Celebrating Black History Month 2024 - Part 2 by The St. Louis American

Celebrating Black History Black History

African American Civil War Museum garners world record

Honors Black heroism during war

By Andrew S. Jacobson Washington Informer

In a historic achievement, the African American Civil War Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., has garnered a Guinness World Record for having the most names on a war memorial

With over 200,000 names etched onto its walls, the museum has successfully highlighted the immense contribution of African American soldiers to the Civil War and their pivotal role in reshaping the nation.

The museum has been a beacon of knowledge and remembrance, dedicated to sharing the untold stories of African Americans who fought during the Civil War.

Marquett Milton, the museum’s historical interpreter, said its mission is to reveal the truth about African Americans’ involvement in the Civil War, dispelling the long-held misconception that they were merely bystanders in the struggle for freedom.

“We shared an untold story, the number one American-kept secret about African Americans who fought in the Civil War,” said Milton.

He emphasized the importance of recognizing the African American soldiers’ heritage

“We made the best soldiers because we were descendants of soldiers that came over as prisoners of war,” he explained.

Milton also weighed in on the Emancipation Proclamation, describing it as a government’s call for help to save the Union and shows the significant role

played by African American troops in this endeavor.

“By arming us, we were the bomb because the idea was to turn us into the weapon,” Milton explained.

African American soldiers served as valuable assets – providing intelligence and reconnaissance, conducting raids, capturing Confederate officers, and frequently acting as spies, guides, and scouts in the South.

The Museum’s historical interpreter also highlighted the vital role played by

Iron-clad courage

Gateway Arch National Park to honor ‘Iron Riders’

By Alvin A. Reid

The St. Louis American

In honor of Black History Month, Gateway Arch National Park will host “Iron Riders: A Living History Demonstration” at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, February 10, 2024.

The event, located in the education classroom in the Visitor Center at the Gateway Arch, features reenactor Kevin Smith from Missouri State Parks, who will give visitors an account of the trials and triumphs faced by the Iron Riders. In 1897, the Iron Riders, a group of 23 men (20 Black soldiers, also known as

Buffalo Soldiers, and 3 white men), journeyed nearly 2,000 miles from Missoula, Montana to St. Louis on bicycles. The trek was part of a U.S. Army experiment to determine the effectiveness of moving troops by bicycle. The soldiers endured conditions that would have daunted even the most avid modern-day cyclists including severe weather events, extreme heat, food and water shortages, illness from alkali poisoning and racism and hostility from residents.

Each of the five states through which the soldiers rode – Montana, Wyoming,

Black civilians during the Civil War.

African Americans were not only on the front lines, but also filled essential skilled roles such as educators, nurses, launderers, cooks, laborers, and blacksmiths. Milton shared the comprehensive records and maps that highlighted the vast network of African American soldiers’ contributions during the Civil War.

“The African American Civil War Memorial Museum is a critical lens into the history of our country and Black Americans’ contributions,” shared

At-Large D.C. Council member Robert White. White went on to point out that these soldiers were responsible for maintaining law and order in the South during martial law, effectively taking over the region.

“Our stories are often lost or swept into a broader narrative that doesn’t capture Black Americans’ struggles and contributions. In truth, without Black Civil War

Kirkwood Black Heritage Celebration on Feb. 17

Bus tours, event at Kirkwood Historical Society

St. Louis American

The Kirkwood Historical Society will honor Black History Month and the city’s treasured African American heritage from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Feb. 17, 2024.

The Kirkwood Black Heritage Celebration will offer a range of activities and experiences highlighting the vibrant history and culture of Kirkwood’s African American community at the Historical Society’s Mudd’s Grove house 302 W. Argonne.

“This event is for people of all races

and ages to come and learn about our roots,” said Kirkwood native Fonda Fantroy Richards, chairperson of the celebration. She told Kirkwood City Lifestyle, “We want Black History Celebration 2024 to authentically educate people about our experiences. On the day of the Celebration, Mudd’s Grove will be dedicated to immersive experiences.

“We’ll have exhibits, rooms for advocacy organizations, sign-ups, and ways to get involved. Most importantly, the exhibits will explain how we can move

forward.”

• Historical Bus Tour: A guided journey through Kirkwood, hosted by longtime Kirkwood resident and former Kirkwood City Council Member Wallace Ward, will explore landmarks and stories that shaped the community’s Black history. The ADA-compliant bus tour will depart from the Kirkwood Community

See War, D3

Photo courtesy of American Legion

Buffalo Soldier re-enactors Bobby McDonald, Ron Jones and C.F. Brown

pay homage to a small group of soldiers from the 25th infantry regiment known as the Iron Riders during an American Legion tribute in Missoula, Montana in 2022.

