Tag Archives: African American

st. louis county courts podcast

St. Louis County Courthouse, Clayton, Missouri

In July, 2018, Dred Scott Presents: Sons and Daughters of Reconciliation presented for the National Judicial College.   It is the nation’s most influential institute for the continuing education of judges.  It was a wonderful experience inspired by Judge Judy Draper and by invitation of  NJC President Benes Z. Aldana.

The following interview comes out of the connections with this program and the county court’s diversity programs held in St. Louis County in 2018.  Mr. Matt Livasy, HR Specialist III and Training and Development Officer, started a podcast for the courts, All In Kids Win.  He invited Lynne Jackson to share the work of the Foundation. Many thanks to Matt and the county courts for this opportunity.  Click the link below to listen to the podcast.

https://wp.stlcountycourts.com/2019/06/aikw-24-dred-scott-heritage-foundation/

Virginians for reconciliation

On April 3, 2019, the Virginians for Reconciliation hosted the descendants of Dred Scott and Roger B. Taney for a day-long visit and programs as an early event in their year long recognition of the 400th year anniversary (1619 -2019) of the first Africans who arrived in Virginia in 1619. 

The reconciliation committee, lead by former Governor Bob McDonnell, was formed in 2018 to support racial healing through conversation and policy changes.

The day included a visit to the Capital Building and the State House, where Lynne Jackson (Dred Scott) and Charlie Taney (Chief Justice Roger B. Taney) visited and addressed many of the legislative groups.  They were recognized in the General Assembly along with former Governor Bob McDonnell by Presiding Officer of the Senate Justin Fairfax, Delegate Delores McQuinn, Speaker Kirk Cox and introduced and bios read by Delegate Roslyn C. Tyler.

Pastor Sylvester Turner and Rev. Ben Campbell took the entourage to the Richmond Slave Trail.  At this site, the enslaved disembarked from the long voyage from Africa and began another most difficult journey.

A somber visit to Lumpkin’s Jail revealed an underground holding facility for enslaved persons that was confirmed by archaeologists in 2005.  It was covered over and will soon become a part of a museum.  While in office, former Gov. McDonnell appropriated $11,000,000 for the of the construction of the site renovation.

Amid several interviews with CBN, NPR, a Virginia Union University student reporter, Jackson and Taney were assisted by Attorney Paul Hedges, acting ED for VFR, Lynne Ross, Legal Consultant and past ED for NAAG, Rhian Senseman, Executive Assistant, VFR and Keith Westbrook, Administrative Assistant to Delegate McQuinn. The group made their way to Virginia Union University where Lynne and Charlie spoke and shared their story of meeting, connecting, apology and forgiveness and interacted with the audience. Thank you to all who made this possible. A special thanks to former Governor Bob McDonnell and co-sponsors Virginians For Reconciliation., Virginia Union University and Virginia Commonwealth University. To watch the full program, click here.

Additional Resources:

Descendants of Dred Scott, Roger Taney attend reconciliation event at VUU (Richmond-Times Dispatch)

Lumpkin’s Jail Timeline

Descendants of racist Supreme Court decision pledge ‘truth-telling, forgiveness and redemption’ (Capital News Service)

Main Image: Lynne Jackson (left), a great-great-granddaughter of Dred Scott’s, and Charles Taney, a descendant of Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney’s, spoke Wednesday at VUU. Photo taken by JAMES H. WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

project Say something

As a guest of Project Say Something and the University of North Alabama Office of Diversity and Institutional Equity, Lynne spoke at the University on Feb 25, 2019. Project Say Something of Florence, AL  is campaigning to erect a monument of former residents Dred and Harriet Scott in front of their local courthouse to contextualize the Confederate monument that has stood there since 1903. The Scotts were chosen after a year-long campaign to educate, raise awareness, and seek an alternative to the existing monument, which is protected by Alabama state law. The Scotts’ struggle for justice inspired the group; they believe the Scotts’ perseverance in their fight for freedom is an important reminder for future generations that justice is often a struggle.

