WEBVTT 00:02.533 --> 00:03.900 align:left position:32.5% line:89% size:57.5% - Good evening. 00:04.000 --> 00:07.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% I wanna thank you all for coming to this month's series 00:07.166 --> 00:10.400 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% on Blacks in America. 00:10.500 --> 00:12.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% This is in collaboration with the Beloit Public Library. 00:13.033 --> 00:14.633 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% My name is Terese Craig, 00:14.733 --> 00:18.000 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and I'm excited to present Linda Fair this evening 00:18.100 --> 00:19.700 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% as your facilitator. 00:19.800 --> 00:23.300 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% We will be exploring Beloit's black history 00:23.400 --> 00:28.100 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% and some of the first, many of the firsts here in Beloit. 00:28.200 --> 00:31.433 align:left position:15% line:71% size:75% And for those of you, if this is your first time joining us, 00:31.533 --> 00:35.566 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% we began a monthly series back in April, 00:35.666 --> 00:39.366 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% and we're just doing different topics of exploration 00:39.466 --> 00:43.566 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% regarding the contributions of black Americans 00:43.666 --> 00:46.566 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% from a narrative that is not about enslavement, 00:46.666 --> 00:49.666 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% so about the contributions to our country. 00:49.766 --> 00:51.366 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% So I'm really excited that we get 00:51.466 --> 00:54.166 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% to explore our hometown of Beloit. 00:54.266 --> 00:57.033 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And at this point, with no further ado, 00:57.133 --> 00:59.233 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% I will turn it over to Linda Fair. 01:00.800 --> 01:03.800 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% [audience applauding] 01:05.333 --> 01:06.333 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% - Thank you, Terese. 01:07.866 --> 01:10.133 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Thank you all for being here tonight. 01:11.533 --> 01:15.566 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% "History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, 01:15.666 --> 01:17.300 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% "but if faced with courage, 01:17.400 --> 01:21.166 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% "need not be lived again," Maya Angelou. 01:21.266 --> 01:22.966 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% Today, I will be talking to you 01:23.066 --> 01:24.833 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% about Beloit's black history, 01:24.933 --> 01:28.333 align:left position:25% line:71% size:65% some of the best-kept secrets in this state. 01:28.433 --> 01:31.366 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% Today's presentation will feature subtopics 01:31.466 --> 01:35.133 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% on the beginning, the Great Migration, 01:35.233 --> 01:38.966 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% education, faith in the black church, 01:39.066 --> 01:42.333 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% employment opportunities, healthcare, 01:42.433 --> 01:44.766 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and Beloit black history firsts. 01:47.200 --> 01:48.366 align:left position:32.5% line:71% size:57.5% The beginning. 01:50.100 --> 01:54.500 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% In the beginning, there was Mr. And Mrs. Emmanuel Craig. 01:54.600 --> 01:59.400 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5%   They were the earliest blacks to settle in Beloit in 1839. 01:59.500 --> 02:04.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% He was a coachman who lived to be 115 years old. 02:05.566 --> 02:10.033 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% In 1855, there were 2,753 people in Beloit 02:11.233 --> 02:13.633 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% and only 18 blacks. 02:13.733 --> 02:18.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% In 1860, there were 4,098 people with only 27 blacks. 02:20.300 --> 02:24.733 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% 1910, the number increased to 15,000 people, 02:24.833 --> 02:27.100 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and only 60 blacks. 02:27.200 --> 02:32.866 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Then we get to 1920, where the population became 21,284 02:34.000 --> 02:36.566 align:left position:30% line:71% size:60% with 834 blacks. 02:36.666 --> 02:38.700 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Now fast forward to 2019, 02:38.800 --> 02:42.366 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% the city is populated with 15% African Americans. 02:43.366 --> 02:44.900 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Besides the Craigs, 02:45.000 --> 02:48.033 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% there were other people, too, Joseph Bowling. 02:48.133 --> 02:52.266 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% He came in 1846 from Raleigh, North Carolina. 02:52.366 --> 02:54.266 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And he was the first boot maker. 02:54.366 --> 02:57.000 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And also, the Gilliam Perry family. 02:57.100 --> 03:00.166 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% The Craigs were among those who witnessed the formation 03:00.266 --> 03:03.733 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% of the township government in 1842, 03:03.833 --> 03:07.900 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% and the founding of Beloit College in 1846, 03:08.000 --> 03:11.333 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% two years even before Wisconsin statehood. 03:11.433 --> 03:13.100 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Then there was the Waffle family, 03:13.200 --> 03:15.200 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% William and his mother and brother. 03:15.300 --> 03:17.833 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% They settled in Beloit in the 1850s 03:17.933 --> 03:20.633 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and was one of the town's first blacksmiths. 03:20.733 --> 03:22.733 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% Then came the Strothers family 03:22.833 --> 03:25.266 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% and along with the Bond family. 03:26.700 --> 03:29.600 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Each of these people came seeking greater change, 03:29.700 --> 03:31.666 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% greater prosper for their family. 03:33.633 --> 03:35.633 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Then we get to the good part, 03:36.833 --> 03:39.066 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% one of the better parts I like to say. 03:39.166 --> 03:44.066 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% "Beloit, Beloit, Beloit," 03:45.066 --> 03:47.433 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% said the train conductor as he carried loads of people 03:47.533 --> 03:51.466 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% from the South to the North to work at Fairbanks Morse. 03:51.566 --> 03:56.000 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% He called out again, "Beloit, Beloit, Beloit." 03:56.100 --> 03:57.533 align:left position:30% line:71% size:60% No one moved. 03:57.633 --> 03:59.733 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Then he said, "Fairbanks," 03:59.833 --> 04:01.433 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and the whole train emptied. 04:01.533 --> 04:02.666 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% [audience laughing] They didn't know 04:02.766 --> 04:05.200 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% where they were going except to Fairbanks. 04:05.300 --> 04:06.700 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% They knew they were coming north. 04:06.800 --> 04:08.166 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% They knew they were coming to Fairbanks. 04:08.266 --> 04:11.433 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% They had no idea what the name of the city was, 04:11.533 --> 04:14.866 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% but they knew that they were going to Fairbanks. 04:14.966 --> 04:17.900 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% So they unloaded the train, 04:18.000 --> 04:20.433 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% and that's when the Great Migration began. 04:20.533 --> 04:23.333 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5%   There was a labor shortage Fairbanks was facing, 04:23.433 --> 04:26.333 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% but the work was still there and great in need. 04:26.433 --> 04:28.166 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% World War I had just started, 04:28.266 --> 04:31.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and most of the white laborers had joined the army 04:32.700 --> 04:34.933 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% to go fight in the World War I. 04:35.933 --> 04:38.200 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% So that became a labor shortage. 04:38.300 --> 04:40.800 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% Then when John McCord, one of the janitors 04:40.900 --> 04:44.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% that worked at Fairbanks cleaning the main office 04:44.966 --> 04:47.533 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% and some of the bigger offices, told them, 04:47.633 --> 04:49.133 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% "I know how to get some good men. 04:49.233 --> 04:50.800 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% "I can get you a few good men." 04:50.900 --> 04:52.466 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And they said, "Well, what do you mean? 04:52.566 --> 04:53.466 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% "What are you talking about?" 04:53.566 --> 04:55.633 align:left position:30% line:71% size:60% He said, "I came from the South." 04:55.733 --> 04:57.933 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% 1918, John McCord, 04:58.033 --> 05:00.733 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% I mean 1914, I'm sorry, he came to Beloit, 05:00.833 --> 05:02.700 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and this is now 1918. 05:02.800 --> 05:06.000 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And he said, "I know where to find a few good men. 05:06.100 --> 05:07.966 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% "I know where to get a few good men." 05:08.066 --> 05:11.066 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% They said, "We're gonna send you down south 05:11.166 --> 05:14.766 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% "to bring us back 18 men." 05:14.866 --> 05:19.733 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% "Bring us 18 men who are church men, hardworking, 05:19.833 --> 05:21.766 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% "and looking for change." 05:21.866 --> 05:23.666 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% He said, "No problem, I can do that." 05:23.766 --> 05:26.833 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% So he went down in search of a few good men. 05:26.933 --> 05:29.300 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% He made four recruiting trips. 