Fantroy Richards’ great-great-greataunt was Ellen Cook, once a slave brought from Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, to live in Kirkwood by Capt. Lorraine Farquhar Jones, a manufacturer and Confederate Army veteran.

Capt. Jones built

house for Ellen Cook to live in at 310 Rose Hill, which became her family’s anchor in Kirkwood. The day of discovery and connection includes:

See Kirkwood, D4

Photo courtesy of Washington Informer

Marquett Milton, African American Civil War Memorial Museum historical interpreter, leads a group of students past the memorial in Washington D.C. The “Guiness Book of World Records” now recognizes the statue for having the most names on a war memorial.

Down memory lane

The St. Louis American celebrates Black History Month by honoring the boys and girls basketball programs at Wellston High School. It is the 40th anniversary of the boys Class 2A state championship team and the 30th anniversary of the girls Class 2A state championship team.

By Earl Austin Jr. St. Louis American

In my nearly 40 years of covering high school sports in the St. Louis metro area, one of my favorite places to visit was the old Eskridge High in Wellston.

Each year, on the opening day of high school basketball practice, I made it a habit to take my first visit to 1200 Sutter to see what was cooking with Coach Al Galloway and his Wellston Trojans. It became an annual tradition to see the Trojans first before anybody else. Soon after, I would also go visit the girls’ basketball team, which was led by head coach Carl Davis.

It has been a decade since Wellston High closed its doors for good, but the memories of those great Wellston basketball players and teams from the past are still vivid in my mind. That little gym would rock on Friday nights as fans were treated to some of the best boys and girls basketball talent that the St. Louis area had to offer.

As we celebrate Black History Month, it is only fitting that we celebrate the anniversary of two of those special teams in Wellston basketball history. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Wellston boys team that won the Missouri Class 2A state championship. A decade later, the Wellston girls’ followed suit by winning the Class 2A state

title. It is the 30th anniversary of that team’s great achievement.

I was a sophomore in college at Lindenwood University in 1984 when Wellston won its first state championship at the Hearnes Center in Columbia. The Trojans defeated Slater 67-50 to take home the crown. It was a close game at halftime, but the Trojans broke the game open with its signature 1-2-2 full court press that caused turnover after turnover and a number of fast break layups. That 1-2-2 press became a staple at Wellston much like the Green Bay Packers sweep or the famed Quincy High (IL) ball press.

The star of that championship team was junior Edgar Wilson, a 6’5” guard with monstrous athletic ability and an allaround game to match. Edgar was an explosive athlete who could throw down impressive dunks, but he could also pull up and hit 25 footers at a moment’s notice. He was a magnificent talent who could do it all.

The supporting cast around Edgar was very talented as well with forward Dywon Newell, who joined Wilson on the Class 2A All-State team. Chris Robinson and Rodney Jenkins were talented wing players while Garry Beals was an excellent point guard who ran the show.

The following year, Garry Beals became a teammate of mine at

Lindenwood as our starting point guard. That was when I started to gain my connection with Wellston through Garry, who they called “Bullet.” He would tell stories all the time about Edgar and the rest of the guys.

During the fall, Garry would take a bunch of us Lindenwood guys up to Wellston and we would play pickup ball against the Wellston team. I used to have to match up with Edgar. That’s when I found out how really good he was. Wow. Those pick-up games at Wellston with those guys were the beginning of my special connection to the Wellston program that still exists today.

Now, fast forward the clock 10 years and I was back at Wellston watching another state championship run. Only this time, I was working in the media and was able to chronicle every moment of the Trojanettes journey to the state title.

While the boys team was led by Edgar Wilson, the girls team was also led by a special talent in LaShonda Albert. Albert was a 6’1” guard who was simply one of the best girls players that the St. Louis area has ever produced. She was a tall guard with a flashy game and she could score from anywhere on the court. People came from all over the city to watch LaShonda play and she would always put on a show-stopping performance. She scored more

than 2,600 points during her fabulous career at Wellston.

In a district championship game against host Orchard Farm, Albert scored 60 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. And she did it in just three quarters as she took a seat for the fourth quarter.

