me, it's quite disturbing that students in Monroe have to keep going through such drastic changes, like we did back in 1983, all because some of the leaders over the Education System in Louisiana want to play games with their lives and their future!!! Anyways, on to this week's Black Pioneer. Leona Tate was born and raised in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana lower ninth Ward. Although most Black People in Louisiana have heard about Ruby Bridges integrating an ALL-WHITE school in New Orleans, few know that Leona Tate and two other Black girls helped integrate the McDonough 19 Elementary School in New Orleans, in the very same year as Ruby Bridges. They were known nationally as the "McDonough Three." Later on, Leona and the other two Black girls also helped desegregate another formerly ALL-WHITE school in New Orleans, which was known as T.J. Semmes. Interestingly enough, Leona Tate and her partners purchased the old McDonough 19 building in New Orleans, and since have reopened it as the "Tate, Etienne, and Precost Center!" The center's Gande Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held on May 4, 2022, at 5909 St Claude Ave, in New Orleans, LA 70117. Also,the center's founder and Executive Director is Leona Tate, the Black Lady who was the little BLACK girl, who helped integrate those two formerly ALL-WHITE schools in New Orleans, Louisiana,back in 1960.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : HENRY MORGAN GREEN

About 60 years ago, a horrible event occurred in Knoxville, Tennessee under the auspices of the Knoxville City Council. Back at that time, the city council introduced an Urban Renewal Program that led to the "leveling and demolishing" of an entire Black Community in Knoxville.Today, the area is known as "East Knoxville!" It is said that there were over 100 Black-owned businesses demolished.In addition to the Black businesses, it was reported that over 2,000 structures were destroyed to make way for City Urban Renewal Projects. Additionally, a report stated that 70% of the Black Citizens of Knoxville were forced to move from their homes and community. Well, it is rumored that a similar event like this took place in Monroe, Louisiana. However, because most of the people who were alive in Monroe, Louisiana back then have died and most of the records were either hidden or destroyed ; there are very few ways to let Black People living in Monroe today know that it even happened! Other than word of mouth, I haven't been able to find any information about when Black Citizens in Monroe were displaced from there homes and Communities back then. Heck, I wouldn't even have known anything about the former Black Community of "Bright Oak ," if I hadn't heard it from the mouth of Bernard Menyweather, a former resident of the Bright Oak Community. Yes, it's a shame that our Black Children in Monroe can graduate each year from all these schools, but still not learn anything at school about all the former Black Leaders, former Black Business Owners, and other Black People in Monroe who helped paved the way for them to even be able to attend these public schools in the city of Monroe and Ouachita Parish!!! Okay, on to this week's Black Pioneer. Henry Morgan Green was born born in 1877 in Adairsville, Georgia. Later his family moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he attended the local Normal School, later known as Knoxville College. After graduating in 1895, Henry took a teaching position in Riceville, Tennessee. Around 1898, he moved back to Knoxville to enroll in the college 's new medical department. Not long after obtaining his medical degree, Henry moved to Jellico, Tennessee, where he ran his first medical practice. In 1900, he got a hankering to return once again to Knoxville, Tennessee. However, this time when he returned home, the people referred to him as "Doctor Henry Green!" In addition to practicing medicine in Knoxville from 1900 - 1939, he served as the official Colored City Physician in Knoxville, Tennessee. Also, Henry was one of the founders of the Knoxville Medical College. Several of his other business interests included being a real-estate investor, President of the National Medical Association, and a town Alderman. Interesting enough, Henry was the first Colored Alderman in the city of Knoxville, and when he left office in 1912, it would be another 62 years before the Knoxville city council had another Black Alderman! Yes, it was a sad day on March 19, 1939, because that was the day that Henry Morgan Green died of pneumonia. When they buried him, it was fitting that they laid his body to rest on the campus of Knoxville College.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : MANTAN MORELAND