05:29.400 --> 05:31.866 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% After the first trip, another gentleman 05:31.966 --> 05:35.566 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% by the name of Walter Ingram, who played semi-pro baseball 05:35.666 --> 05:37.800 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and knew the ins and outs of the South, 05:37.900 --> 05:40.033 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% he said, "I'll go with you." 05:40.133 --> 05:41.833 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% It was a treacherous trip sometimes 05:41.933 --> 05:45.400 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% because they were faced with those labor laws, 05:45.500 --> 05:46.666 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% where a lot of the whites 05:46.766 --> 05:48.666 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% in the South didn't want you recruiting 05:48.766 --> 05:50.800 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% and bringing people from the South up here 05:50.900 --> 05:53.366 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% for a chance of hope and prosperity. 05:53.466 --> 05:55.833 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% So after about four trips, they stopped. 05:55.933 --> 05:58.633 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% But by this time, they had well-enough laborers, 05:58.733 --> 06:00.933 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and people were bringing back their families. 06:01.033 --> 06:04.000 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% He was a well-liked janitor, and from that moment on, 06:04.100 --> 06:06.900 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Fairbanks really entrusted their faith in him. 06:07.000 --> 06:11.000 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% By this time, Beloit had over 2,000 blacks. 06:11.100 --> 06:12.833 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% It was a dangerous venture. 06:12.933 --> 06:15.533 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% One day on a trip coming back, 06:15.633 --> 06:18.200 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% they stopped in Memphis, Tennessee, 06:18.300 --> 06:20.066 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% and they witnessed a lynching. 06:20.166 --> 06:21.866 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And that was the end of those trips. 06:21.966 --> 06:24.433 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% They were too frazzled to want to go back 06:24.533 --> 06:26.433 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and pursue just for their safety. 06:26.533 --> 06:28.500 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% And by this time, their families were saying, 06:28.600 --> 06:30.800 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% "It's not worth it for you to bring others. 06:30.900 --> 06:33.466 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% "We need you here as well." 06:33.566 --> 06:35.533 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% After they got all the people up here, 06:35.633 --> 06:37.366 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% they're like, "What are we gonna do with them? 06:37.466 --> 06:38.533 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% "Where are they gonna stay? 06:38.633 --> 06:39.966 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% "We promised them this. 06:40.066 --> 06:43.900 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% "We promised them housing, we promised them employment." 06:44.000 --> 06:45.200 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And that's when they created 06:45.300 --> 06:47.400 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% what's called the Fairbanks Flats. 06:47.500 --> 06:50.166 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Fairbanks Flats is still in existence even. 06:50.266 --> 06:52.200 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% It was built to house the workers 06:52.300 --> 06:55.500 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% over on the west side of town just off Shore Drive. 06:56.500 --> 06:58.033 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% They have all these people here. 06:58.133 --> 07:00.366 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And they're like, "Who's gonna manage them? 07:01.366 --> 07:02.933 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% "What are we gonna do?" 07:03.033 --> 07:07.900 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% So they felt, we have a group of African Americans here. 07:08.000 --> 07:09.833 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% They're in a strange land. 07:09.933 --> 07:11.233 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% We don't want them to turn 07:11.333 --> 07:13.733 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% to other things that might distract them. 07:13.833 --> 07:17.566 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% They brought in another black man from South Carolina, 07:17.666 --> 07:21.666 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% J.D. Stevenson, and he was like their superintendent 07:21.766 --> 07:25.133 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% of the Edgewater Flats and the Edgewater YMCA. 07:25.233 --> 07:29.100 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% His job was to find recreational activities for them, 07:29.200 --> 07:30.566 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and kinda like a chaperone. 07:30.666 --> 07:34.166 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Keep his eye on 'em, provide opportunities for them, 07:34.266 --> 07:35.833 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and just as they say, manage them. 07:35.933 --> 07:37.800 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% Can you manage this population? 07:37.900 --> 07:39.166 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% They're doing work for us. 07:39.266 --> 07:40.366 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% We're appreciating it, 07:40.466 --> 07:42.333 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% but we wanna make sure they're managed. 07:42.433 --> 07:46.066 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% So in comes J.D. Stevenson from South Carolina. 07:47.500 --> 07:51.466 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% The Great Migration hit a lot of the cities in the North, 07:51.566 --> 07:54.466 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% from Chicago to Milwaukee. 07:54.566 --> 07:58.200 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% Lot of families stopped just short of Wisconsin in Chicago. 07:58.300 --> 08:00.600 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Some went over to Milwaukee area. 08:00.700 --> 08:04.266 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% But Beloit was situated in an ideal location 08:04.366 --> 08:07.066 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% on a border of Illinois and Wisconsin, 08:07.166 --> 08:09.700 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% so they could still get reach of their family members 08:09.800 --> 08:11.733 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% that might be in Chicago. 08:11.833 --> 08:14.666 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% The Great Migration in Beloit has been mentioned 08:14.766 --> 08:19.066 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% plenty of times on national websites, TV shows, 08:19.166 --> 08:21.433 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and even in the greatest, latest publication, 08:21.533 --> 08:24.900 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% The Warmth of Other 08:21.533 --> 08:24.900 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Su  08:21.533 --> 08:24.900 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% nsby Isabel Wilkerson, 08:25.000 --> 08:28.266 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% an author who I'm pleased to say I've met personally. 08:28.366 --> 08:30.966 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And in her book, there's a story 08:31.066 --> 08:34.000 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% about my maternal grandmother, Callie Williams, 08:34.100 --> 08:35.600 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% so that touches my heart, too. 08:35.700 --> 08:39.000 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% So as you can see, this really plays an important role 08:39.100 --> 08:42.100 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% in my life, and why I'm here, and how I got here, 08:42.200 --> 08:44.966 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% besides the fact that my grandfather came north 08:45.066 --> 08:50.066 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% from Mississippi as well, to work at the Iron Works foundry. 08:51.066 --> 08:53.500 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Once we start populating this area and community, 08:53.600 --> 08:56.066 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% we're working hard, we're helping people out, 08:56.166 --> 09:00.033 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% there became a shortage of housing, housing inequalities. 09:00.133 --> 09:02.433 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% Blacks were not allowed to purchase homes 09:02.533 --> 09:04.433 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% in certain areas of the city. 09:04.533 --> 09:06.266 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Again, they were trying to corral us 09:06.366 --> 09:09.566 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% in just one area of the city. 09:09.666 --> 09:13.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% There was the tracks down by what's called Turtle Creek, 09:14.033 --> 09:16.000 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Short Street, Keep Street. 09:16.100 --> 09:19.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And then there were the flats over on the west side of town 09:19.266 --> 09:22.033 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% with Shore Drive, that neighborhood. 09:22.133 --> 09:24.066 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% Realtors and financial institutions 09:24.166 --> 09:26.066 align:left position:25% line:89% size:65% would not rent, sell, 09:26.166 --> 09:28.233 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% or finance property to blacks 09:28.333 --> 09:32.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% unless there were already blacks living in that area. 09:32.433 --> 09:37.433 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% There was even ads that promoted Caucasian only. 09:38.433 --> 09:41.266 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I remember seeing an ad as I was researching, 09:41.366 --> 09:45.366 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% talking about house for sale in the Todd School District, 09:45.466 --> 09:47.900 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% and it said, "Caucasian only." 09:49.333 --> 09:52.600 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% Two places would give loans to African Americans in Beloit, 09:52.700 --> 09:54.433 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% the Beloit State Bank 09:54.533 --> 09:57.700 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% and the Beloit Building & Loan Association. 09:57.800 --> 09:59.833 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And do you know that black females, 09:59.933 --> 10:03.300 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% whether married or not, income was not included 10:03.400 --> 10:05.666 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% in their husband's housing application. 10:05.766 --> 10:07.566 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Even if she was the breadwinner, 10:07.666 --> 10:09.433 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% making more than her husband, 10:09.533 --> 10:12.200 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% they didn't count her income at all. 10:12.300 --> 10:16.800 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% But yet, a white female, they would count 50% of her income 10:16.900 --> 10:20.266 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% towards their income to help purchase a home. 10:20.366 --> 10:23.866 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% So in some of the clauses, you would see on the deeds, 10:23.966 --> 10:25.633 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Caucasians or whites only, 10:25.733 --> 10:29.433 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% or only two black families per six-block radius, 10:29.533 --> 10:30.833 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% things of that nature. 10:30.933 --> 10:32.766 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And this is all real talk, people. 