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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE : LOUISE "Pudden" GILBERT TUCKER

                                                                                                                              "MARY JANE HARPER CRIED LAST NIGHT!"          In case you all were wondering who is Mary Jane Harper, and why should you care about her crying last night ; she was a child character in A 1977 Television Movie, which depicted the "CRUEL REALITY OF CHILD ABUSE IN AMERICAN SOCIETY," and how things were getting out of hand! Well, as the years have gone by, we all can now see how right the movie was about many of the things that "ARE STILL HAPPENING TO CHILDREN IN AMERICA," in 2026. Also, to make matters  worst, several  reports  keep stating that Child Abuse in America has decreased,"BUT THEY NEVER REPORT EXACTLY HOW HIGH CHILD ABUSE CURRENTLY IS IN AMERICA!" Furthermore, one report stated,"THE CHILDREN HIGHEST AT RISK AND THAT HAVE THE HIGHEST RATE OF ABUSE ARE CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF ONE YEARS OLD!" Therefore, I will go out on a limb and say,"SEVERAL MARY JANE HARPERS CRIED LAST NIGHT!"   Well, with that said, on to this week's Black Pioneer!                 Louise "Pudden" G. Tucker was born in 1910 to Tommy and Julia Gilbert, in Wisner,Louisiana. Louise was a Black Pioneer in Monroe and Ouachita Parish in the area of Healthcare. Interestingly, "NOT ONLY WAS SHE THE FIRST BLACK FEMALE LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE IN OUACHITA PARISH, BUT LOUISE WAS ALSO THE FIRST BLACK FEMALE LICENSED NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR IN OUACHITA PARISH AS WELL!" To this very day, it is noted that many Black People have said that Louise helped set the bar for Black Nursing Home Administrators in Monroe and Ouachita Parish.By the way, additionally to serving as "NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR OF THE MARY GROSS NURSING HOME, IN MONROE, LOUISIANA FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS," Louise was a pillar of her community. After uniting with The First Missionary Baptist Church on March 2, 1975, she served faithfully in different areas of the church, including Chairperson of the Dorcas Missionary Circle, and as a dedicated Sunday School Teacher. When Mrs. Louise "Pudden" G. Tucker passed away on March 27, 2005, she passed the torch and task of running the Mary Gross Nursing Home to her granddaughter, Louise Davis, and her great-grandson, Tony Wilson.

 

OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE : AUGUSTA SAUNDERS

 

 

                                       Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with "MONROE'S LIVING LEGEND, FRANK TAYLOR!" As we talked, he mentioned  that there used to be a White-owned Company that once employed many Negroes    in Monroe. Surprisingly,    the name of the company was,"THE LOUISVILLE COOPERAGE COMPANY."      The company was actually  located at 2500 Jackson Street, on the Southside of Monroe, Louisiana, near the railroad tracks. By the way, it's been reported that in the COMPANY'S HAYDAY, it employed "OVER 135 PEOPLE, AND PROCESSED  SEVERAL MILLION TONS OF WHITE OAK & COW OAK TREES A YEAR." As I end this portion of my article,    I would like to say that it sure is strange how a  company as large as " THE LOUISVILLE COOPERAGE COMPANY," which employed so many Negroes and White  People in Monroe, was never mentioned at any of the schools in Monroe, while I was in school! With that said, on to this week's Black Pioneer! Augustus Leon Saunders Jr. was born on August 9, 1909, in Whistler, Alabama. Also, he was married to Mrs.Rosaline Parker Saunders. After playing a season of baseball for the Monroe Monarchs, Augustus decided to stay in Monroe, and make Monroe his home. While there isn't much information online about Augustus, I was able to find out that he played in The Negro Baseball League from 1927 to 1932. For the first 3 years of his career, he played second baseman for the Cleveland Hornets. Next, Augustus played a year with the Detroit Stars, before finishing his career with the Monroe Monarchs. By the way, The Monroe Monarchs played their home games in Monroe at "CASINO PARK," which was located in the area between Carroll High School and the railroad tracks along Renwick Street in Monroe, Louisiana. A couple of years ago, I was able to view the City marker for the Monroe Monarchs Baseball Team, which was located near Carroll High School. For those who didn't know, in 1932, Augustus and the Monroe Monarchs played "A CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AGAINST THE LEGENDARY PITTSBURGH CRAWFORD NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM." Incidentally, two of the Negro players on the Pittsburgh Crawford Team just happened to be "SATCHEL PAIGE AND JOSH GIBSON!"  Additionally, the Championship Series was dubbed as "THE NEGRO WORLD SERIES!" For a moment, I would like for everyone to just Imagine that it's "GAME ONE OF THE SERIES, IN THE TOP OF THE  SECOND INNING."  Satchel Paige is pitching, and Augustus Saunders comes up to bat. Satchel throws his first pitch, and Augustus swings and misses, and the umpire Yells..."STRIKE ONE!" Next, Satchel throws a fast ball straight down the middle, and this time Augustus gets a hit off of the famous Satchel Paige that Augustus would remember for the rest of his life!      Well, as far as the series went, the Pittsburgh Crawford Team went on to win the 1932 Championship Series over the Monroe Monarchs, 5 games to 1. Finally, years later when Rev. Roosevelt Wright was producing a play about the Negro Baseball League, at the Monroe Civic Center, Augustus Saunders made a special appearance, where he signed several baseballs for some of the Black Youth. Sadly, in February  of 1999, at the ripe old age of 89, Augustus Leon Saunders Jr. went home to be with the Lord. 

