Category Archives: Education

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, 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

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

Announcement, Commemoration, Education, Reconciliation

GRAND REOPENING OF THE OLD COURTHOUSE AND FESTIVAL IS MAY 3, 2025

After being closed for 5 years, the Old Courthouse in St. Louis will celebrate its long-awaited Grand Reopening on Saturday, May 3 at 10:00 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Along with totally revised galleries on the first floor and an expanded and beautifully attired new book store and gift shop, there is now an elevator to the second floor.

The building is now telling more of the stories of the history of the cases, uses, purpose and construction of the edifice.

Mock trails will continue to be held on the first floor’s new courtroom as well as in the refurbished original courtrooms upstairs.

Dred and Harriet Scott have a new gallery dedicated to the legacy of the impact of their story. 

Special guests will join the occasion that day.

Cbabi Bayoc is the designer of the festival’s theme. 

Across from the Scott’s room is the Pathways to Freedom gallery that explores African-American life in St. Louis, etc.

The festival will take place in Kiener Plaza until 3 p.m.  The courthouse will be open for visitors throughout the day until its closings at 5 pm.  The public is invited.

Gateway Arch Park Foundation – Old Court Grand Reopening

Spectrum News Article

Education, Event

U.S. Magistrate Judges’ National Workshop – Hilton Ballpark, St. Louis, Missouri

Lynne M. Jackson will be the plenary speaker on Monday, April 14th at the U.S. Magistrate Judges’ National Workshop – April 14-16, 2025, Hilton Ballpark, St. Louis Missouri. Lynne M. Jackson will be the plenary speaker on Monday, April 14th. This event is not open to the public.