The Natchez Democrat (print version): Donnan’s Barber Shop

1960s command post for Deacons for Defense and Justice in Natchez
 
#CivilRights

Print version of “Donnan’s Barber Shop” published in The Natchez Democrat (Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022; Pages 1A and 12A). See online version of this story at this link: https://www.natchezdemocrat.com/2022/02/20/donnans-barber-shop-1960s-command-post-for-deacons-of-defense-and-justice-in-natchez/

#VisitNatchez #BlackHistory #DeaconsForDefense

The Natchez Democrat: Donnan’s Barber Shop: 1960s command post for Deacons for Defense and Justice in Natchez

By natchezdemocrat.com 

#CivilRights

Willie Carter of Natchez stands in front of the two-story building that once served as the command post for the Deacons of Defense and Justice in Natchez. Carter is the current owner of the building which is now home to two small businesses. (Submitted photo)

NATCHEZ — In the 1960s, a crucial time for civil rights, the two-story wood-frame building at 319 North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. became a key meeting place for the Deacons for Defense and Justice in Natchez, according to local historians.
 
It is the site where the Deacons worked with President James “Big Jack” Jackson, a barber in Donnan’s Barber Shop housed on the first floor, Ser Seshsh Ab Heter-Clifford M. Boxley, said in a recent interview.
 
Boxley described the building as a command post — “the hotbed workplace” of Jackson, the founder of the Natchez Deacons and “an observation point” for keeping an eye on the Ku Klux Klan.
 
“The building played a pivotal role where militants gathered to talk and plan actions in the Natchez civil rights movement and observe the KKK located in a store directly across the street,” he said.
 
The building is one of several sites being reviewed by the Natchez Civil Rights Site Committee as a possible location for a Mississippi Freedom Trail marker. The other sites include the Dr. John Bowman Banks Museum and Adams County Courthouse.
 
Boxley, a recognized authority on African American history, said the building holds an important place in the civil rights movement. It was through the fearless commitment of the Deacons, he said, that African Americans found courage and a practical way to survive and succeed in the struggle.
 
The late Jessie B. Bernard-Williams, then-secretary to Charles Evers of the Mississippi State NAACP, reportedly told him that “we felt safe with the Deacons protecting us in the streets.”

The Deacons for Defense was an armed group of African Americans who provided protection for civil rights workers. The organization was first organized in 1964 in Jonesboro, La., in response to the terror and violent acts of the Ku Klux Klans against civil rights activists. The Deacons, many of whom were actual deacons in the church, carried firearms for the protection of the activists, as well as for themselves.
 
“The contributions of the Deacons were second to none,” Boxley said, noting the workers used a three-point model in their protests. “In addition to armed defense, they used economic boycott of businesses owned by whites and enforcement of adherence to the boycott in the black community,” he said.
 
The success of the movement in Natchez has been noted by a number of scholars, including Lance Hill, author of The Deacons for Defense (2004). He stated: “The Natchez campaign was the single greatest community victory for the Civil Rights movement in Mississippi.”

According to Jeremy Houston, local historian, the Deacons in Natchez were believed to be bolder and more radical than those in other places. The men were eager and always ready to take action, he said.
 
Willie Carter, current owner of the building, was young when he worked at the site in 1962 as a shoe-shiner. At the time, the building was owned by Leon Donnan.
 
Carter said he would like to see the building recognized for its role in the civil rights movement. In addition to being a meeting place for the Deacons, it also was the site of the first meeting held by the Council of Federated Organizations or COFO. The group met in 319C, he recalled.

An upstairs room became the office of Judge Willie Scott, “the first African American judge in modern time,” said Boxley. The second floor also housed a library for the black community.

Bobby Dennis, executive director for the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture, described Carter’s building as a safe haven for people who needed protection, especially those who faced threats by white supremacists.
 
“I practically grew up in that barber shop,” Dennis recalled. “My dad, R.L. Dennis, had the first (barber) chair in there. From my personal observations of everything that went on along St. Catherine Street, no one would ever come into that barber shop and harass any individual. It was untouchable.”
 
Dennis said that as a child, he didn’t really understand all that was happening, but he later learned that the building was respected because of the Deacons’ armed protection.

Carter said the site needs to be recognized, whether by Freedom Trail marker or other type of historical designation.
 
Ser Seshsh Ab Heter-Clifford M. Boxley and the Deacons for Defense and Justice in Natchez are featured in PBS Frontline’s “American Reckoning,” Season 2022 Episode 1, which aired Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022. It can be viewed at pbs.org/video/american-reckoning-assg68/
 

#BlackHistory #VisitNatchez #DeaconsForDefense

Natchez U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) Monument Project Garners National Attention for Black History Month 2022

#NatchezUSCT

Deborah Fountain
Genealogist, Historian

Natchez, Miss. – The Natchez U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) Monument Project garnered national attention as the featured topic of the first episode for the 2022 Black History month episode series of the widely-acclaimed Genealogy Adventures Live Show.  As the kickoff hour-long episode to Genealogy Adventures Live’s signature 5-week long celebration of Black History month, the shortest month of the calendar year, Creating the Memorial for the USCT of Natchez, Mississippi aired Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 4 pm EST on Facebook and YouTube with the e360tv app, broadcasting simultaneously on Roku TV, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Android TV where it can still be viewed. It is also available on-demand as a podcast on Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud and iHeart Radio.
 