10:36.466 --> 10:38.666 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% Some things that are definitely for certain 10:38.766 --> 10:43.533 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% with African Americans and has been in our pipeline, 10:43.633 --> 10:45.966 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% couple things you could bet on for sure, 10:46.066 --> 10:49.900 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% education, the black church, and a strong faith. 10:50.000 --> 10:55.000 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And education, we feel was the root to success. 10:56.100 --> 10:58.733 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Even if our foreparents, our grandparents, 10:58.833 --> 11:00.900 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% if they didn't even have education, 11:01.000 --> 11:04.033 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% they knew to let us know and tell people to know 11:04.133 --> 11:07.466 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% that you need an education, some form of fashion. 11:07.566 --> 11:10.500 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Please make sure you get your education. 11:10.600 --> 11:13.133 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% More than 130 years ago, 11:13.233 --> 11:17.066 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% siblings Grace and Laurence Ousley grew up 11:17.166 --> 11:19.633 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% at 731 Church Street. 11:19.733 --> 11:22.166 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% 30 years even before the migration, 11:22.266 --> 11:26.066 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70%   the only black household located near Beloit College. 11:26.166 --> 11:28.600 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Grace Ousley was the first black 11:28.700 --> 11:30.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% to graduate from Beloit High School. 11:31.066 --> 11:32.433 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% Notice, this was before it even 11:32.533 --> 11:34.666 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% became Beloit Memorial High School. 11:34.766 --> 11:36.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% It was called Beloit High School. 11:36.966 --> 11:39.333 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% She was also the first black female 11:39.433 --> 11:43.100 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% to graduate from Beloit College in 1904. 11:44.266 --> 11:46.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Along with Grace was her brother Laurence, 11:46.800 --> 11:50.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% who attended Beloit College as well for three years. 11:50.100 --> 11:52.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% He was in a program called the Beloit Academy. 11:53.000 --> 11:55.500 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% The Beloit Academy was part of Beloit College, 11:55.600 --> 11:58.300 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% and what it consisted of 11:58.400 --> 12:01.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% was almost like a pre-college program. 12:01.800 --> 12:04.733 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% This is where they kinda watched you, monitored you, 12:04.833 --> 12:06.700 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% to kinda help you become successful 12:06.800 --> 12:08.166 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and complete your schooling. 12:08.266 --> 12:11.666 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% He went three years, and was just one year shy of graduating 12:11.766 --> 12:13.833 align:left position:30% line:71% size:60% when duty called for him to work. 12:13.933 --> 12:16.266 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% Because at that time, he had to help his mom, 12:16.366 --> 12:17.866 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% had to help his siblings. 12:17.966 --> 12:20.300 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% But he encouraged Grace to go forward 12:20.400 --> 12:23.366 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and complete her education and supported her. 12:23.466 --> 12:24.866 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% But that's what we did. 12:24.966 --> 12:27.933 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% And if anything can be brought out of these Ousley family, 12:28.033 --> 12:30.466 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% one thing he did for sure upon dying, 12:30.566 --> 12:34.466 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% he donated $10,000 to be given to someone 12:34.566 --> 12:37.466 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% to help people of color attend Beloit College. 12:37.566 --> 12:39.833 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% He believed in reaching back, giving back, 12:39.933 --> 12:41.600 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% and that's exactly what we're trying to do 12:41.700 --> 12:43.700 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and mention to our younger people today. 12:43.800 --> 12:45.366 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% It's all about giving back. 12:45.466 --> 12:49.533 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% If he was even on his lowest times, willing to put up 12:49.633 --> 12:52.766 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and work hard to make sure they have money to give back, 12:52.866 --> 12:56.066 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% that's what we need to continue 12:56.166 --> 12:59.166 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% to instill in our young people today. 12:59.266 --> 13:01.466 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% He set aside that for people of color 13:01.566 --> 13:03.533 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% that would need help with school. 13:03.633 --> 13:07.866 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% What he did was work as a janitor at guess where? 13:07.966 --> 13:09.433 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% The Beloit Public Library. 13:09.533 --> 13:10.933 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% It was the Beloit Library. 13:11.033 --> 13:14.566 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% So coincidence that all of this is coming full circle. 13:14.666 --> 13:16.600 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Here, we're speaking about this tonight. 13:16.700 --> 13:17.766 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% Here's where he lasted. 13:17.866 --> 13:19.900 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% He worked there 30-plus years 13:20.000 --> 13:22.900 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% at the Beloit Library as a janitor. 13:24.566 --> 13:28.000 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% This story of perseverance lives through academic programs 13:28.100 --> 13:30.933 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and physical spaces at Beloit College. 13:31.033 --> 13:35.866 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% There's residence scholars programs. 13:35.966 --> 13:37.666 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% They're even considering naming some rooms 13:37.766 --> 13:39.200 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% in the new Powerhouse. 13:39.300 --> 13:42.800 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% There's a conference room named after Grace Ousley 13:42.900 --> 13:45.933 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% in South College, Beloit College campus. 13:46.033 --> 13:49.533 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Their story is definitely a story of perseverance. 13:49.633 --> 13:52.966 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Then again, I talked about neighborhoods, 13:53.066 --> 13:55.633 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% and the restructuring, and how they tried to corral people 13:55.733 --> 13:59.766 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% to be just almost segregated to one portion of the city. 13:59.866 --> 14:01.733 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% There was only one school 14:01.833 --> 14:04.400 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% that it was 95% African American, 14:04.500 --> 14:06.800 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70%   and that school was Strong School. 14:06.900 --> 14:10.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Strong School was located where Rock County Christian 14:10.266 --> 14:13.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% is located now, right across from Horace White Park. 14:13.333 --> 14:16.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So again, remember I was talking about Turtle Creek, 14:16.333 --> 14:18.133 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% if any of you are familiar with that. 14:18.233 --> 14:20.666 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% That area, Keep Street, all in that area 14:20.766 --> 14:23.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% is where majority of African-American families lived. 14:23.833 --> 14:27.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So the school that they could only go to was Strong School. 14:27.333 --> 14:32.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% But they weren't sought after like at other schools. 14:32.300 --> 14:35.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% They were put in a portable, 14:35.600 --> 14:40.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% like a portable trailer type of deal, outside of the school, 14:41.233 --> 14:42.900 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% which was seen as a premeditated tool 14:43.000 --> 14:45.466 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% to segregate black students from the white students. 14:45.566 --> 14:47.966 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% All of the educators were white, 14:48.066 --> 14:49.866 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% which led to students of color 14:49.966 --> 14:52.300 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% often being overlooked and ignored. 14:52.400 --> 14:56.333 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% The school closed in 1964, it's no longer there. 14:57.566 --> 14:59.933 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Another facet of education, 15:01.733 --> 15:03.966 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% you might see a familiar face in the room. 15:04.066 --> 15:05.500 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% [audience laughing] 15:05.600 --> 15:06.900 align:left position:30% line:71% size:60% Barbara Hickman, 15:07.000 --> 15:09.366 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% she was the first African-American principal 15:09.466 --> 15:12.833 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% for the School District of Beloit in 1975. 15:12.933 --> 15:15.800 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5%   Prior to that, she was the first African-American female 15:15.900 --> 15:18.666 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% to graduate from UW-Stevens Point. 15:18.766 --> 15:23.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Now fast forward, I mean rewind from 1975 to 1971, 15:23.766 --> 15:26.266 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% a star was born, her daughter, Linda Fair. 15:26.366 --> 15:27.533 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% [audience laughing] 15:27.633 --> 15:31.400 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% So again, gotta put my mom in it, sorry, guys. 15:31.500 --> 15:33.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% She's been with the district still. 15:33.166 --> 15:35.133 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Her only employer ever in her life 15:35.233 --> 15:37.366 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% is the School District of Beloit. 15:37.466 --> 15:39.233 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% I've been through 1,000 jobs. 15:39.333 --> 15:42.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% [audience laughing] But that's her only employer. 