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : GARTH C. REEVES SR., Publisher Emeritus of The Miami Times Newspaper

                                          While I was online reminding my Facebook Friends that "TWO NEGRO NEIGHBORHOODS" were once established on the land near, around, or maybe even on the land where the "OLD HOLIDAY INN" use to be located, it was brought to my attention that "MOST BLACK AND WHITE PEOPLE'S KNOWLEDGE OF THE PAST HISTORY OF MONROE, LOUISIANA,  SIMPLY DOES NOT GO BACK THAT FAR!" Well, for those who didn't know, the two former Negro Neighborhoods that I am speaking of are : THE OLD BRIGHT OAK and THE OLD JACKSON QUARTERS NEIGHBORHOODS. Sadly to say, had it not been for my rigorous research efforts,    I probably would of never known about these two former Negro Communities either! By the way,"THE LAND WHERE THE OLD HOLIDOME HOTEL USE TO BE LOCATED USE TO BE OWNED BY BLACK PEOPLE TOO!" It seems that due to "THE EMINENT DOMAIN LAWS," many Negroes who lived in the area of "THE BOOKER T. WASHINGTON SUBDIVISION AND HIGHWAY 165," were forced to sale their homes and land,"FOR PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR!"Needless to say, I feel that going forward, it is imperative that the older generation of Black Citizens of Monroe do a better job of passing down the legacy as well as the History of our Black Ancestors who once lived here in Monroe and helped pave the way for us today!"  With that said, on to this week's Black Pioneer, Garth C. Reeves Sr.! Anyone familiar with the "MIAMI TIMES NEWSPAPER" has probably heard of the name,Garth C. Reeves Sr., "SOUTH FLORIDA'S LARGEST BLACK-OWNED NEWSPAPER," which was founded in 1923, by Henry Ethelbert Sigismund Reeves. For over two decades,Garth
oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Miami Times Newspaper after taking ownership of the paper following his father’s death in 1970. When it came to defending the civil rights of Negroes, Garth was a fearless fighter for the Negro cause as well as a staunch supporter!  In 1949, Garth and a group of his Negro friends filed a lawsuit over the city's unfair policy toward Black citizens using it's public golf course, which led to the desegregation of the "Miami Springs Golf Course" in 1959. Interestingly, during the "Civil Rights Movement Era," Garth was one of the leading Negro figures in Miami, Florida.YOU SEE, GARTH BELIEVED AND SOMETIMES PARTICIPATED IN THE PRACTICE OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE." In 1957, Garth, a group of Negro Leaders, and a few Negro Citizens decided to challenge the City of Miami's Beach Policy of not allowing Negroes to swim or sit on the beach. The morning that the group of Negroes went to the public beach in Dade County, Florida, they were met with a parade of armed policemen. Although there was plenty of police presence that day at the beach, Garth and everyone else were allowed to stay and swim, and Negroes have been attending the beaches of Florida every since! Upon his retirement  from To his surprise, when Garth retired from his duties at the Miami Times in 1994, he was officially named "Publisher Emeritus." Additionally, in 2017, Garth was inducted into the "National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame. Finally, in 2019, after his wife Rachel passed away, Garth's health went down hill. Sadly, on November 25, 2019, after living for a little more than an "ENTIRE CENTURY," Garth C. Reeves went home to be with the Lord! 