Since its launch in 2016 as an online video podcast, Genealogy Adventures has grown to become a popular nationally and internationally recognized show, drawing viewers from across the country and all over the world.  In 2018, and again in 2021, Genealogy Adventures Live was named one of Feedspot’s Top 25 Genealogy shows to watch on YouTube, which placed the show with well-known online broadcast streams like those of Ancestry, MyHeritage, and FamilySearch.
 
The Genealogy Adventures Live show focuses on examining overlooked and forgotten chapters of American history through a genealogical lens, revealing parallels to today. Together, co-hosts, Brian Sheffey and Donya Williams have more than 50 years of research experience and share their knowledge with people who have faced great difficulty in finding their own family connections.  Brian and Donya were awarded the prestigious 2021 Ida B. Wells Service Award from the Sons and Daughters of the United States of the Middle Passage in recognition of their tireless efforts to uplift the memory of enslaved people and their stories, through their work on the Genealogy Adventures Live program.
 
Deborah Fountain, the Lead Genealogist and History and Research Subcommittee Chairperson of the Natchez USCT Monument Committee served as the guest representative for the episode Creating the Memorial for the USCT of Natchez, Mississippi.  The show’s one-hour interactive conversation covered a range of topics, including: the background and history of the more than 3,000 Natchez U.S. Colored troops who served during the Civil War, the composition of the Natchez USCT Monument Committee and the steps taken so far through organizing and community dialogue toward creating and erecting a monument. Fountain also shared information on what individuals can do to determine whether their ancestors served in the Natchez USCT. 
 
Viewers contributed positive feedback, comments, ideas and helpful suggestions during this episode about the Natchez USCT Monument Project and have continued to engage since the live broadcast aired.
 
Fountain expressed gratitude to the Genealogy Adventures Live on behalf of the Natchez USCT Monument Committee for featuring the Natchez USCT Monument Project on the first episode of its 2022 Black History Month series.
 
For more information about the U.S. Natchez Colored Troops Monument Project and ways you can get involved or contribute, please visit www.natchezusctmonument.com
 
 #VisitNatchez #NatchezColoredTroops #CivilWar #BlackHistory

Unsung Heroes of Civil Rights Movement to be Honored Saturday by Dr. John Bowman Banks Museum

Event set for 2 p.m., Feb. 12, 2022, at Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church

 #JohnBanksHouse

Cover of the newly release museum brochure.

NATCHEZ, Miss. – More than 50 people will be honored for their work in the civil rights movement at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, in a ceremony at Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church at 607 Madison St.

The recognition will be given by the Dr. John Bowman Banks Museum, also known as the Dr. John Banks House. Former activists, most of whom are local, will be recognized in the program titled, “Honoring the Unsung Heroes and Heroines of the Civil Rights Movement in Natchez, Mississippi."

"This inaugural event, which we plan to hold annually, will honor the civil rights activists who played a vital role in the movement without the attention or recognition given to more prominent participants," said D. P. Hawkins, one of the event’s organizers. “During the program, information will be shared on the contributions made by the honorees by program participants."

The event is free to the public. It is made possible in part by a minigrant grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council, with support by Visit Natchez and Historic Natchez Foundation.

A new brochure that highlights the history of the museum is now available. Copies can be downloaded at visitnatchez.org/JohnBanks

For more information, call (601) 442-5060.

#VisitNatchez #CivilRights #BlackHistory #BlackHistoryMonth

The Woodville Republican: Raising Money for U.S. Colored Troops

Phil Bryant, Wanda Evers Raising Funds for Colored Troops

#NatchezUSCT

#NatchezColoredTroops #VisitNatchez #CivilWar #BlackHistory

The Natchez Democrat: Prince Ibrahim story to be presented in Black History Month program at NAPA museum

Published 7:24 am Monday, Jan. 31, 2022
By Staff Reports

#BlackHistory

Jeremy Houston
Author, Local Historian

NATCHEZ — In recognition of Black History Month, author and local historian Jeremy Houston will give his popular presentation on the life of Prince Abdul Rahman Ibrahim at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4 at the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture. The program, which is free to the public, is titled, “Isabella and the Prince: ‘Overcoming Struggles Through Courage & Faith.’”

Houston will be dressed in period clothes as he does a reenactment of Ibrahim’s life story. He will be joined by Carl Patrick Burrowes, retired humanities professor and university administrator. Burrowes, who is also the executive director of Know Your Self Press, will present a lecture on Ibrahim following Houston’s reenactment.