15:42.500 --> 15:43.633 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% She still works for them. 15:43.733 --> 15:45.066 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% She's retired three times, 15:45.166 --> 15:46.966 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% and she's approaching 60 years 15:47.066 --> 15:48.866 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% with the School District of Beloit. 15:48.966 --> 15:52.366 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% She has served in every building in the school district 15:52.466 --> 15:55.266 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% in some capacity, from Title I director 15:55.366 --> 15:58.733 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% to principal, administrator, mentor. 15:58.833 --> 16:01.266 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% She's had her foot in every building. 16:01.366 --> 16:03.666 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% There's one school in Beloit that's paid homage 16:03.766 --> 16:06.766 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% to a lot of African Americans here in our community, 16:06.866 --> 16:08.766 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and that's the newest intermediate school, 16:08.866 --> 16:12.266 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Fruzen Intermediate School, located on Milwaukee Road. 16:12.366 --> 16:17.266 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% In that building, there is the Grace Ousley Library, 16:17.366 --> 16:20.400 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% there's the Jim Caldwell Gymnasium, 16:20.500 --> 16:22.866 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% and the Barbara Hickman Fine Arts Center. 16:27.433 --> 16:30.900 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% As stated earlier, the foundation for African Americans 16:31.000 --> 16:32.833 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% has always been the church. 16:32.933 --> 16:35.966 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% When we didn't know anything else or what else to do, 16:36.066 --> 16:37.566 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% we knew to fall down on our knees, 16:37.666 --> 16:39.566 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and pray, and get to church. 16:39.666 --> 16:41.700 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% That was our saving grace. 16:41.800 --> 16:44.600 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% That's what led us through all these years. 16:44.700 --> 16:46.700 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% That's what has helped us persevere. 16:46.800 --> 16:48.800 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% And that's what continues to be 16:48.900 --> 16:52.366 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% one of the greatest things about us, is the black church. 16:53.733 --> 16:56.133 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Church has served as a religious and social center. 16:56.233 --> 16:59.300 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80%   Especially, think about all the people that transported north 16:59.400 --> 17:04.366 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% from Houston, Pontotoc, some of those cities, 17:04.466 --> 17:06.833 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% they didn't really know much about the area, 17:06.933 --> 17:09.400 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% so their hangout was the church. 17:09.500 --> 17:10.766 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% They had Bible meetings. 17:10.866 --> 17:12.600 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% You had choir rehearsals. 17:12.700 --> 17:14.900 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% It was just their social gathering place. 17:15.000 --> 17:17.466 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% They rely heavily on their religious beliefs. 17:17.566 --> 17:20.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% It stood as a refuge, as a safe haven. 17:20.800 --> 17:23.866 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% They were firm believers in the power of prayer and God, 17:23.966 --> 17:26.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% which has gotten us through a lot. 17:26.166 --> 17:28.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Throughout time, the black church stood 17:28.100 --> 17:30.366 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% as a stronghold of the black community, 17:30.466 --> 17:34.100 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% fighting for equality and economic self-sufficiency. 17:35.266 --> 17:38.600 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Now as you know, back in the days, 17:38.700 --> 17:41.566 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% they tried to strip that even away from us. 17:41.666 --> 17:45.633 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% They didn't want us to sing the Negro spirituals. 17:45.733 --> 17:48.100 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% They didn't want us to do any of those things. 17:48.200 --> 17:50.500 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And as slaves, that's when they began 17:50.600 --> 17:54.066 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% to come up with beats, and drums, and different things 17:54.166 --> 17:56.033 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% to still get their message across 17:56.133 --> 17:58.400 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% so that no one would understand what they were saying, 17:58.500 --> 18:02.066 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% but they knew, even if it was just humming, humming, 18:02.166 --> 18:03.333 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and that's how you know, 18:03.433 --> 18:05.266 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% "I Know the Lord, He Heard My Cry," 18:05.366 --> 18:07.666 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% if you're familiar with that Negro spiritual. 18:07.766 --> 18:10.833 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% That's one of the things that, that's what they were saying, 18:10.933 --> 18:13.033 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% "I know the Lord, he heard my cry. 18:13.133 --> 18:16.100 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% "If nothing else, he's gonna make a way for us. 18:16.200 --> 18:17.600 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% "He's gonna bring us out of here. 18:17.700 --> 18:19.800 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% "I know the Lord, he heard my cry." 18:20.800 --> 18:22.300 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Faith has kept us going. 18:22.400 --> 18:24.933 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Faith will continue to keep us going. 18:25.033 --> 18:29.633 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% The oldest black church in Beloit is Bethel AME. 18:29.733 --> 18:33.966 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Bethel AME is over 135 years old. 18:34.066 --> 18:37.633 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% The founder of the Methodist church was Richard Allen. 18:39.000 --> 18:42.166 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Following the Methodist church was the Baptist faith. 18:42.266 --> 18:45.800 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% The Baptist faith formed Emmanuel Baptist Church 18:45.900 --> 18:50.766 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% April 17th, 1917, to meet the spiritual needs 18:50.866 --> 18:52.266 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% of the Great Migration. 18:52.366 --> 18:54.100 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% 'Cause now you have all these people here. 18:54.200 --> 18:56.466 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% We can't all be in one denomination. 18:56.566 --> 18:58.300 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% We can't all be in one church. 18:58.400 --> 19:01.233 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% So they began to spread off, and break off, 19:01.333 --> 19:04.766 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and venture off, and create their own type of church. 19:04.866 --> 19:07.766 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% So later, a few months after Emmanuel, 19:07.866 --> 19:09.600 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% came New Zion Baptist Church. 19:09.700 --> 19:12.200 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And both of these churches just celebrated 19:12.300 --> 19:15.633 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% their 100th-year anniversary about a year ago. 19:15.733 --> 19:18.133 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% They are still pillars in our community. 19:18.233 --> 19:21.400 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Their pastors, the Dr. Reverend Floyd Prude, Jr., 19:21.500 --> 19:22.500 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% may he rest in peace. 19:22.600 --> 19:24.700 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% They led their congregation to continue 19:24.800 --> 19:26.466 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% to have a stronghold on their faith. 19:26.566 --> 19:29.733 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Reverend U.S. Pride from New Zion Baptist Church, 19:29.833 --> 19:33.400 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% there's U.S. Pride Park on Shore Drive named after him. 19:33.500 --> 19:37.233 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Reverend D.W. Johnson, who was instrumental as well 19:37.333 --> 19:42.233 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% with the Edgewater YMCA and the Fairbanks Flats, 19:42.333 --> 19:46.100 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% and he was helping J.D. Stevenson keep control 19:46.200 --> 19:50.333 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% of the migrants that came up from the South. 19:50.433 --> 19:53.833 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% So it's really been that teamwork approach 19:53.933 --> 19:56.033 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% with the black church and the community. 19:56.133 --> 19:59.866 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Even now when all else fails, you turn to the black church 19:59.966 --> 20:01.133 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% when things aren't going right. 20:01.233 --> 20:03.233 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Your spirituality is what's leading 20:03.333 --> 20:05.166 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% and helping you along the way. 20:05.266 --> 20:07.333 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% I can just keep remembering as I'm speaking 20:07.433 --> 20:11.100 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% is another Negro spiritual that says, 20:11.200 --> 20:13.766 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% "If it hadn't been for the Lord on my side, 20:13.866 --> 20:15.200 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% "where would I be?" 20:15.300 --> 20:17.700 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% This is what kept our people going. 20:17.800 --> 20:19.733 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% This is why I'm here to talk to you tonight, 20:19.833 --> 20:22.233 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% because I know someone believed and prayed for me 20:22.333 --> 20:23.633 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and had that faith. 20:27.500 --> 20:29.566 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Employment opportunities. 20:29.666 --> 20:33.333 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Of course, the big houses were Fairbanks Morse, 20:33.433 --> 20:36.033 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% Beloit Iron Works, the foundry. 20:36.133 --> 20:37.733 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% The people that came up from the South, 20:37.833 --> 20:39.233 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% they thought they were in heaven, 20:39.333 --> 20:42.000 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% but they were still faced with some of the segregation. 20:42.100 --> 20:43.833 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% They still were getting overlooked 20:43.933 --> 20:46.366 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% for positions within the company. 