‘The Lincoln School Story’ to kick off Ohio Statehouse’s Black History Month celebration
The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will celebrate Black History Month with four 60-minute programs. These programs will be presented every Tuesday, starting on Feb. 4 and ending on Feb. 25, in the Statehouse Atrium at noon.
Melvin Barnes with Ohio Humanities will introduce the documentary “The Lincoln School Story;” storyteller and poet Lyn Ford will share works created by African American narrative artists while discussing her own Black Appalachian heritage; Columbus Metropolitan Library will talk about the Columbus, Black-owned newspaper Call & Post; and the National Park Services will give a presentation on Brigadier General Charles Young, the first African American national park superintendent.
All events are free and open to the public. Reservations are not required, but groups and schools should save their seats by calling Ariana Glaser at 614-728-3726.
Scheduled noon presentations include:
Feb. 4 - “The Lincoln School Story” with Melvin Barnes of Ohio Humanities. “The Lincoln School Story” is a short film that highlights the fight of African American mothers in Hillsboro, Ohio for school integration in 1954 following the Brown v. Board of Education decision. Despite facing severe backlash, they persisted in one of the longest civil rights protests in American history. After the screening, Dr. Melvin Barnes Jr. will lead a Q&A session to discuss the impact of their struggle.
Feb. 11 - FROM THE HEART, SO MUCH TO DISCOVER: The Heritage of Ohio's Black Voices presented by Lyn Ford. There are many lesser-known treasures of stories and poetry developed by African American narrative artists in the past and contemporary literary arts. Storyteller and poet Lyn Ford will recognize and honor a few of them as she shares from her research, her poetry, and her own Black Appalachian heritage.
Feb. 18 - The History of the Columbus Call & Post presented by the Columbus Metropolitan Library. Join us as we explore the King Arts Complex Collection’s photos from the Columbus Call & Post, an African American newspaper published from 1962 to 1990 by the late publisher, Amos Lynch.
Feb. 25 - Life and Legacy of Brigadier General Charles Young presented by the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument. Join a National Parks Ranger for a presentation on the life and legacy of Brigadier General Charles Young. Young was a trailblazer who became the first African American national park superintendent, Colonel in the U.S. Army and military attaché. He also served as a mentor to many, including students at Wilberforce University and future Army leaders like Benjamin O. Davis Sr.
Each program will be live-streamed and recorded by OhioChannel.org.
Located on the ground floor, the Capitol Café will be open 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., and the Statehouse Museum Shop will be open Feb. 18 and 25.
Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 25 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.