All posts by Dred Scott Heritage Foundation

Great-great granddaughter of Dred and Harriet Scott of the Dred Scott Decision, 1857.
Commemoration, Educate, Education, News, Reconciliation

ABC News, A Busy Summer, and Washington D.C.

Lynne M. Jackson and ABC News Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas 

ABC News, in collaboration with Disney, aired a massive, 24-hour multi-platform event titled “Disney Celebrates America” to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. The unprecedented cross-network celebration spans ABC, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, and National Geographic.

The Dred Scott Decision is among the historical highlights aired on July 4th in honor of America’s semi-quincentennial. Watch Here!

NPR interviewed Charlie Taney and Lynne M. Jackson on June 30 at St. Marks’ Episcopal Church in Washington DC. As the 250th anniversary events loomed on the horizon and the Supreme Court Decision was imminent, descendants of the key figures in the Dred Scott Decision shared their reconciliation story in the nation’s capitol. Listen Here.

As America Turns 250
Remember Those Who Chose Unity

Producer of Liberty At Stake, Michael Jahr and Lynne Jackson co-author July 4th editorial

Washington Examiner Article and Audio

A Dred Scott program for those who are the descendants of men and women who were enslaved Mt. Vernon. Watch Here.

Supreme Court Historical Society Podcast with Charlie and Lynne.

On July 1, 2026, Charlie and Lynne did a podcast for the Supreme Court Historical Society. This event will air shortly.

Honoring Mrs. Melvina Conley-Strickland Found Dred Scott Papers

Mrs. Melvnia Conely-Strickland is the lady who found the Dred Scott freedom suit papers in the Civil Court building in downtown St. Louis. She subsequently found many more and found it to be a labor of love. She gave an Archival Interview to Attorney Lauren Collin and was filmed by Producer Tony West for the Freedom Suits Memorial Foundation. We are delighted to honor her and share this video.

Recognition

MONICA BOYD receiving an award on May 31st from the National Council of Negro Women with Peggy Lewis LeCompte and Princetta Fairies. Monica and Peggy are board members of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation.

The NAACP St. Louis County Branch honored Lynne with the Dred Scott Freedom Fund Award on June 6th. 

We want to give a special thanks to Brian Young of UnderFire Entertainment/Trio Handyman Services for his generous help at Busch Stadium on June 16th. He took outstanding photos and videos and volunteered his time to the Foundation. We are truly indebted to his support and high energy! Thank you, Brian!! 

In Remembrance

We are extremely saddened at the sudden loss of one of our extraordinary teachers in the Reading: A Civil Right program in July. Dr. Almeda Lahr-Well passed away on July 2 and leaves to grieve and miss her, her family, the incredible Lahr-Well Academy students, staff, and all the children who will not get to be under her tutelage. Board members Monica Boyd and Lynne Jackson were especially close to Almeda and friends Gail Mueller and Sue Matthias. Blessings to her family.

Announcement, Commemorate, Educate, Event, News

20TH ANNIVERSARY BALLGAME EVENT A HIT!

The baseball game anniversary event honoring Dred Scott (Dred Scott Decision of 1857) and Oscar Charleston (Superstar of National Negro Leagues and #3 in all time batting when MLB and NNL were merged) was a home run for those who attended at Busch stadium on the beautiful evening of June 16, 2026. 

Dred Scott Madison II and his wife Felicia attended from Texas
Some of the descendants related to both  Scott and Charleston
Some of the Charleston descendants

The Cardinals won 3-2, giving us much more to cheer about.  Attendees received newly created baseball cards (designed by Russ Sauer of Visual Concepts) for Oscar Charleston and special event rally towels.  An 8 1/2″  X  3 1/2″ frameable ticket was also a gift souvenir for those in attendance. 

We honored Bob Costas with a segment in our souvenir book, which is also available in our retail store on this site.  Here is Bob’s tribute to Oscar Charleston. 

