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African American History, American History, Community, Elbert Williams, Injustice, Justice, Social Justice

The National Park Service is asking for public comments on lynching sites in the Memphis region, including Brownsville, Tennessee—where Elbert Williams was killed in 1940 for organizing Black voter registration. This is more than a historical review. It is a chance for communities and descendant families to help shape how this story is remembered, preserved, and taught. For many of us, especially those with roots stretching from Tennessee to Michigan, this history is not distant. It lives in

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African American History, Elbert Williams, Justice, Life, Media, Social Justice, Writing

Article Reprinted, Courtesy of Brownsville States-Graphic OPINION | DISCOVERING JUNETEENTHBy Leslie McGraw, Great Grandniece of Elbert Williams I didn’t grow up celebrating Juneteenth. Like many Black Americans in the Midwest, I knew of it only vaguely—something about Texas, something about the end of slavery, but it felt distant, like someone else’s history. In my 11th […]

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African American History, American History, Community, Elbert Williams

Brownsville's 2024 bicentennial will be celebrated with the theme "A Journey Through Our History – A Pathway to Progress". The town's history is shaped by African and European cultures, contributing to a bright future. African cultures have influenced art forms globally, including music genres. Prominent individuals from Brownsville have made national and international contributions. The community celebrates African beauty standards and showcases art like "Women of a New Tribe" by Jerry Taliaf

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Activism, African American History, American History, Community, Elbert Williams, Inequality, Injustice, Social Justice

Today was a historic moment for our nation.  Garry Brown, Tennessee District Attorney, announced that he has re-opened the investigation into the 1940 murder of whom some have identified as the “first martyr of the civil rights movement”, Elbert Williams. Mr. Elbert Williams was a bright, outspoken 31-year-old family-oriented man in the predominantly black community […]

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