African American

Covington once hosted Blues legends B.B. King, Bobby “Blue” Bland and Muddy Waters

This article, written by Echo Day, was originally printed int he Covington Leader on Feb 11, 2021 The Blue Flame is no longer standing and the memories of the time when it hosted legendary Blues musicians have begun to fade. Located near present-day WKBL Drive in Covington, the nightclub was once the place where B.B. …

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Recognizing the disparity in news coverage for African American and white soldiers in The Leader

The following article, written by Sherri Onorati, was first published in the Covington Leader Feb 26, 2021 During the early years of the Covington Leader, each week one could find a very short paragraph titled “Colored Folks” which would provide a few sentences of news thought to be of interest to the county’s African American …

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Black History Month: Mason’s John W. Boyd went from slavery to the statehouse

This article, written by Sherri Onorati, first appeared in the Covington Leader on Feb. 7, 2020 Since 1976, the month of February has been celebrated as Black History Month – an opportunity to dedicate an entire month to celebrating and educating Americans across the country and the world on the achievements and amazing accomplishments of …

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Letters from the Warfront: In 1944, Sgt. Ernest Taylor wrote to The Leader about Negro History Week

This article, written by Echo Day, was first published in the Covington Leader on Feb. 24, 2021. On Feb. 24, 1944, The Covington Leader published a letter from Sgt. Ernest Eugene Taylor, of Mason, commemorating what was then known as Negro History Week. In his letter, Taylor spelled out his hopes for progress with race …

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WWII African American Service Contributions

This article, written by Sherri Onorati, was first published in the Covington Leader on Nov. 11, 2020 The soldiers who came home after World War I were tired, traumatized and many felt out-of-place given what they had been through – even in their hometowns – places which should have been welcoming and familiar. A small …

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Slave Narrative of Marie Sutton Clements, pt.2

Interviewer Miss Irene RobertsonPerson interviewed Maria Sutton Clements of De Valls Bluff, Ark.Age: Between 85 and 90 “Miss, I don’t know a whole heap bout Mr. Wimbeish. I don’t know no other name that what they all call him. Some I heard say it like Wimbush. He was a great big man, big in here …

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Slave Narrative of Maria Sutton Clements, pt. 3

Interviewer Miss Irene RobertsonPerson interviewed Maria Sutton Clements of De Valls Bluff, Ark.Age: [not listed] “Missus, I thought if I’d see you agin I’d tell you this song” ‘Jeff Davis is PresidentAbe Lincoln is a foolCome here, see Jeff ride the gray horseAnd Abe Lincoln the mule.’ “They sung all sich songs during’ of the …

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Slave Narrative of Maria S. Clemments – pt. 1

Interviewer: Miss Irene Robertson PersonPerson Interviewed: Maria Sutton ClemmentsLocation: DeValls Bluff, Ark.Age: Between 85 and 90 yearsOccupation: Cook I don’t know jes how old I is. Yes mum I show do member the war jes lack as if it was yesterday. I was born in Lincoln County, Georgia. My old mistress was named Frances Sutton. She was a real …

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