Our author’s corner included our own Virgal Woolfolk, Back When We Were Colored, (w/Sally Rains) and Jeremy Beer, Ocsar Charleston, The Life and Legend of Baseball’s Greatest Forgotten Player, both in person. Also, our dear friend, the late Fern Morrissey became a published author just this year at the age of 95, passing at 96 this May.  Her true story is about Russian Wild Strawberries and a penpal friendship across the globe that lasted  almost 60 years.

A local, young poet, Carlan Danielle, wrote a beautiful poem, just for this ocassion. Her heartfelt and endearing prose will truly touch your heart.  Thank you Carlan, for such an honor.  Her poem is highlighted in the Souvenir Book.

St. Louis’ own Brock Seals painted a commissioned baseball bat signifying the contributions of both men.  This up and coming artist is one to watch!  Catch his work at  www.palettebyseals.com.

Our souvenir book honors our teachers and local institutions including Harris Stowe State Univeristy where the Negro League players locally built their own STARS FIELD and played there.  The site was rededicated on the same spot at HSSU as a baseball field by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2021.  On the outside of the field shines a mural of the 1928, 1920 an 1931 Championship teams.

The souvenir book also highlights only some similarities between Dred and Oscar. They are showcased throughout. 

Virgal Woolfolk
Paul Venker

Don’t forget to visit our online retail store here!

Announcement, Commemoration, Education, Event

Dred Scott/Oscar Charleston Night at the Ball Park Fundraiser

Join us at Busch Stadium for a great celebration of:
Dred Scott (Courageous Freedom Fighter)
Oscar Charleston (Negro League Superstar)
During the week of Juneteenth 2026 and
our Foundation’s 20th Anniversary
On Tuesday, June 16th at 6:45 p.m.
700 Clark Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63102

We are asking your support in this exciting celebration as we cheer for our heroes and cheer our Cardinals on to victory against the San Diego Padres. This is a fundraiser and an historical moment, combining our histories on what happens to also be Teacher’s Night at the ballpark.

Section 132/133 tickets are discounted at $25.00 and can be purchased by scanning the QR code or clicking here.

Paid attendees will receive a framable souvenir ticket and an Anniversary rally towel at the game. There will be even more fun in the section if you are among the first 300 to purchase your tickets.

A Meet the Author Moment will happen with Jeremy Beer, author of “Oscar Charleston” the 500 page book on all things Oscar and “Back When We Were Colored” author, Virgal Woolfolk (with Sally Rains). His memoirs of his family helping house players during segregation.

Tickets are on sale now. Please help spread the word by sharing this flier, share to Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). Invite groups, families and organizations. (Some are buying a block of tickets (your choice of how many) and selling or giving them away.)

Help us sell 500 tickets or more for a special recognition for the Foundation on the field.**

Let’s make sure our heroes are well represented!

You will receive an email with your ticket by June 9th to be presented at the ballpark.

Your presence will help lift up these historical individuals and moments in our American History and we are, as always, most grateful and look forward to seeing you there!

For more information and updates on event activities, email questions to [email protected] and be sure to visit www.dredscottlives.org

From the Dred Scott Heritage Board of Directors, the Dred Scott and Oscar Charleston Family

**(A Foundation or family member would be on the field with your help.)

To purchase tickets you can click here or scan the QR code.

Download QR code or Flier PDF to send to friends and families.

Cardinal Flier QR CodeDownload

DSHF Cardinals Fundraiser Flier PDFDownload

Announcement, Award, News, Recognition

Dred Scott Freedom Award Reception-Congratulations to our awardees!

Zaki Baruti
Lois Conley
Etta Daniels
Tom Guignon
Father Gerry Kleba
Dr. Art McCoy
Brenda Mahr
Michael P. McMillan
Joan Trumpauer Mulholland
Dr. Sowandé Mustakeem
Eugene Redmond
Michelle Tucker
Malaika Horne Wells, PhD
Judge Milton Wharton
Pastor Aeneas Williams
Dr. John Wright

Click on awardee image to read their bio!

