Educate, Energize, Engage

Black History Month is celebrated in February and Freedom Day is celebrated in June. These are national observances that highlight the contributions, achievements and history of America’s Black community. This month Knox County will celebrate a Black history so broad and far-reaching that events are spread over multiple days and locations.

The celebrations will begin on September 19 at the McGrady-Brockman House, 614 N. 7th Street, Vincennes, Knox County Public Library’s historical and genealogical archive at the corner of Seventh and Hart Streets. The Black History Preservation Project of Knox County (BHPP) has given this year’s event the name Educate, Energize, Engage and the planned events will do just that.

Larry Curry, a noted historian from Lawrence County, will kick things off with a presentation about the history of education in Lawrence County Illinois’ Black community. Home to members of the Tuskegee Airmen and relatives of the late Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, Lawrence County has a lot to talk about, much it founded in education.

At 1:00 the band Soul ‘n the Pocket will return. Last year their mix of R & B, soul and classics set a tone for the event that was at once laid-back and alive. The level of musicianship and improvisation kept listeners fully engaged, and having a good time with their neighbors. BHPP is GLAD to welcome them back to the McGrady-Brockman front porch.

Annette O’Rourke will deliver remarks and remembrance of the tragic 1962 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing that took the lives of Carol Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Addie Mae Collins. Too often it was and is horrible events such as this that make apparent the need for meaningful civil rights legislation.

When Soul ‘n the Pocket winds up, film director Craig Dudnick will be in the Sunroom of the main library, 502 N. 7th Street, Vincennes. Dudnick’s documentary film, Alice’s Ordinary People, details the life and work of Alice Tregay and her effort to use education to engage people in her community for change. After a screening of the film, Dudnick will answer questions and lead a discussion about Tregay’s “ordinary people” from Operation Breadbasket to the election of Barack Obama.

Throughout the day the League of Women Voters (LWV) will be at the McGrady-Brockman House throughout the day on September 19th. LMV of Southwest Indiana works to protect and expand voting rights in a grassroots and nonpartisan fashion using education and advocacy to involve people, helping ensure their representation in democracy.

While all this is happening, mouth-watering and tasty BBQ will be available from Pebbles 812 BBQ. Ribs, pulled pork, everything you’re hungry for will be available to eat on site or take home.

Black history education, civic engagement and education, great music and BBQ. We’ll see you there!

The next day, Sunday, September 20, at 2:00 at Greenlawn Cemetery on Willow Street is an event whose significance cannot be overstated. The Francis Vigo Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution along with Indiana Landmarks Black History Preservation Program will unveil a marker commemorating the lives

and service of three of Knox County’s Black Revolutionary War Soldiers. Peter McAnnely, Moses Knight and Daniel Strother served in the American Revolution. Moses Knight was at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse and McAnnely and Strother were with George Washington when Cornwallis surrendered.

Ladies and gentlemen, this speaks directly and with great volume to the foundational history of Vincennes and the Revolutionary War. These three patriots fought for the freedom of our nation from “the crown”, returned to Knox County (in the Northwest Territory) after the war, and continued to fight for their own freedom from slavery. Further, members of the Knight family would become founding members of the Bethel A.M.E. Church. The contributions of these people and significance of this history are impossible to ignore.

Knox County’s history is rich and engaging. The Black History Preservation Project of Knox County, the Francis Vigo Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Indiana Landmark’s Black History Preservation Program invite you to explore that history this month by attending these events which will leave you educated, energized and engaged.