20:46.466 --> 20:47.800 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% They still were getting overlooked 20:47.900 --> 20:50.966 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% to become superintendents, foremans, and all those things. 20:51.066 --> 20:52.600 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% All they wanted was their labor, 20:52.700 --> 20:54.866 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% but at the time, that's what they needed, 20:54.966 --> 20:56.733 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and they would bring back... 20:56.833 --> 20:57.933 align:left position:30% line:71% size:60% Thank you. 20:58.033 --> 21:01.933 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% They would bring back their families. 21:02.033 --> 21:03.633 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% If they weren't bringing their families back, 21:03.733 --> 21:05.533 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% they were sending money home. 21:05.633 --> 21:08.066 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% Sending money south, preparing. 21:08.166 --> 21:09.500 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Here, when they were here, 21:09.600 --> 21:12.866 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% you had tons of family members staying under one roof. 21:12.966 --> 21:16.566 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Just till we make it, till we get on our own feet, 21:16.666 --> 21:18.400 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% they stayed under one roof. 21:18.500 --> 21:22.733 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% You had grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, everyone, 21:22.833 --> 21:24.266 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% 'cause that's all about family. 21:24.366 --> 21:27.066 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% They were reaching back and taking care of each other. 21:27.166 --> 21:30.300 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Some employment opportunities that we had, 21:30.400 --> 21:32.800 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% most of the black males worked at Fairbanks 21:32.900 --> 21:34.733 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% or Beloit Iron Works. 21:34.833 --> 21:37.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Beloit Iron Works changed from Beloit Iron Works 21:37.100 --> 21:40.200 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% to the corporation, Beloit Corporation. 21:41.400 --> 21:45.666 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Black females could work as maids or prostitutes. 21:45.766 --> 21:47.066 align:left position:32.5% line:89% size:57.5% It's a reality. 21:48.133 --> 21:49.766 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% They were doing what they had to do, 21:49.866 --> 21:52.000 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% but that was something that they did. 21:52.100 --> 21:55.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% The City of Beloit didn't hire any blacks at all. 21:55.733 --> 21:59.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And there were no retail or office jobs available. 21:59.433 --> 22:02.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% A lot of times, the dad or the husband 22:02.266 --> 22:06.233 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% will work the foundry 12, 14 hours a day, 22:06.333 --> 22:07.500 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% come home to a meal. 22:07.600 --> 22:10.166 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% And all the mom did was take care of the house, 22:10.266 --> 22:12.466 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% get the food together, take care of the kids, 22:12.566 --> 22:13.666 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% make sure they get there. 22:13.766 --> 22:16.000 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And that's why they kept instilling in them, 22:16.100 --> 22:20.766 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% education, education, education, get your education. 22:20.866 --> 22:22.700 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And that was their ticket. 22:22.800 --> 22:24.333 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% They figured if you get your education, 22:24.433 --> 22:26.466 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% this'll be your ticket out of here. 22:26.566 --> 22:31.100 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% You saw your dad coming in with the smut 22:31.200 --> 22:33.766 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and all of that from the foundry all over them. 22:33.866 --> 22:36.966 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% You saw later in life that some people got cancer, 22:37.066 --> 22:40.866 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% based off of inhaling all of those chemicals from that. 22:40.966 --> 22:43.866 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% But they did what they had to do. 22:43.966 --> 22:46.900 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% They did that to satisfy their family needs. 22:47.000 --> 22:49.000 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% They had to do what they had to do. 22:49.100 --> 22:51.133 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% We have been a people of hard work 22:51.233 --> 22:54.100 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% and dedication for a lifetime. 22:54.200 --> 22:55.566 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% That's what we do. 22:55.666 --> 22:58.066 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% You do what you gotta do to make it for your family. 22:59.066 --> 23:00.300 align:left position:30% line:71% size:60% Healthcare. 23:01.933 --> 23:05.033 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% Until 1928, there were three Beloit hospitals. 23:05.133 --> 23:08.066 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Now we only have the one, Beloit Memorial Hospital. 23:09.533 --> 23:14.433 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Blacks were able to get wards or semiprivate rooms. 23:14.533 --> 23:17.100 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% 1929, Beloit Municipal Hospital, 23:17.200 --> 23:21.600 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% which was located over on Olympian Boulevard, 23:21.700 --> 23:24.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% known as Hospital Hill for the sledders in the place, 23:24.833 --> 23:29.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% they were one of the-- opened a segregated hospital, 23:29.200 --> 23:33.500 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and no blacks could have wards there at all. 23:33.600 --> 23:35.866 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% There was a doctor by the name of Dr. Evans, 23:35.966 --> 23:38.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and he would see patients only on Sundays. 23:38.933 --> 23:40.833 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So if you were sick or needed to be seen, 23:40.933 --> 23:43.000 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% you had to wait till Sunday. 23:43.100 --> 23:47.800 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Dr. William Marshall was the first black doctor in the city. 23:47.900 --> 23:50.866 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And Alta Gordon was the first black nurse 23:50.966 --> 23:54.366 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% at Beloit Municipal Hospital, at the old hospital. 23:55.466 --> 23:57.466 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Then you fast forward to the '90s, 23:57.566 --> 23:59.533 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% and we had Dr. Cheryl Peterson 23:59.633 --> 24:01.666 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% become the first female doctor. 24:01.766 --> 24:04.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% She worked for Beloit Health System in the early '90s. 24:04.933 --> 24:07.233 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And she was also the first Beloit doctor 24:07.333 --> 24:09.933 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% to do the Norplant contraception implant. 24:11.300 --> 24:14.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Along with some of the struggles with trying to satisfy 24:14.500 --> 24:17.733 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and fill the need of recreation, 24:18.833 --> 24:21.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% families started turning to drugs, alcohol, 24:22.066 --> 24:24.833 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% anything to just kinda keep going. 24:24.933 --> 24:27.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And it became an epidemic definitely in the '80s 24:28.033 --> 24:30.366 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% with crack taking over the scene. 24:30.466 --> 24:32.566 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And Mrs. Mardella Shipp, 24:32.666 --> 24:37.566 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% she began what's called Beloit Inner City Council in 1984. 24:37.666 --> 24:39.633 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% It was a substance abuse center 24:39.733 --> 24:41.666 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% for those families who needed to come in 24:41.766 --> 24:45.866 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and have counseling, receive some education about it, 24:45.966 --> 24:47.033 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and just to help. 24:47.133 --> 24:48.533 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% It was called Beloit Inner City, 24:48.633 --> 24:50.633 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and it helped reach out to others. 24:50.733 --> 24:54.100 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And it was like a sliding paying scale, sliding fee scale, 24:54.200 --> 24:56.166 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% no real money if you had insurance. 24:56.266 --> 24:59.566 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% But she was just there to work with our families, 24:59.666 --> 25:02.500 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% so they would know they had a place to go for refuge 25:02.600 --> 25:04.266 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% or to get the help they needed. 25:11.766 --> 25:14.100 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Beloit black history firsts. 25:14.200 --> 25:19.033 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% We have tons of black history firsts that we could mention. 25:20.033 --> 25:21.800 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% One I'm gonna share, too, 25:21.900 --> 25:24.000 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% this wasn't planned, ladies and gentlemen, 25:24.100 --> 25:28.033 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% but Walter Knight who's in our room as well, 25:28.133 --> 25:31.933 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% he was the first city councilor in 1976, 25:32.033 --> 25:34.633 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% the first African-American city council member, 25:34.733 --> 25:37.266 align:left position:30% line:71% size:60% elected in 1976. 25:37.366 --> 25:40.333 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And besides that, he also ran the union 25:40.433 --> 25:43.300 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% at Fairbanks Morse for over 25 years. 25:43.400 --> 25:46.300 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Then he was the loan executive director 25:46.400 --> 25:48.433 align:left position:30% line:71% size:60% of what's called Rock County OIC, 25:48.533 --> 25:50.900 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Opportunities Industrialization Center, 25:51.000 --> 25:53.333 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% which was a on-the-job training center 25:54.500 --> 25:57.200 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% which helped with education, GED, 25:57.300 --> 26:00.733 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% a trade, construction, all of those things. 