Playing alongside her was her talented sister Tanisha Albert, a 5’9” sophomore guard who averaged nearly 20 points a game. Tanisha was a rock solid performer who can score, handle the ball and play excellent

defense.

Bertha Williams, Latoya Watson, Tyresa Robinson and Barbara Washington were also solid players who rounded out the lineup. In the state quarterfinals against Kelly, the Albert sisters combined for 52 points and 24 rebounds in a 69-44 victory.

The state championship game against Warsaw was a thriller as Wellston rallied to win 53-52 behind 29 points from LaShonda. She sent the Hearnes Center into a frenzy when she pulled up and hit a

25-footer to tie the game at 50-50 with just over a minute to play. And it was Tanisha who scored the go-ahead bucket in the closing seconds as the Trojanettes won their first state championship. Tanisha finished with 18 points in the state finals. If you grew up in the Wellston community or happened to catch a game at the high school, you knew that 1200 Sutter was a special place to be on a Friday night.

Photo by Wiley Price | St. Louis American

Superstar guard LaShonda Albert led the Wellston Trojanettes to the Class 2A state championship in 1994. The 6’1 Albert averaged 30 points a game as a senior and scored 2,646 points in her career.

South Dakota, Nebraska and Missouri – presented its own unique set of challenges.

In Montana, heavy rain at the beginning of the trek turned the road to muddy “gumbo,” making it so impassable that the soldiers chose instead to ride on the Northern Pacific Railroad tracks, having to endure endless jarring from riding over the ties.

At the Continental Divide, blowing sleet and snow reduced forward visibility to less than 20 feet, and the freezing temperatures forced the cyclists to make frequent stops to warm their hands and ears.

In both Montana and Wyoming, the soldiers were forced to wade through the Little Big Horn River multiple times, carrying their bikes on their shoulders. 2nd Lt. James A. Moss reported

Kirkwood

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Center at various times throughout the day. Sites include Olive Chapel AME Church, Mudd’s Grove, Meacham Park, Turner School, and Quinette Cemetery.

• Exhibit Open House: Explore the Kirkwood Historical Society’s permanent and special exhibits, featuring artifacts, photographs, and documents that bring Black history to life.

• Oral History

that the journey through northeastern Wyoming and southeastern South Dakota “was very dreary – the landscape was a monotonous series of hills, with now and then an alkali flat, while the water was abominable.”

Edward H. Boos, who was 20 years old during the trek, said the soldiers rode over “a great prickly pear prairie,” although no one sustained a tire puncture. In Nebraska, the corps experienced sandy roads, sometimes the sand was so deep that the riders were forced to dismount and push their bicycles along and, in some places, ride the railroad tracks again. The riders also suffered the ill effects from drinking alkali water, as well as the excessive July heat.

On July 16, 1897, the cyclists were ferried across the Missouri River at Rulo, Nebraska, and made their way into Missouri.

Although Missouri was the last leg of their journey, it continued to be an arduous trip. An article in

Interviews: Listen to first-hand accounts from Kirkwood’s African American residents as they share their memories and experiences. Among those sharing their stories will be Alvin A. Reid, St. Louis American news editor and “Donnybrook” panelist.

Reid’s grandfather, Robert Charles Reid, was one of four Black teachers that were first to teach in the Kirkwood School District in 1954.

His mother, Erma Jean Reid, taught 30 years in the district, beginning in 1966, and was the first Black president of the

the Kansas City Journal reported: “The roads across Missouri were bad

Missouri State Teachers Association.

• Family Activities: Enjoy hands-on activities and crafts designed for all ages, fostering a deeper

and hilly and with the exception of a few gravel roads, were the worst on the entire trip. When

Longtime Kirkwood resident and former Kirkwood City Council Member Wallace Ward will serve as commentator on bus tours during the Kirkwood Black Hertiage Celebration.

understanding and appreciation of Black culture.

• Refreshments and community gathering: Connect with fellow community members, enjoy

away from the railroad the people were inhospitable. In one instance water sufficient for cooking being

light refreshments, and celebrate the rich tapestry of Kirkwood’s history.

The Kirkwood Black Heritage Celebration is free and open to the public. Reservations are required for the historical bus tour due to limited capacity. To make a reservation for a bus tour, please call the Kirkwood Historical Society at (314) 965-5151.

Sponsors for the event include Roeser Home Remodeling, Carrollton Bank, OutFront Media, Universal Rental Crestwood, and the Kirkwood Kiwanis Club.

The Missouri

refused, and no reliable information regarding the roads could be found. The heat for the last three days of the trip was severe and hard on the men.”