Proposed statue of Dred & Harriet Scott by Project Say Something of Florence, Alabama

washington university hosts 400 Event: Black Struggle, Resiliency and Hope for the Future

Dred and Harriet Scott were represented at the Washington University program Black Struggle, Resiliency and Hope for the Future on Feb 10, 2019 in Graham Chapel.  It is the first of three programs throughout the year in commemoration of the 400th Anniversary of the arrival of the first slave ship to port in Virginia in August of 1619. The programs are convened by Wash U Associate Professor Jack A. Kirkland. Among the speakers was the new chancellor, Andrew Martin, Ph. D as of June 1, 2019.  Others included Adrienne D. Davis, JD and Law School Vice Provost; The Honorable Wesley Bell, St. Louis County Prosecutor, and Lynne M. Jackson, Dred Scott descendant. The rest of the trilogy will be on June 2, and November 10, 2019. The public is invited.

Link to article from St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Special Interest Feature: Dred Scott Immortalized on May 9, 2012 By Missouri Artist Sculptor, E.S. Schubert

We believe this dedication is deserving of all the attention that can be given. Again, it is with sincere gratitude offered to Missouri Artist/Sculptor, E.S. Schubert for immortalizing Dred Scott with your work. Thank you.This portrait of Civil Rights Icon, Dred Scott was originally commissioned for the Hall of Famous Missourians. The first of the edition resides in the Missouri Capitol Building in Jefferson City, Missouri. This sculpture was dedicated on May 9, 2012, one month before the dedication of a statue of Dred and Harriet Scott outside of The Old Courthouse in St. Louis, MO, making it the first known monumental statue of Dred Scott.

Content source: E.S. Schubert Sculpture Studios

Be On The Bus! The Dred Scott Footprints Bus Tour 2018

Young Friends of Dred Scott
8th Annual Field Trip

Saturday, October 20, 2018

The tour begins at 8:45 a.m. at the Eugene Field House – 634 South Broadway and ends there by 4:00 p.m. Tour bus by Vandalia Bus Lines with accommodations.


This fascinating bus tour of the St. Louis area will tour and visually explore over 25 locations and memorials that connect to and honor the person and cause of Dred Scott’s struggle for freedom. You will be surprised and delighted by the hidden gems around the St. Louis area that exist to recognize the significance of the man and his story. Lessor known art, sculpture and honors exist all around us; some which you may pass by everyday unaware.

There will be a drawing for the New Dred Scott T-Shirt and Mug during the tour.

Updated route for return tourists!


Registration deadline is October 19, 2018
Send payment with name(s) and phone number to:

DSHF-Tour
P. O. Box 2009
Florissant, MO 63032-2009


The tour will be narrated by a Dred Scott descendant.

The all-inclusive price of $75.00 includes: free secured parking at the starting site; modern bus with facilities, day long tour with many surprises, lunch at the iconic Blueberry Hill, information on national locatio ns where Dred Scott is heralded and honored, games, souvenirs, photo ops and special guests along the route. This fast paced tour has delighted young and old.

Group registrations of 5 or more are discounted at $65.00

Be sure to bring your camera!  Wear comfortable shoes. You can board and disembark as you desire. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult


For more information contact:

Tiffanie Durham
Young Friends of Dred Scott
314-452-0823

Logan University in Chesterfield, MO to host The NATIONAL JUDICIAL COLLEGE SYMPOSIUM

You are invited to a very special event on Monday, July 16, 2018
at Logan University in Chesterfield, MO.

The NATIONAL JUDICIAL COLLEGE SYMPOSIUM ON
RECONCILIATION AND FAIRNESS IN THE COURTS

This national training for judges is free and is being made available to you as guests of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation which will present the morning session with the panel –

Dred Scott Presents:  Sons and Daughters of Reconciliation.

Lunch is provided and there will be a reception following the afternoon session presented by judges.

We hope you can attend – REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Register online by clicking the following link:
tinyurl.com/njcsymposium2018

If you need help registering, let us know. SEE THE ATTACHED
for program description and details. This is an event of the National Judicial College whose purpose is to provide relevant training to judges across the country.  

Call if you have any questions.

You may receive this in an email blast as well. Please understand
the duplication. This is your personal invitation.

Classical music should reflect the society we live in: Chamber Project returns for 10th year

By KELLY MOFFITT

NPR_STL-Chamber_Panel

Dana Hotle, Kyle Lombard and Adam Manness dicussed the Chamber Project of Saint Louis’ 10th season.