26:00.833 --> 26:04.900 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Now fast forward to 2019, two or three days ago, 26:05.000 --> 26:09.566 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% they just dedicated the Portland Avenue Bridge, Highway 213, 26:09.666 --> 26:10.933 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% in honor and remembrance-- 26:11.033 --> 26:13.200 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% in honor of Mr. Walter Knight. 26:13.300 --> 26:16.100 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% It's now called the Walter Knight Memorial Bridge. 26:16.200 --> 26:17.866 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% So I believe in giving people credit 26:17.966 --> 26:19.666 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% [audience applauding] where credit is due. 26:22.366 --> 26:24.033 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Stand up, Mr. Knight. 26:24.133 --> 26:26.600 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% [audience laughing] 26:27.600 --> 26:30.400 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% [audience applauding] 26:31.633 --> 26:32.966 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% As some of the older people say, 26:33.066 --> 26:35.833 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% "Give me my flowers while I can yet smell them 26:35.933 --> 26:37.366 align:left position:32.5% line:71% size:57.5% and see them," 26:37.466 --> 26:39.100 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% so we're giving you your kudos. 26:39.200 --> 26:42.700 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% But again, he paved the way for so many of us 26:42.800 --> 26:44.666 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% to be able to do what we're doing. 26:44.766 --> 26:46.566 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And he was strictly a politician, 26:46.666 --> 26:49.200 align:left position:30% line:71% size:60% kept a game face on all the time. 26:49.300 --> 26:51.366 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% As you noticed, he still has one on. 26:51.466 --> 26:54.533 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And he's shy and very humble, so we appreciate you. 26:54.633 --> 26:59.633 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% Then there was Dr. Rosa Smith, superintendent of schools. 27:00.866 --> 27:02.766 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% She was the first African-American superintendent 27:02.866 --> 27:04.666 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% for the School District of Beloit. 27:04.766 --> 27:07.833 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% Clarence Bolton was our first mail carrier. 27:07.933 --> 27:11.500 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5%   And his wife, Carolyn Bolton, was the first councilor 27:11.600 --> 27:13.500 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% for the School District of Beloit. 27:13.600 --> 27:17.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% There's Diane Henry, she was the first city clerk 27:17.266 --> 27:20.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% back in the '70s when they finally started to hire blacks. 27:20.500 --> 27:22.600 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% She was hired as the city clerk. 27:22.700 --> 27:25.333 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Otha Williams, school psychologist, 27:25.433 --> 27:27.300 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% still works for the School District of Beloit. 27:27.400 --> 27:29.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Some of you may just know him from Otha's Ribs. 27:29.866 --> 27:31.566 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% That's his part-time job. [laughing] 27:31.666 --> 27:34.533 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% His real profession is school psychologist. 27:34.633 --> 27:36.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And Mr. Bob Gilliam, the fire chief. 27:36.800 --> 27:39.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% He was the first African-American fire chief 27:39.133 --> 27:40.466 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% for the City of Beloit. 27:40.566 --> 27:43.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And Edie Caldwell, the first female police officer, 27:43.800 --> 27:46.100 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% she was hired in 1977. 27:46.200 --> 27:48.066 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% And then there's Johnny Watts. 27:48.166 --> 27:49.766 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% He was a basketball player, 27:49.866 --> 27:52.833 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% and the first African American 27:52.933 --> 27:56.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% to play in the state tournament. 27:57.633 --> 28:00.233 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Tons of other people have paved the way 28:00.333 --> 28:02.266 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and done many things. 28:02.366 --> 28:05.666 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% And it's all, you know, very impressive. 28:05.766 --> 28:08.033 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And at the time when they were doing these things, 28:08.133 --> 28:10.966 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% they weren't doing it so that I could stand here in 2019 28:11.066 --> 28:12.500 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and shout their names out. 28:12.600 --> 28:14.533 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% They did it because it was in their heart. 28:14.633 --> 28:15.766 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% It was in their mind. 28:15.866 --> 28:18.233 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% It was embedded into them to reach out, 28:18.333 --> 28:20.433 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% do what you gotta do, take care of your family, 28:20.533 --> 28:24.466 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and help leave a legacy for some others to follow. 28:25.900 --> 28:30.833 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Now we must never forget, "Sometimes it is impossible 28:31.833 --> 28:33.200 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% "to know where you are headed 28:33.300 --> 28:35.966 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% "without reflecting on where you came from. 28:36.066 --> 28:38.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% "Understanding your heritage, your roots, 28:38.966 --> 28:41.466 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% "and your ancestry is an important part 28:41.566 --> 28:44.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% "of carving out your future." 28:44.233 --> 28:47.100 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% And nevertheless, I couldn't say it louder, 28:47.200 --> 28:50.300 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% I'm from Beloit and couldn't be prouder. 28:50.400 --> 28:51.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Thank you. [audience chuckling] 28:51.966 --> 28:54.966 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% [audience applauding] 29:01.433 --> 29:05.233 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Now if we have any questions, comments, cares, concerns? 29:07.366 --> 29:08.800 align:left position:30% line:71% size:60% Yes, Terese? 29:08.900 --> 29:12.466 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% - Terese: Can you just share your interest in this topic? 29:12.566 --> 29:16.433 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% Because I'm aware that you do this every year 29:16.533 --> 29:18.366 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% during Black History Month. 29:18.466 --> 29:20.733 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% But I've always been amazed at here 29:20.833 --> 29:22.700 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and how you pull together this info. 29:23.933 --> 29:25.833 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% - Yeah, some people say, "Are you a history buff?" 29:25.933 --> 29:28.200 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Most recently, I became into that. 29:28.300 --> 29:29.700 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% I think the older you get, 29:29.800 --> 29:32.166 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% you find your interests lead you a different path. 29:32.266 --> 29:37.166 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And when Black History Month came 2017, I think it was, 29:37.266 --> 29:41.233 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% or 2018, I'm getting older, I'm losing track on that, 29:41.333 --> 29:44.833 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% so I just thought, first of all, we don't teach 29:44.933 --> 29:47.766 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% this type of stuff in a school, in a classroom. 29:47.866 --> 29:50.366 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% You're not gonna find this in a book 29:50.466 --> 29:52.433 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% that you're gonna go home and do a report on. 29:52.533 --> 29:54.266 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% Different schools have different approaches 29:54.366 --> 29:55.500 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% for Black History Month. 29:55.600 --> 29:58.200 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% And a lot of our young people have no idea. 29:58.300 --> 29:59.666 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% They think life is grand. 29:59.766 --> 30:03.233 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% I got a iPhone, I got a iPad, I got the PlayStation. 30:03.333 --> 30:04.433 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% This just all came. 30:04.533 --> 30:06.366 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% I didn't have to do anything for it. 30:06.466 --> 30:08.633 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% So I just think that they need to know 30:08.733 --> 30:10.666 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and reflect on where we've been. 30:10.766 --> 30:12.200 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And it generated a lot of interest. 30:12.300 --> 30:16.266 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% So I said, "Each day, I'm gonna share a fact." 30:16.366 --> 30:17.633 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% As I mentioned before, 30:17.733 --> 30:21.033 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% I was born and raised here my entire life, 30:21.133 --> 30:23.666 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% so I've seen the city transition 30:23.766 --> 30:26.066 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% from back in the '70s to now. 30:26.166 --> 30:27.600 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% I know what I went through. 30:27.700 --> 30:32.533 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% I sat around, listened to my mom talk, listened to others. 30:32.633 --> 30:35.000 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% I've been dragged to meetings my whole life 30:35.100 --> 30:36.266 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% [audience laughing] sitting in the back 30:36.366 --> 30:39.033 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% of a room listening, finding out about issues 30:39.133 --> 30:40.266 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% that they were trying to fought, 30:40.366 --> 30:43.066 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% from the Black Teacher Caucus to the NAACP, 30:43.166 --> 30:45.400 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% to the Greater Beloit Minority Coalition 30:45.500 --> 30:47.000 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% to the OIC Auxiliary. 30:47.100 --> 30:49.466 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% So I'm there just taking in everything. 30:49.566 --> 30:51.200 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% But who knew that I would retain it? 30:51.300 --> 30:53.266 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% I did retain it, [audience laughing] 30:53.366 --> 30:54.700 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and it became an interest to me. 30:54.800 --> 30:57.400 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% So I said couple years ago, "Each day, 30:58.433 --> 31:00.033 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% "I wanna share something about Beloit." 