 

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : ROSALIND PARKER SAUNDERS, "Esteemed Negro Music Teacher in Monroe, Louisiana"

 

                                                                                                                                        Once Upon A Time in Monroe, Louisiana, when Negroes weren't allowed to shop at White Owned Grocery Stores,"NEGROES ESTABLISHED THEIR OWN GROCERY STORES TO HELP TAKE CARE OF THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES!" Reportedly, EACH BLACK COMMUNITY had between 3 to 7 groceries stores, which were owned and operated by BLACK MEMBERS of the BLACK COMMUNITY. Also, in addition to grocery stores, many Black People owned  their own chickens, goats, and cows as well as their own gardens, where they grew their own fruits & vegetables. Why, even Professor Madison James Foster sold milk and eggs to members of his community, to help families survive the rough times! Additionally, there were Black Grocery Store & Meat Market Owners like Maryland Brooks,The Colored Cattle King ; Isac Burnett, who operated his store at 2800 Jackson Street for approximately 50 years ; and T. J. Davis, a young 23 year old Negro who opened up his grocery store a couple of years after John R. Patterson closed "The Million Article Grocery Store," which was located near North 18th Street and Grammont Street, in Monroe. Fortunately, these Black Grocers stepped in and filled the gap, so that Black People in Monroe didn't go without groceries! You see, back when BLACKS couldn't shop at "WHITE OWNED GROCERY STORES" in Monroe, Black People in Monroe learned that "IF THEY POOLED THEIR RESOURCES AND SUPPORTED ONE ANOTHER," they could makeout just fine, and didn't have to depend so much on other races. By the way, "IT HAS BEEN STATED THAT FOLLOWING THE AFTERMATH OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964," BLACK PEOPLE in America lost 70% of Their Black Schools, 75 % of Their Black Businesses, and between 75% - 85% of the land that they once owned!!! With that said, let's get to this week's Black Pioneer, Rosaline Saunders! While I wasn't able to learn anything about her birth and early childhood education, I found out that her mother, Mrs. Bertha Medlock Parker, was also a local music teacher as well. Although Rosaline Saunders taught music locally for "MORE THAN 30 YEARS," you will be hard pressed to find any information about her and her contributions to the Black Communities of Monroe, Louisiana, online or elsewhere! Interestingly, some of her many students went on to become local teachers, lawyers, and other business professionals, right here in the City of Monroe. By the way, in 1970, Rosaline became the first, "AND THE ONLY BLACK ACTIVE MEMBER" of The Monroe Center of The National Guild of Piano Teachers, American College of Musicians U. S. A.! Additionally, in 1975, she was elected to complete the unexpired term of Dr. Frank Carroll, and became the "FIRST BLACK" to serve on The Louisiana Music Certification Board. In addition to her receiving notable honors and accomplishments, several of her students made some too! One of her top students was, CRAYTONIA DAVIS, who was declared the overall District Winner, with an "A SUPERIOR RATING," at a Louisiana Music Teachers District Rally, which was held at Northeast Louisiana University, in Monroe, Louisiana. NOTE : Not only did his winning the competition at NLU make "A BOLD STATEMENT FOR LOCAL BLACK EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC," it also qualified him to compete for state honors. It may interest everyone to know that the "STATE FINALS" was held in Monroe, at the now defunct, Holiday Inn that was located on Louisville Avenue. Of course, as his outstanding music teacher, Rosaline Saunders expected,"CRAYTONIA HANDLED HIS BUSINESS, AND HE TOOK HOME THE STATE TROPHY, MAKING HIM THE FIRST BLACK TO EVER ACHIEVE THIS HONOR!" Well, another thing that most people in Monroe didn't know about Rosaline Saunders is that she didn't just teach her students,"SHE WENT THE EXTRA MILE" and saw to it that many of her students received "HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS" for putting in music practice time with her,"LIKE MANY OF THE WHITE STUDENTS AT HIGH SCHOOLS IN MONROE WERE RECEIVING AT THE TIME. Among the Black Students that she helped to receive credits were : Wossman High School Students : Wiletta Sanders, daughter of William and Idella Sanders  ; Clarinda Andrews, daughter of Darrell and Clara  Andrews ; Karen Brown, daughter of Australia Gualman ; and  Carroll High School Student, Rita Hegwood, daughter of Naomi Hegwood. In closing, I'm hoping that more of her former students and people who knew her will come forth with more information on her, so that students at the schools in Our Black Communities can read about her achievements and contributions online,"SINCE NONE OF THIS INFORMATION IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT 