As I thought about the bills that Governor Jeff Landry and the Louisiana State Congress are passing, my mind got me thinking about the C.O.R.E.( The Congress of Racial Equality } Organization. The C.O.R.E. Organization was founded in 1942 by James Farmer and a few other Negroes. The organization's main goal was "to erase the color line through methods of direct nonviolent action." Additionally, C.O.R.E. leaned heavily on using "sit-ins and acts of civil disobedience" to challenge the Jim Crow Laws that were setup to enforce racial segregation. Also, I feel it's a terrible thing that very few Black People in Monroe, Louisiana remember when C.OR.E. came to Monroe, during the "SUMMER of 1964, and held sit-ins at the "WHITES ONLY" libraries and at the "WHITES ONLY" lunch counters of several downtown stores! Furthermore, it's disturbing that so much of the history of what went on in Monroe during the Civil Rights Era has been practically erased. Well, to make a long story short, I'm wondering if the Black Citizens of Louisiana might need to be looking into forming a new organization similarly to the one that was co-founded by James Farmer in 1942. Nevertheless, let's get to this week's Black Pioneer. Mantan Moreland was born on September 3,1902, in MONROE, LOUISIANA. His parents were, Frank and Marcella Moreland. In 1910, when he was between the ages of 11 & 14, Mantan ran away from home to join a minstrel show. By the time he reached the age of 25, Mantan had worked various shows on the Vaudeville Circuit, performed on Broadway, and had even toured Europe! Mantan would end up working with Black People such as Redd Foxx, Nipsey Russell, and Della Reese.Many of the films Mantan appeared in were aimed at Black audiences. They included the films One Dark Night, Lucky Ghost, Mr. Washington Goes To Town, and Mantan Runs For Mayor. By the way, Mantan also appeared in movies involving major film studios as well as some independent film producers. He even once played a serious role as the sergeant in charge of a squad of Senegalese Tirailleurs in French Colonial Algeria, alongside Ralph Byrd. Mantan 's last featured role was in the 1968 film, Spider Baby. Cc. Who would of 'THUNK" that a poor Black runaway kid from a small town in Northeast Louisiana would have been able to make it all the way to Hollywood! Sadly, on September 28, 1973, Mantan Moreland succumbed to a cerebral hemorrhage, in Los Angeles, California. In 2004, Mantan was inducted into the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum Hall of Fame.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : CHARLOTTE HAWKINS BROWN

Recently, I went online to see how much the current National Studentloan Debt is. Well, I was thinking that since President Biden had forgiven some of the studentloan debt during his term in office that the studentloan debt amount would have decreased, but it hadn't. As a matter of fact, the number is close to what it was before President Biden implemented his studentloan forgiveness program. As of March 2024, the total student loan debt in the United States was $1.727 trillion dollars! Well, ain't that a biscuit? Next, I found another interesting online article that said that when it comes to taking out studentloans and defaulting on studentloans,"BLACK WOMEN" are ranked number one out of any other group or race. Also, an online article reported that 67% of Black students who attended, but did not complete a for-profit college defaulted on their studentloans! Call it a conspiracy theory, but it seems to me that certain people in high places are using Black People's strong belief in Higher Education to lure Blacks into the proverbial Studentloan Debt "BLACK HOLE!" Jeepers Creepers, on to this week's Black Pioneer. Charlotte Hawkins Brown was born on June 11, 1883, in Henderson North Carolina. When she was very young, her mother moved her and her brother to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Charlotte graduated from Cambridge English High School, and then enrolled in Salem State Normal School.A Lady by the name of Alice F. Palmer stepped in and paid for all of Charlotte's school expenses! In 1901, after completing just one year of college, she was hired to teach at the Bethany Institute school for Colored children, in Sedalia, North Carolina. A year later the school officials decided to close the school. So what did Charlotte do? She did the same thing that a Colored man named Lawrence C Jones did when he founded Piney Woods School in Rankin County, Mississippi. She went and founded a new school called, "The Palmer Memorial Institute," in honor of the lady who had paid for all of her college expenses. Her school officially opened on October 10, 1902, as a day and boarding school for Colored children. Interesting enough, the Palmer Memorial Institute lasted throughout the turbulent times of the Great Depression, the rise of Jim Crow in America, and the Civil Rights Movement as well. In 1971, there was a fire at the school that prompted the Board of Directors to finally close the school for good. On January 11, 1961, after almost 60: years years of tireless dedication to educating Black Youth, Charlotte Hawkins Brown was laid to rest in Greensboro, North Carolina. Furthermore, several of the buildings of her school were restored, and are known today as The Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : TERESA GARLAND LEW