31:00.133 --> 31:03.233 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Because you hear so often Harriet Tubman, 31:03.333 --> 31:04.966 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 31:05.066 --> 31:07.000 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% You might hear Frederick Douglass. 31:07.100 --> 31:09.933 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% You might hear Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks. 31:10.033 --> 31:14.633 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% You hear the same five over and over and over again, 31:14.733 --> 31:17.466 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% but there's things, gems in your own backyard 31:17.566 --> 31:19.033 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% that you can reflect on 31:19.133 --> 31:21.433 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and know that they've done great things, 31:21.533 --> 31:24.333 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% and the ways they paved for you to be able 31:24.433 --> 31:25.966 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% to do some of the things you do. 31:26.066 --> 31:27.533 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% We have pre-collegiate programs 31:27.633 --> 31:29.500 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% at Beloit College now, Help Yourself. 31:29.600 --> 31:31.533 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% We have students going there, the black student. 31:31.633 --> 31:33.133 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Different things that are going on, 31:33.233 --> 31:35.400 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% but there were people who fought for those rights, 31:35.500 --> 31:37.766 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and I don't think our students knew that, 31:37.866 --> 31:39.100 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% or the young people knew that. 31:39.200 --> 31:41.133 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% So I said, "I'm just gonna toss it out. 31:41.233 --> 31:43.266 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% "Each day, I'ma give a fact." 31:43.366 --> 31:45.833 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% So I started reading, researching, 31:45.933 --> 31:47.966 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% interviewing people, talking to people. 31:48.066 --> 31:51.366 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And then it became just like, you don't even wanna sleep 31:51.466 --> 31:53.166 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% because you just start reading, 31:53.266 --> 31:56.266 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and you just get thirsty for more knowledge and information, 31:56.366 --> 31:58.033 align:left position:30% line:71% size:60% and you're like, "Ooh, ooh, ooh." 31:58.133 --> 32:00.466 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% So it just really became like a bubble. 32:00.566 --> 32:03.266 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% So I did it for the first year, and I was like, 32:03.366 --> 32:05.800 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% "Hmm, I don't know if I could find anything else." 32:05.900 --> 32:09.866 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% I did 28 whole days with a lot of information one year, 32:09.966 --> 32:13.233 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% and came back the next year with it. 32:13.333 --> 32:14.833 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And then to hear the feedback 32:14.933 --> 32:17.166 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% and the positive feedback from our community members 32:17.266 --> 32:19.566 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% from all walks of life, from all colors, 32:19.666 --> 32:20.900 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% and they're sharing it. 32:21.000 --> 32:22.600 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And they're like, "Thank you for this information." 32:22.700 --> 32:23.800 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Because they never knew. 32:23.900 --> 32:25.600 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% 'Cause where would you find out about it? 32:25.700 --> 32:28.733 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% We don't have encyclopedias anymore, [laughing] you can't go 32:28.833 --> 32:30.666 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% unless you maybe google some stuff. 32:30.766 --> 32:35.600 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% So they didn't know where it was and what to do about it, 32:37.166 --> 32:39.266 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% so I just thought that each time, 32:39.366 --> 32:42.100 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% that'll be my giving back to the community. 32:42.200 --> 32:44.633 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% I'm gonna share with you 32:44.733 --> 32:47.866 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% and hope that you pass the torch on, 32:47.966 --> 32:50.100 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% and maybe someone keeps this legacy going. 32:50.200 --> 32:51.633 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% Been approached to write books, 32:51.733 --> 32:55.100 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% which has always been one of my bucket list items, 32:55.200 --> 32:57.000 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% different things of that nature. 32:57.100 --> 33:00.833 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% So I'm hoping that I can just continue 33:00.933 --> 33:04.233 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% to reach this, inspire some, 33:04.333 --> 33:07.400 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% 'cause if we don't teach each other, who else will? 33:07.500 --> 33:09.400 align:left position:30% line:71% size:60% We have to share the information. 33:09.500 --> 33:13.533 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% So again, and it became just that passion, 33:13.633 --> 33:16.333 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% so it just kinda took off like that. 33:16.433 --> 33:17.600 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% And again, like I said, 33:17.700 --> 33:19.433 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% you just get thirsty for more knowledge, 33:19.533 --> 33:23.100 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and then you just read and read, and then you cry some, 33:23.200 --> 33:27.500 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% you laugh some, you smile some, but it's our history, 33:27.600 --> 33:29.866 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and we cannot sweep it under a rug. 33:29.966 --> 33:31.433 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% It needs to be told. 33:33.766 --> 33:34.833 align:left position:40% line:71% size:50% Yes. 33:34.933 --> 33:36.666 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% - Woman: So first, thank you for your commitment 33:36.766 --> 33:38.333 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% to do all the research 'cause I know 33:38.433 --> 33:39.500 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% it's quite a commitment. 33:39.600 --> 33:41.533 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% But for the community at large, what would you say 33:41.633 --> 33:43.333 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% or how you would ask the community at large 33:43.433 --> 33:44.833 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% to help spread this type of message 33:44.933 --> 33:48.033 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and get this information out to the broader community? 33:48.133 --> 33:50.666 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% - And her question was, how can we get this information out 33:50.766 --> 33:52.566 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% to the broader community? 33:52.666 --> 33:57.166 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% I would say, as far as if you're a teacher, 33:57.266 --> 34:00.866 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% or if you're involved in different community groups, 34:00.966 --> 34:04.966 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% invite speakers, read, hold book club meetings, 34:05.066 --> 34:07.166 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% find a topic that you want to research 34:07.266 --> 34:09.133 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and get more in depth on it. 34:09.233 --> 34:11.766 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Bring in people, like I said, we have two living icons 34:11.866 --> 34:14.633 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% in our presence right now that will be more than glad 34:14.733 --> 34:16.833 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% to come talk someday, you know. 34:16.933 --> 34:19.266 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% So just kinda reach back and do that. 34:19.366 --> 34:21.666 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And don't be afraid to ask. 34:21.766 --> 34:24.300 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Again, 'cause it takes teamwork to make the dream work. 34:24.400 --> 34:26.166 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% We all gotta put our heads together. 34:26.266 --> 34:27.900 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% My way may not be the right way. 34:28.000 --> 34:30.066 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Maybe someone else has another idea. 34:30.166 --> 34:31.800 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% But the more we get the information out, 34:31.900 --> 34:34.766 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% maybe it starts with the  34:31.900 --> 34:34.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Da  ily Newsputting in something. 34:34.866 --> 34:36.166 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Maybe again, like I said, 34:36.266 --> 34:38.600 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% it starts with the afterschool program type of deal, 34:38.700 --> 34:39.966 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% a club, whatever. 34:40.066 --> 34:41.866 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% We just gotta come together on it 34:41.966 --> 34:45.833 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and see ways that we can utilize this information. 34:45.933 --> 34:47.266 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% - Woman: So you had 34:47.366 --> 34:50.866 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% the names of two of the towns in Georgia? 34:52.966 --> 34:53.900 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% - In Mississippi. 34:54.000 --> 34:54.900 align:left position:32.5% line:71% size:57.5% - Mississippi. - Mm-hmm. 34:55.000 --> 34:56.133 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% - And I know you said, 34:56.233 --> 34:58.066 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and I know this from other reading I've done, 34:58.166 --> 34:59.433 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% there were four towns. 35:00.766 --> 35:02.433 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% - Pontotoc, Mississippi. 35:02.533 --> 35:06.333 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% These all are cities in the northern part of Mississippi. 35:06.433 --> 35:09.333 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And they used to call Beloit "Mississippi North," 35:09.433 --> 35:11.466 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% because the city was heavily populated. 35:11.566 --> 35:14.533 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Even like right now, there's so much population 35:14.633 --> 35:17.633 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% that derived from the South. 35:17.733 --> 35:21.200 align:left position:25% line:71% size:65% Houston, Mississippi, Pontotoc, Mississippi, 35:21.300 --> 35:24.366 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% New Albany, Mississippi, and West Point. 35:24.466 --> 35:26.233 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% - This is all-- - All in Mississippi. 35:26.333 --> 35:27.433 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% - In all northern part? 35:27.533 --> 35:29.333 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% - Northern part of Mississippi. 