Throughout the month, Gateway Arch National Park Rangers will also offer daily Black history-themed talks at 12:15 p.m.

Topics focus on the lives of African Americans in the West, ranging from the Dred Scott decision and Old Courthouse in St. Louis to the Exodusters movement.

The National Park Service will show the 20-minute documentary, Slavery on Trial, about the Dred Scott decision, on a loop in the Education Classroom every Saturday and Sunday in February.

The National Park Service will also offer a special Junior Ranger activity book and badge from the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom to Junior Rangers of all ages.

For more information,

Humanities Council (MHC) also awarded a grant of $2,493 to the Kirkwood Historical Society in support of this event and the new exhibits being created.

“Black history is our history,” said Fonda.

“We want everyone to understand that we need each other. We are part of each other.”

For additional information, please contact Deb Hill-Jablonski, Kirkwood Historical Society president at kwdhissoc@gmail. com, kirkwoodhistoricalsociety.com

Courtesy Photo

Members of the 25th Infantry cross a river during their 1,900 mile treck.

Courtesy photo

Honoring Our Past by Ensuring a Healthy Future

For Black History Month, Affinia Healthcare would like to pay special homage to these future history makers, an esteemed group of caring and dedicated professionals providing high-quality healthcare to our community. These providers and clinicians are examples of who we represent, using their skills and talents to serve our patients and communities, our inspiration for the work we do.

www.affiniahealthcare.org

Amplifying artists of every age. Black History Month 2024

AARP celebrates artists over 50 of every form. Through our Brain Health work, we know that art keeps us mentally sharp, as it connects us and preserves our collective story. We’re uplifting these dynamic artists who have mastered their craft in the areas of costume design, dance and hip-hop music.

Celebrate Black artists that make your community thrive this Black History Month and beyond.

AMC Theatres celebrates Black History Month with ‘$5 Fan Faves’

St, Louis American

AMC Theatres is celebrating Black History Month through the end of February with $5 showings of recent movies that showcase “Black Excellence in Film.”

The month will highlight four different movies that celebrate Black culture and feature Black filmmakers, writers and actors. The promotion is available at 175 AMC locations across the U.S. The St. Louis area AMC Theaters include the AMC Esquire 7 at 6706 Clayton Road and the AMC Creve Coeur 12 at 10465 Olive Boulevard.

“Black filmmakers and actors have given the world some of the most inspiring and captivating cinematic experiences, and that tradition has continued over the past few years with some amazing films that span multiple genres,” AMC said in a statement.

“Through the Black History Month $5 Fan Faves program, AMC Theatres is honoring those ongoing contributions by giving moviegoers the opportunity to revisit a curated selection of recent

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troops, our country would be a different place today,” White told The Informer.

On Feb. 1, Frank Smith, founding director, and for-

beloved films starring or created by exceptional Black film producers and actors, including Denzel Washington, Oprah Winfrey, Shameik Moore and Daveed Diggs.”

- Feb. 9 through 15: “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”

- This 2023 animated telling of the SpiderMan story follows Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Alti Moore), a teen living in Brooklyn, NY, as he comes into his superpowers and is transported into the multiverse to work alongside other SpiderPeople protecting the world. It was directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson.

mer Ward 1 D.C. Council member announced the Guinness World Record achievement, revealing that the museum has over 200,000 names and 175 regiments on its memorial wall, representing approximately 10% of the Northern army during the Civil War.

- Feb. 16 through 22: “The Color Purple” (2023) - The latest movie remake of Alice Walker›s influential novel based on the Broadway musical was directed by Blitz Bazawule and stars Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson and Danielle Brooks. Using musical numbers from the stage production, this adaptation tells the story of the protagonist Celie (Fantasia Barrino), a Black teen girl living in the deep American South during the early 19th century. It chronicles the hardships Celie is faced with and finds the strength to overcome over the following decades of her life.

- Feb. 23 through 29: “Soul” - This Pixar animated movie follows the story of a New York jazz pianist who suddenly finds himself trapped in a world between Earth and the afterlife after finally landing the big-break gig he›s been waiting for. Directed by Pete Docter and Kemp Powers, the film starred Jamie Foxx as the main character Joe.

“We’ve worked hard and long to bring this story of the heroic achievement of African American soldiers in the Civil War. To bring it to the attention of the public, and this Guinness recognition, makes it worldwide. So, we’re very pleased,” Smith said.