During the month of May, it's common for schools in America to hold graduations. Every May, thousands and thousands of Black students graduate from elementary schools, high schools, and colleges. So, with all of the graduating going on, what is the likelihood that "40% or MORE" of Black Graduates are "FUNCTIONAL ILLITERATES?" The use of the term functional illiterate is linked to a Caucasian educator by the name of William S. Gray. For those who don't know, William S. Gray and A female Caucasian lady by the name of Zerna A. Sharp were the ones who introduced the "Dick and Jane," reader series of books to the American school system, during the "GREAT DEPRESSION ERA" in America. Generally, a person who is functional illiterate has a limited vocabulary, has difficulty expressing simple ideas or abstract concepts, and prefers to memorize information rather than write it down. By the way, as of March 2025, there are reportedly between 48 million to 60 million people who are functional illiterate in America. Well, on to this week's Black Pioneer. Teresa Garland Lew was born in an area known as Pawtucketville, a neighborhood within the city of Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1894. Also, her great-grandfather, Barzillai Lew,was a Freedman who "fought in the American Revolution," how about that!!! Additionally, her father, William Lee, owned a dry cleaning business in Pawtucketville. Although there isn't any mention of Teresa attending grade school, it was reported that she graduated from Lowell High School in 1912, where she was the Class Salutatorian! At the time when she graduated, school policy mandated that a female couldn't be Class Valedictorian, only Salutatorian.Next, Teresa enrolled in Lowell Normal School, where she graduated and received her teaching degree in 1914. Her teaching stops included teaching at a segregated school in Virginia, teaching at The Colored Orphan Asylum, New York City's oldest orphanage for children of color that was founded by Quakers in 1836, and teaching in the Lowell Public School System. In the 1930s, just when everyone got use to looking at Teresa as only a teacher, she went and earned her law degree from Portia Law School, located in Boston, Massachusetts! Tragically, Teresa Garland Lew didn't live to see her 47th birthday, she died in 1941 at the tender age of 46. Even though she only lived to be 46 years old, Teresa helped paved the way for millions of Black Women in the field of Law & Teaching! In 2008, Teresa was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award by Lowell High School for her dedication and commitment to equality and education.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : ABRAHAM LINCOLN DAVIS

More and more each day, it seems as if we're at the dawn of "A NEW CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT" in Louisiana! Last Friday, May 10th marked the "FIFTH YEAR ANNIVERSARY" of the murder of a Black Louisiana citizen by the name of Ronald Green, at the hands of Louisiana State Troopers. On Friday, May 10th, Mona Hardin, the mother of Ronald Green, helped lead a rally at the Union Parish Courthouse, and a memorial was held later that afternoon in Monroe. Also, when we look at all of the new "Jim Crow" like bills that are being presented and passed by the Louisiana State Congress,"All I can say is "DEJA VU!" Additionally, the fact that Black residents of Louisiana are under represented in the Louisiana State Congress, doesn't help present matters at all. Finally, there's the unresolved issue of the congressional map. As of now, due to a federal court panel's divided decision to throw out Louisiana's congressional boundaries, the state is left without a map to hold the Nov. 5 election, and less than two weeks to produce one before the state's chief elections officer's deadline to conduct a fall ballot. Oh well, on to this week's Black Pioneer. Abraham Lincoln Davis was born in an area of Louisiana known as Bayou Goula, in 1914. Sometime between 1917 & 1921, his family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. Young Abraham graduated from McDonough 35 High School around 1931. In 1935, he was ordained as the minister at the New Zion Baptist Church in New Orleans. Abraham went on to earn his BA degree from Leland College in 1949. Among the interesting facts about Abraham Lincoln Davis are : in 1957, he was one of the founders of the Civil Rights group known as "The Louisiana Leadership Conference," which was a satellite organization of the SCLC organization headed by Rev Martin Luther King Jr. ; on September 30, 1963, he led a march of over 10,000 people, including Black & White people, on the New Orleans City Hall ; in 1975, he won the appointment race to replace a White City Councilman named Eddie Sapir, making him the first Black Man to serve on the New Orleans City Council since the "RECONSTRUCTION ERA!" Three years later, Abraham Lincoln Davis died at the age of 63.

OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : DR. GILBERT R MASON

"A boy is born in hard time Mississippi ; Surrounded by four walls that ain't so pretty ; His parents give him love and affection, to keep him strong, moving in the right direction, Living just enough, just enough,for the City!" - Stevie Wonder Often during the year, and especially during the summer months, many Black People from Monroe, Louisiana take trips to Biloxi, Mississippi to get away and enjoy the beach environment. Sadly, many go and come back without even realizing that they have just visited a site that held such significance for Black People during the Civil Rights Movement. You see, the Biloxi beach is where the "BILOXI WADE-INS," which were 3 protests conducted by local Blacks on the beaches of Biloxi, took place between 1959 and 1963. Well, I must admit that without the internet, I wouldn't have known about the Biloxi Wade-ins either. By the way, the Biloxi Wade-ins were led by a local Black doctor by the name of Gilbert R. Mason. During the first demonstration, Dr. Mason led 9 Black Biloxians onto a restricted spot along the Biloxi beach that was reserved for "WHITE'S ONLY!" Additionally, about a year later at a different Biloxi Wade-in, a literal "blood-bath," took place between Black citizens & White citizens of Biloxi, while White Biloxi police officers just stood by and watched! The race-riot was so bad that it led the U.S. Justice Department to initiate the first-ever federal court challenge of Mississippi’s segregationist laws and practices. In the Spring of 1963, about two weeks following the assassination of Medgar Evers, Gilbert led a third Biloxi Wade-in. This time, the Black protesters faced a group of about 2,000 White People, but the Biloxi police on the scene were instructed to keep the peace and keep the two groups apart. Even though a legal challenge had been initiated by the U.S.Department of Justice in 1960, it wasn't until 1968 that the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Mississippi beaches were indeed public property, and not private property! Up until the ruling, White private homeowners had insisted that the Biloxi beach was private property. So, the next time you visit Biloxi, Mississippi, please be sure and remember to visit the beaches where the "BILOXI WADE-INS & RACE-RIOT" took place between 1959 and 1963! Now on to this week's Black Pioneer. Gilbert R. Mason Sr. was born on October 7,1928 in Jackson, Mississippi to Willie A. Mason and Adeline J Mason. He was raised and received his childhood education in Jackson, Mississippi. In 1949, Gilbert left Jackson to attend Tennessee State University in Tennessee. After graduating from TSU, he enrolled at Howard University, a historically Black college in Washington D.C.. In 1954, Gilbert received his M.D. degree and moved to St. Louis, Missouri to serve his internship. In 1955,he completed his internship and moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where he opened a family medical clinic in Biloxi, Mississippi. Not long after being in Biloxi, Gilbert met a fellow Black doctor by the name of Felix Dunn, who had a office in Gulfport , Mississippi. They found out that they were both interested in the Civil Rights Movement, and both of them were members of the NAACP. Additionally, they set up a Black Citizens Action Committee to address the discrimination practices and Jim Crow Laws that were going on in Biloxi. Furthermore, the two doctors resented the fact that the Biloxi beach was reserved for the White citizens of Biloxi. Therefore, in 1959, Dr Gilbert R. Mason, Dr. Felix Dunn, and a group of other Black residents of Biloxi decided to organize a non-violent protest that became known as "THE BILOXI WADE-INS!" On July 8, 2006, Gilbert R. Mason died in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and was laid to rest in Biloxi City Cemetery.

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : LAWRENCE C JONES

. In Late November of 2023, at a Baton Rouge press conference, Republican Jay Dardenne, who was then the Commissioner of Administration in Governor John Bel Edwards administration, stated that he was "PRETTY SURE" that Governor Elect Jeff Landry wouldn't have to "MAKE ANY DRASTIC CUTS" in the Louisiana state budget when he takes office. The complete article can be read at this website site : https://www.thewestsidejournal.com/news/jbe-administration-leaves-state-in-much-better-shape-dardenne-says/article_0f4e81ba-8e6a-11ee-9b1f-a318d4daf31b.html . Mr. Jay Dardenne also touted the replenishment of the state’s “Rainy Day” fund, which has reached the "ONE-BILLION DOLLAR" threshold under Governor Edwards. Well,"FAST FORWARD" to April of 2024, and Governor Elect Jeff Landry is "cutting funding" for Education, teachers pay, and just about anything else that he can think of!!! Also, to go along with his extreme budget cuts, Governor Landry has issued a couple of Executive Orders to bully Congress into going along with his outlandish plans! However, in regards to his latest Executive Order, he offered few specifics as to what his plans entails. Furthermore, many Louisiana residents would like to know how come Governor Landry is constantly stating that Louisiana is going to be at a "$64 MILLION DOLLAR" deficit, when Republican Jay Dardenne, a person who has actually worked in the administration of former Governor John Bel Edwards has "spoken publicly" that there is NO CURRENT NEED for Governor Landry to be making ALL these INSIDIOUS budget cuts! Well, let get to this week's Black Pioneer. Laurence C. Jones was born in St. Joseph, Missouri on November 21,1882. While there is no record of where "or if" Lawrence attended grade school, in 1908, he was listed as a graduate of the University of Iowa. After graduating from UOA, he accepted a teaching position at Utica Institute, a small school for Colored children that was located in Utica, Mississippi. Not too long after he had been teaching at Utica, Lawrence was approached by a group of church people to found a school in Rankin County, Mississippi, a school which would become known as "Piney Woods!" He started Piney Woods with just $2 dollars and 3 Colored students. Also, a local freed slave named Ed Taylor, donated 40 acres of land and an abandoned sheep shed to help get the school going. The school functioned similar to how Booker T. Washington ran Tuskegee Institute. Additionally, in 1929, the Mississippi Blind School was started on the campus of Piney Woods School to educate blind Negro children in Rankin County. In edition to being the school's founder, first principal, and long-time president, Lawrence and his wife , Grace A. Jones served as the school 's chief fundraisers. On July 13, 1975, after completing his mission here on earth, Laurence C.Jones was laid to rest in Jackson, Mississippi. Isn't it wonderful that after all these years the Piney Woods School, which is known today as "Piney Woods Country Life School" is still in existence Today! NOTE : The Piney Woods Country Life School is a co-educational, independent historically African-American boarding school for grades 9 – 12. It is one of four remaining historically African-American boarding schools in the United States and is the largest (and second oldest) African-American boarding in the United States Today.