Standing in for Father Gerald Kelba is Tony West.
Standing in for Michael McMillian is James Clark. 

To see the complete program book scan this QR Code.

Award, Event, Recognition

Dred Scott Freedom Awards Reception 2026

YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND OUR RECEPTION AND CELEBRATE WITH US 16 OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE GIVEN A LIFETIME OF SERVICE AND ARE MOST WORTHY OF RECOGNITION

Zaki Baruti
Lois Conley
Etta Daniels
Tom Guignon
Dr. Malika Horn
Fr. Gerald Kleba
Brenda Mahr
Dr. Art McCoy

Michael P. McMillan
Joan Trumpauer Mulholland
Dr. Sowandé Mustakeem
Eugene Redmond
Michelle Tucker
Honorable Judge Milton Wharton
Pastor Aeneas Williams
Dr. John Wright

Mistress of Ceremonies
Dr. Kelley Hoskins, FOX2News Award Winning Journalist

Tickets for this exclusive black-tie event are $125.00 per/person
This is a black-tie affair but tuxes are NOT required.

Register here!

Legacy Sponsorships

We invite you to support us with your sponsorships and be a part of the souvenir program.

Dred Scott Freedom Sponsor Level $10,000
Harriet Scott Courage Sponsor Level $7,500
Abraham Lincoln Leadership Sponsor Level $5,000
Roswell Field Advocate Sponsor Level $ 3,000
Taylor Blow and John Lebourgeois Family Level Sponsor Level $1,000
Eliza and Lizzie Scott Family Sponsor Level $500
Program Support Ads $100

Become a sponsor now!

Peggy Lewis LeCompte
Reception Chairman
[email protected]
(618) 593-7196

Lynne Madison Jackson
President & Founder
[email protected]
(314) 532-5613

Commemoration, Education, Event

2025 Dred Scott Footprints & Attendant Black History Bus Tour

October 25, 2025

This is a half day bus tour, lunch is optional with the group (at your expense) immediately after. Registration is limited so sign up early.  

Happy to work with the St. Louis Racial Reconciliation Network on this Fall tour. 

Click to register or use the QR Code Below
Education, Event, Recognition

Local Film Festival Wins 10 Awards!

July 27, 2025

Film Producer Father Gerry Kleba and Film Director Tony West are the proud recipients of TEN Film Festival Awards! Those of us who are honored to have participated were all at the premier at the Hi-Pointe Theatre on July 27, 2025! Also, at the Atlanta Film Festival, the movie won BEST DOCUMENTARY.

A Black History Tour of St. Louis was inspired by and starred Fr. Gerry Kleba, whose appreciation for civil rights caused him to share the historic places of St. Louis and his role in it with many people, including Archbishop Rozanski. 

The cast includes: Fr. Gerald Kleba, Fr. Vincent Nyman, Jobyna Foster, Lynne Jackson, Vivian Gibson. Also in the photo is our friend Stephanie Bliss, Director of the Field House Museum which provided a space for the Dred Scott story filming in 2024 while the Old Courthouse was still closed for renovation.

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Announcement, Education, Event, Reconciliation

Marshfield 2025 Descendant of Nat Turner and Dred Scott

Join us  on  Friday, April 25, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.  for the 14th Annual Dred Scott Reconciliation Forum – Two iconic freedom fighters’ descendants will be presenting “Two Historic Roads to Freedom” – Dr. Bryan Moore (Nat Turner’s great-great grandson) and Lynne Jackson (Dred Scott’s great-great granddaughter) will share the inside stories and answer puzzling questions about their ancestors who were neighbors in Southampton, VA. Peeling back the complex layers of their ancestor’s stories that marked our history for perpetuity and what they are doing today in response to reconciling the hurts – Marshfield Assembly of God (1538 W. Washington, Marshfield, Missouri.)

Dr. Bryan Moore,
Nat Turner’s great-great grandson
Lynne M. Jackson
Dred Scott’s great-great granddaughter