Black History Month is celebrated every February to honor the achievements of African Americans who have shaped American history. Historian Carter G. Woodson hoped to raise awareness of African American's contributions to civilization by establishing Negro History Week. The event was first celebrated during a week in February 1926 that included both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass' birthdays. The week was later expanded to a month in 1976 during the United States bicentennial.
PHOTO: On March 20, 1969, Black hospital workers at the Medical College of South Carolina in Charleston went on strike to protest the firing of twelve employees and to call for higher wages and union recognition.
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Dr. Cleveland Sellers, and the panelists go more in depth about the inconsistencies with recollections and eyewitness reports from the night of the incident.
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In this segment, the panelists discuss Cleveland Sellers’ role in the incident. Sellers was the only “agitator” tried and convicted from what happened the night of the shooting. Dr. Sellers also joins...
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This segment elaborates more on law enforcement’s response the night of the shooting, along with covering some of the conflicting eyewitness reports.
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Bonniwell Graham, W. Lloyd Walker, and Johnny A. Jones were students at S.C. State College, and they share their experiences during the night of the shooting, along with some of the injuries sustained...
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The survivors, and the panel discuss the pain still presently felt from that night, along with the seeking of closure.
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Dorothy Wilson talks about her grandfather, William Griffin. The history of William Griffin goes back to 1886. The Griffin family were sharecroppers and farmers. Her grandfather purchased 80 acres of...
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Francine Davis' family moved to Blythewood in 1940 so she can attend the only black high school available in District 2. There were several church-based schools for black children to attend, but...
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Explore the African American community through the experiences of Blythewood resident, Ruby Brice. Brice's paternal family lived in Blythewood since the late 1800s. In the early 1900s, her maternal...
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Constelena Kelly's great-great grandfather, a Caucasian man, was married to a Cherokee Native American who lived on the reservation. A time came when she was not allowed to live anywhere but on the...
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Naomi and Matty share memories of their father and growing up in Blythewood. Their father was a farmer and activist, encouraging people in the community to register to vote. This was during the time...
