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They Too Call Alabama Home

Richard • February 14, 2001

Students get lesson in state’s Black History

Dr. Richard Bailey signs a copy of his book “They Too Call Alabama Home” for Sumiton Mayor Petey Ellis as Tyrone Webb, division chair for learning resources at Bevill State, looks on.

By CHRIS BURROUGHS, Eagle Reporter

Jesse Owens, Nat King Cole, Joe Louis.

They are names that have become famous in America and, in the world. Historian Dr. Richard Bailey was in Sumiton Tuesday to tell an audience of students that these famous figures were not only African-Americans, but Alabamians.

Bailey was the featured speaker at the African-American History Convocation hosted by Bevill State Community College. Students from West Jefferson School, Dora High School and Sumiton Christian School were treated to a program of music and speeches from Bailey and Dr. Ethel Hall, vice-president of the Alabama State Board of Education.

Bailey is from Montgomery and has a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts from Alabama State University, a Master of Arts from Atlanta University and a Doctor of Philosophy from Kansas State University. He was appointed by former Gov. George Wallace to the DeSoto Commission, a group retracing the route of Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto in Alabama.

“This is a big event inside our college,” said college president Dr. Harold Wade. “Part of our mission, part of the role of our college is to teach people how to work together, live together and respect each other as we live together in this country.”
Hall said she thought of a story to tell, the students of how; important African–American history is to history in general. She told of a young boy who asked his mother what the world would be like if there were no black people. The mother told her son to get ready and she would try to show him. As he got ready and went out in the world, he began to discover things like shoes, combs, elevators, and light bulbs were missing. All of these items, or the things that create them, were invented by black people.

“If you ever wonder what the world would be like without black people, it’s pretty plain to see that you would, be in the dark,” Hall said.

Bailey came to the podium and talked to the students about people from Alabama, both famous and some not-so-famous…

Mountain Eagle, Jasper AL
February 14, 2001

Marker Tells Stories of Slave Trade, Freedom

By websitebuilder • December 10, 2024
History converges at square

Holt Street Baptist Church

By websitebuilder • November 7, 2018
Rosa L. Parks and E.D. Nixon, former president of the Alabama NAACP, arrive at court March 19, 1956, in Montgomery. Parks and Nixon lived in the Cleveland Avenue neighborhood. Cleveland Avenue was renamed Rosa L. Parks Avenue. They Too Call Alabama Home: African-American Profiles, 1800-1999 Holt Street Baptist Church, a couple of blocks to the west of Rosa L. Parks Avenue, features a historic marker that explains the important role the church played in the Montgomery bus boycott and the struggle for civil rights.  An estimated 5,000 Montgomery residents met here on Dec. 5, 1955, to launch the Montgomery bus boycott. The church, which has a historic marker from the state, is always open for curbside viewing, but tours of the church are available by appointment.

Holt Street Baptist Church

By Richard • November 7, 2018
Rosa L. Parks and E.D. Nixon, former president of the Alabama NAACP, arrive at court March 19, 1956, in Montgomery. Parks and Nixon lived in the Cleveland Avenue neighborhood. Cleveland Avenue was renamed Rosa L. Parks Avenue. They Too Call… The post Holt Street Baptist Church appeared first on Alabama Historical Tours.

Cleveland Court Apartments

By Richard • November 7, 2018
Cleveland Court Apartments features a historic marker, which describes Rosa L. Parks’ arrest and subsequent journey to becoming the “mother of the civil rights movement.” The building that houses apartments 620-638 of this Montgomery Housing Authority apartment complex was Rosa… The post Cleveland Court Apartments appeared first on Alabama Historical Tours.

Former Slave Link to Pratt Subject of History Program

By Richard • November 7, 2018
He was Alabama’s master bridge builder, but former slave Horace King may have combined his talent with Prattville industrialist Daniel Pratt on other projects.   By Jim Plott Montgomery Advertiser King, noted for his architecture in Alabama and west Georgia,… The post Former Slave Link to Pratt Subject of History Program appeared first on Alabama Historical Tours.

Neighborhood at a Crossroads

By websitebuilder • October 24, 2004
Historic Area looks to Return to Past Glory

Neighborhood at a Crossroads

By Richard • October 24, 2004
Historic Area looks to Return to Past Glory By Robin Bradley Litchfield, Montgomery Advertiser Drive through the neighborhood along Rosa L. Parks Avenue, and you’ll catch a glimpse every now and then of what was one of Montgomery’s most prominent… The post Neighborhood at a Crossroads appeared first on Alabama Historical Tours.

Three Legends Who Called Alabama Home

By Richard • March 1, 2002
They Too Call Alabama Home: African-American Profiles, 1800-1999 When ASU alumnus Dr. Richard Bailey (1971,1972) was asked to recount the stories of influential African-American Alabamians during Black History Month, he was able to draw from a ready resource – his… The post Three Legends Who Called Alabama Home appeared first on Alabama Historical Tours.

History of Centennial Hill comes to life at Sunday lecture

By Richard • February 18, 2002
The history and people of one of Montgomery’s oldest neighborhoods were the focus of a special Sunday lecture. Richard Bailey presented the lecture “An Afternoon in Centennial Hill” Sunday at the Church of the Good Shepherd on South Jackson Street.… The post History of Centennial Hill comes to life at Sunday lecture appeared first on Alabama Historical Tours.

Marker Tells Stories of Slave Trade, Freedom

By Richard • January 2, 2002
History converges at square By Ken L. Spear, Montgomery Advertiser A historic marker unveiled in the town square on Dexter Tuesday took a crowd of Montgomerians back to more than a century ago. The planting of the new marker at Court Square… The post Marker Tells Stories of Slave Trade, Freedom appeared first on Alabama Historical Tours.
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