ALEX HEUER | ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO

Originally published on September 6, 2017 5:14 pm

Can the story of the famed Dred Scott decision be effectively put to music? In this tenth year of the Chamber Project Saint Louis, composer Adam Manness is giving it a try.

The first concert of the season, titled “Faith,” features the world premiere of Manness’ “The Devil and the Law,” a work commissioned by Chamber Project based on the Dred Scott case. In it, Manness uses voice, string quartet and flute, transitioning in sound from the darkness of the decision itself to a powerful reflection by Frederick Douglass on the case, ending on a note of hope.

Dana Hotle, a clarinetist and co-artistic director of Chamber Project, said the concert will combine this composition with Manness’ “Delmar Wall” for a night of reflection on the idea of faith and the history of St. Louis. It will be performed at the Missouri History Museum in connection with the current exhibition “#1 in Civil Rights, the African American Freedom Struggle in St. Louis.”

Listen

Listening…

Chamber Project Saint Louis embarks on its 10th season by paying homage to St. Louis, the good and the bad, in a series of seven concerts. St. Louis on the Air contributor Steve Potter spoke with contributors to this year’s performances.

It falls into the entire theme of the season, consisting of seven concerts held at varying venues across St. Louis, which addresses St. Louis and its place in the world.

“We decided with our 10th season is that we wanted to celebrate St. Louis because the mission of Chamber Project is to build community in St. Louis,” Hotle said. “We employ over 20 artists and musicians in St. Louis and we keep it local. The community has supported us so much in the past 10 years, we wanted to celebrate that.”

Chamber Project violinist Kyle Lombard said he appreciates the ensemble’s casual feel, accessibility and commitment to putting the best classical music product on stage.

“For aficionados, these performances add context to works they already know,” Hotle said. “For people who are new to the genre, these concerts give them context to feel like they’re on the inside. One of the things we started with in the Chamber Project was trying to frame music that makes it accessible to everyone. A lot of that is telling a story through the music and finding stories people can relate to. What is the story behind the music? What will you connect to?”

Part of that means putting the music in different venues than classical music is typically played in. In this season, concerts will take place in venues ranging from the Missouri History Museum, The Chapel near Washington University’s campus, the Schlafly Tap Room and the Vino Gallery.

Such a change-up in venue also brings the performers closer together, said Lombard.

“As a violinst, I’m always thinking about the space I’m playing, projection,” Lombard said. “The connection that we feel with Chamber Project is what is really special. When you’re thrown into a brand new acoustic, it is a challenge for players to stay connected to one another.”

Concert themes this season range from faith to architecture to protest to environmentalism, but Hotle said the key to this season is its diversity in the composers and performers highlighted.

We are very passionate that our art form of classical music should reflect the society we live in,” Hotle said. “It doesn’t need to disregard the classical, great, white European composers, to include their stories in the way they are relevant today, but also to include as many diverse people as possible: women, people of color. That’s what will keep this art form alive, if they can connect this music, this art form, to their lives.”

Chamber Project is also hosting a docent led tour of the Missouri History Museum’s exhibition “#1 in Civil Rights, the African American Freedom Struggle in St. Louis” September 6 at 7:00 p.m. Register here.

Related Event

What: Chamber Project Saint Louis Presents “Faith”

When: Friday, Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Missouri History Museum, Lindell Boulevard and DeBaliviere Avenue in Forest Park, 5700 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis

More information.

St. Louis on the Air brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. St. Louis on the Air host Don Marsh and producers Mary EdwardsAlex Heuer and Kelly Moffitt give you the information you need to make informed decisions and stay in touch with our diverse and vibrant St. Louis region. 

Copyright 2017 St. Louis Public Radio. To see more, visit St. Louis Public Radio.

Missouri History Museum St. Louis Civil Rights Struggle Exhibit

St. Louis has a long and documented history of challenging racial injustice. This history includes several key battles having long-lasting impact on the City of St. Louis and the nation as a whole. The Missouri History Museum’s recent installation #1 In Civil Rights, The African American Freedom Struggle in St. Louis presents the accounts of this history that has been too often unacknowledged.

For information about this exhibit, please visit: http://mohistory.org/civilrights