35:29.433 --> 35:31.566 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And again, like I said, a lot of times, 35:31.666 --> 35:33.533 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% they did a lot of carpooling, 35:34.700 --> 35:36.500 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% wasn't even cars, but like walking in groups, 35:36.600 --> 35:40.566 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% because they were afraid to be alone by themselves, 35:40.666 --> 35:43.166 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% because what they noticed is that although we're north, 35:43.266 --> 35:44.900 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and although there's no slavery here, 35:45.000 --> 35:48.266 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% there's still that racial tension in the area. 35:48.366 --> 35:51.966 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% So they always wanted to be safe and wanted to be secure. 35:52.066 --> 35:54.500 align:left position:30% line:71% size:60% That's when they worked together. 35:54.600 --> 35:56.766 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% If anything I could take, what I found out 35:56.866 --> 36:00.533 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% is it was more togetherness to me back then. 36:00.633 --> 36:02.133 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% It wasn't so divided. 36:02.233 --> 36:04.900 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Even though we were already divided in the town. 36:05.000 --> 36:07.433 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% You had your pockets here on the east side of town. 36:07.533 --> 36:09.600 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% You had your pockets on the west side of town. 36:09.700 --> 36:12.633 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% They had the two school districts, they were called. 36:14.066 --> 36:17.400 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% Beloit Public Schools 1, which was east side of the river, 36:17.500 --> 36:19.400 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and Beloit Public Schools 2, 36:19.500 --> 36:21.266 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% which was west side of the river. 36:21.366 --> 36:23.100 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% And the superintendent of the school 36:23.200 --> 36:25.766 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% was the president of the school board, 36:25.866 --> 36:28.033 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and their wives were the assistant. 36:28.133 --> 36:30.733 align:left position:32.5% line:71% size:57.5% [all laughing] 36:32.966 --> 36:34.900 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% But like I said, there's tons of stories. 36:35.000 --> 36:38.500 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% There's a lot more that I coulda elaborated on. 36:38.600 --> 36:43.000 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% We could talk about social and recreation clubs. 36:45.300 --> 36:48.433 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Again, blacks weren't allowed in different areas 36:48.533 --> 36:51.233 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% like the Alumni House, which is downtown. 36:51.333 --> 36:53.666 align:left position:25% line:71% size:65% It was called the Pop House back in the day. 36:53.766 --> 36:56.100 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And blacks were not allowed to do that. 36:56.200 --> 36:58.900 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% So that's when they formed their own organizations, 36:59.000 --> 37:02.300 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% their own social groups such as the Women's Culture Club, 37:02.400 --> 37:04.033 align:left position:32.5% line:71% size:57.5% the Quest Club. 37:04.133 --> 37:06.533 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% They formed their own communications 37:06.633 --> 37:08.033 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and ways to dance, 37:08.133 --> 37:09.733 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% and hang out, and create their own. 37:09.833 --> 37:13.733 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Bell's Bar off of Maple, the Socialite Club, 37:13.833 --> 37:16.133 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% Leon Davidson, Davidson Square. 37:16.233 --> 37:19.100 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% And then other pastimes such as bowling. 37:19.200 --> 37:22.566 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% They helped implement the first black bowling league, 37:22.666 --> 37:25.533 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% which it was called the Saturday Night Major League, 37:25.633 --> 37:28.500 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% and they bowled in South Beloit, Illinois. 37:28.600 --> 37:30.266 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% So they made their own way. 37:30.366 --> 37:32.400 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% Sometimes, I don't know if you guys watched 37:32.500 --> 37:34.966 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% the award show the other night, the BET Awards. 37:35.066 --> 37:39.333 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Tyler Perry said something very, very dynamic and profound. 37:39.433 --> 37:42.500 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% He said, "I stopped wanting to sit at the table, 37:42.600 --> 37:43.766 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% "and built my own." 37:43.866 --> 37:46.666 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% And that's exactly what African Americans did. 37:46.766 --> 37:50.200 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% I can't join you at your table, I'll build my own. 37:50.300 --> 37:52.866 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And that's what he did with Tyler Perry Studios. 37:52.966 --> 37:56.800 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And that was just very profound to me and inspiring. 37:56.900 --> 37:59.866 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And somehow, I just think that our younger people need 37:59.966 --> 38:04.200 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% to have that same energy, so we just gotta kinda be in here. 38:04.300 --> 38:05.800 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% I found out if it's on a screen, 38:05.900 --> 38:07.566 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% they'll probably read it or watch it. 38:07.666 --> 38:10.900 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% Anything that's on with technology nowadays. 38:11.000 --> 38:14.300 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% But that was just so profound to me that he said that. 38:15.400 --> 38:17.400 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% - Woman: So I noticed in your research 38:17.500 --> 38:20.666 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% that some things kinda changed mid '60s. 38:20.766 --> 38:22.366 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Would you say that has to do 38:22.466 --> 38:24.566 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% with the national civil rights movement? 38:24.666 --> 38:27.533 align:left position:25% line:71% size:65% - Definitely, I would say definitely it did. 38:28.833 --> 38:31.633 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% Because at this time now, it's a national-- 38:32.633 --> 38:34.366 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% it's becoming national. 38:34.466 --> 38:37.766 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% The laws are changing all the way around. 38:37.866 --> 38:40.000 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% There were places still like Milwaukee, 38:40.100 --> 38:43.700 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% who tried to not abide by the national laws. 38:43.800 --> 38:46.966 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And then there was Vel Phillips from Milwaukee, 38:47.066 --> 38:50.666 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% who fought hard for rights for the community of Madison. 38:50.766 --> 38:54.433 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% Then there's people in Madison like Velma Bell Hamilton, 38:54.533 --> 38:55.666 align:left position:32.5% line:71% size:57.5% different ones. 38:55.766 --> 38:59.133 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Every city, I like to say, in this area 39:01.066 --> 39:04.233 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% had one or two activists, one or two leaders 39:04.333 --> 39:08.833 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% that really tried to press the issue 39:08.933 --> 39:10.800 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% of equal rights for all. 39:10.900 --> 39:13.766 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And then there's over by Lake Geneva, 39:13.866 --> 39:16.000 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% the town of Ivanhoe, I think it is. 39:16.100 --> 39:17.333 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% It's a black community. 39:17.433 --> 39:19.600 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% Our kids don't know anything about that. 39:19.700 --> 39:23.300 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% It was founded by blacks, owned by blacks, and everything. 39:23.400 --> 39:25.266 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Just a few minutes away from here, 39:25.366 --> 39:26.966 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% over outside of Lake Geneva. 39:27.066 --> 39:29.033 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% But that's not in a book, 39:29.133 --> 39:31.700 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% so you almost gotta just preach that word. 39:31.800 --> 39:33.766 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% That would be a great place for a field trip, 39:33.866 --> 39:34.933 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% you know what I mean? 39:35.033 --> 39:36.300 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% So this can really grow. 39:36.400 --> 39:38.100 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% We can make it a club type of deal, 39:38.200 --> 39:40.700 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% those who are really interested, families, parents. 39:40.800 --> 39:43.133 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% This could be something that we could really grow 39:43.233 --> 39:46.333 align:left position:22.5% line:71% size:67.5% and prosper to getting to know your history 39:46.433 --> 39:47.866 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and knowing what's going on. 39:49.300 --> 39:52.266 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% Reverend Pride, they marched with Dr. King 39:53.466 --> 39:57.233 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% back in the '60s, the march to Selma march. 39:57.333 --> 40:00.733 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% He was part of that, Reverend U.S. Pride was. 40:00.833 --> 40:02.833 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Again, very instrumental. 40:02.933 --> 40:04.833 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% And one other thing, like I said, 40:04.933 --> 40:08.766 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% the church has always been our foundation, 40:08.866 --> 40:10.200 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% and they weren't divided. 40:10.300 --> 40:11.966 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% We had the Beloit Community Ministers Fellowship. 40:12.066 --> 40:14.600 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% We had people partnering up and working together. 40:14.700 --> 40:16.633 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And if anything, that's getting a little divided. 40:16.733 --> 40:18.833 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Everybody's just interested in saving themselves 40:18.933 --> 40:21.066 align:left position:12.5% line:71% size:77.5% when we need to save ourselves. 40:21.166 --> 40:24.466 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Any other questions, comments, cares, concerns? 40:24.566 --> 40:25.633 align:left position:30% line:71% size:60% Thank you. 40:25.733 --> 40:30.466 align:left position:20% line:5% size:70% - Thank you. [audience applauding]