Houston said the Black History program is sponsored by the Mississippi Humanities Council and Aftershock Inc. Houston is a member of the MHC Speaker’s Bureau

Ibrahim was a West African Prince before he was enslaved on a Mississippi plantation in Adams County. Houston, who owns Miss-Lou Heritage Group and Tours, said Ibrahim’s life “is a powerful story of love, dedication, and the plight to freedom.”

His reenactment of the Prince’s life will help people to look back in time to Ibrahim and his wife, Isabella, during their enslavement, he said. Houston adds: “’Isabella and the Prince’ serves as an examination of the Prince’s life in Natchez, covering economic, political, social and cultural aspects of enslaved persons’ lives at the time.’”

Mimi Miller, executive director emerita of Historic Natchez Foundation, said he does a fine presentation on Ibrahim, which is sure to engender discussion on African enslavement.

“Jeremy did some fine original research on Natchez African American history,” Miller said. “It was always fun to have him in the office and exchange information. He was invaluable for sharing his research with Historic Natchez Foundation.”

Miller said Houston was a very good tour guide, and he endeared himself to many.

For more information, contact Jeremy Houston, owner of Miss Lou Heritage Group & Tours, at (601) 597-2112 or jeremy.houston1134@gmail.com.

See online version of story here: https://www.natchezdemocrat.com/2022/01/31/prince-ibrahim-story-to-presented-in-black-history-month-program-at-napac-museum/

American Ramblers to be Filmed in Natchez, Vidalia, Ferriday

Show will highlight the culture of ‘entire Miss-Lou area’

American Ramblers announcement

Jimmy “JimBob” Allgood of Mid-South Broadcasting and Rick Revel of AME-TV create American Ramblers, a new TV show to highlight the culture of Natchez and Vidalia. From left are Mayor Buz Craft of Vidalia; Jimmy Allgood, executive producer; Betsy O. Barnes, press secretary for Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser of Louisiana; Devin Heath, executive director of Visit Natchez; and Rick Revel, producer/director.

NATCHEZ, Miss. – Natchez, Vidalia and Ferriday will be the shooting locations for multiple episodes of a new TV show called, American Ramblers. The filming is a joint venture by Jimmy “JimBob” Allgood, owner of Mid-South Broadcasting, and Rick Revel, owner of AME-TV.

The hour-long show will appear on Mid-South Broadcasting’s TV channel at midsouth.tv. It goes out internationally through Rocu and Amazon Fire, Allgood said.

“We are so thrilled to have Rick and American Ramblers showcase our rich, historical culture,” said Devin Heath, executive director of Visit Natchez and the Natchez Film Office. “There are so many wonderful settings here with unbelievable stories attached to them that need to be told.”

The purpose of the show is to highlight the local culture, according to Revel, the show’s producer and director. He said that every town has unique features that people should see.

“Our main focus is to share the lesser-known parts of history and the tourist stops that people need to see,” Revel said. “We want people to see places that have history that is beautiful. Our show will be a teaser in that it will not tell the whole story. Instead, it will give them a reason to come and see the whole story.”

Allgood, the executive producer, said the program will be entertaining and educational as it shows what’s great about small towns in America. The target date for the first episode is April or May, he said.

“We will be showcasing our rich, diverse history, food, music and more to the globe,” Allgood said, adding the “entire Miss-Lou area” will be highlighted. He noted filming of the first episode was recently completed. Post production will begin soon.

Allgood and Revel shared the news in a recent meeting with Vidalia Mayor Buz Craft and Betsy O. Barnes, press secretary for Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser of Louisiana. In addition to Heath, they were joined by Sookraj, community and programs manager for Visit Natchez and the Natchez Film Office; and Roscoe Barnes III, cultural heritage tourism manager for Visit Natchez and the Natchez Film Office.

“I’m glad they chose the Miss-Lou area, including Natchez and Vidalia, to start this project,” said Mayor Craft. “This is a testament to our respective communities and the things we have to offer. We have an incredible place to live and raise a family.”

American Ramblers will present 26 episodes that feature stories from all over the United States, according to Revel. However, the first episode will feature Natchez, the home base for the production. Revel and Allgood will serve as co-hosts for the show.

Mid-South Broadcasting is the umbrella for Red Neck Adventures television show and many other programs, including American Ramblers, according to Allgood. Red Neck Adventures is 22 years old this month, he said.

--------------------------------------------

For more information, contact Jimmy "JimBob" Allgood at redneckadventure@yahoo.com, or call 601-597-6658.

Jimmy “JimBob” Allgood of Mid-South Broadcasting and Rick Revel of AME-TV create American Ramblers, a new TV show to highlight the culture of Natchez and Vidalia. From left are Roscoe Barnes III, cultural heritage tourism manager for Visit Natchez and the Natchez Film Office; Sarah Sookraj, community and programs manager for Visit Natchez and the Natchez Film Office; Jimmy Allgood, executive producer; Rick Revel, producer/director; Betsy O. Barnes, press secretary for Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser of Louisiana; Mayor Buz Craft of Vidalia; and Devin Heath, executive director of Visit Natchez and the Natchez Film Office. Barnes is wearing Davy Crockett garb shared by Revel.