Was

"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : THE 1980 JUDGE STAGG COURT RULING

 

                                                                                       "You have to Know the Past to Understand the Present" -Carl Sagan                                                                                                             .                In order to better understand why a small klan of White People, The Neville Charter Association,"ARE SO ADAMANT ABOUT PUSHING FOR NEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL TO BECOME A CHARTER SCHOOL, WE NEED TO GO BACK TO THE YEAR 1931,THE YEAR WHEN NEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL OPENED AS A WHITE ONLY SCHOOL!" Once we visit the past history of Neville High School, we can fully understand why "A SMALL GROUP OF WHITE CITIZENS IN MONROE" would be so concerned about taking a High School, "WHOSE CURRENT STUDENT-BODY IS "APPROXIMATELY 60% BLACK," and making it a Charter School! You see, around 1929, the former old "WHITE ONLY" HIGH School,  "CITY HIGH," was becoming too small to accommodate the amount of White Students attending the school. Therefore, White People decided to have a new school built. By the way, I haven't been able to confirm that this new school opened as "CITY HIGH," but I have reason to suspect that it could of been. Nevertheless, it's a fact that when the school was first built,"NEGRO STUDENTS" were not allowed to attend Neville High School. As a matter of fact, "THE SCHOOL ACTUALLY OPERATED IN MONROE FOR ALMOST FOUR WHOLE DECADES AS A WHITE ONLY HIGH SCHOOL!" These days, some people don't like it when I bring up the racism that Black Students had to endure in Monroe. It's seems as though they can't relate to, or don't want to relate to Black Children being told that they couldn't attend a school, simply because of the color of their skin. However, when I ask them how they would feel if they were discriminated against, because they were White, all of a sudden, they tend to get pretty quiet! With that said, let me inform everyone about the "1980 Judge Stagg Court Order Ruling," that Triggered the last "WHITE EXODUS" at Neville High School. You see, Judge Stagg's ruling included "REZONING" of the high schools in Monroe, however, it didn't take effect until 1981. So in 1981, when Judge Stagg 's Consent Decree went into effect,      it disrupted the lives of many students in Monroe, Black and White! Interesting, it was Judge Stagg 's ruling that sent many new Black Students to Neville High School, and as I eluded to earlier, the departure of many White Students as well. Now, let's fast forward to the year 2024, when The Neville Charter Association presented its proposal to make Neville a Charter School to the Monroe City School Board for approval, under the "GUISES" that they want to avoid  financial bureaucracy, and for Financial & Operational Autonomy, when they really are trying to make Neville High School A Charter School, so they can "CHERRY-PICK" the students they want attending Neville! FURTHERMORE, LITTLE  HAS BEEN MENTIONED PUBLICLY ABOUT THE REZONING OF SEVERAL MONROE CITY SCHOOLS, AND THAT MANY OF THE BLACK STUDENTS NOW ATTENDING NEVILLE WILL HAVE TO ATTEND OTHER SCHOOLS! In closing,I would like to state what everyone in the City of Monroe already knows to be a true fact,"AIN'T NO WAY IN WEST HELL ARE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF WHITE PARENTS LIVING IN MONROE, LOUISIANA GOING TO ENROLL THEIR WHITE CHILDREN AT NEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL,AS LONG AS THE CURRENT PERCENTAGE OF BLACK STUDENTS ATTENDING NEVILLE REMAINS AT 60%!