Afro-American CONTRIBUTIONS

Executive Officers

Nathaniel Lawrence - President

Teri Branch - Vice President

Dolly Griffin - Secretary

Bob Lewis - Treasurer

Board of Directors

Teri Branch (Membership Committee Chair)

Mike Brown (Juneteenth Committee Chair & Monument Committee Chair)

Dolly Griffin

Alma Jordon (History and Research Committee Chair)

Nathaniel Lawrence

Anna Moseley

Jeanette Pettit

Jeanne Pirtle

Nathaniel Scroggins

Clarissa Stripling

Merideth Taylor (Public Relations Committee Chair)

Linda Thomas

Janice Walthour

Dorothy Waters

Juneteenth Committee

Michael Brown, Chair

Irvin Beverly Sr.

Teri Branch

Michelle Brown

Janet Halton

Melinda Hughey

Sandra Johnson

Alma Jordon

Anna Moseley

Jeanette Pettit

Deloris Poole

Nathaniel Scroggins

Clarissa Stripling

Cornelius Stripling

Linda Thomas in which the people thereof, respectively, shall then be in rebellion against the United States; and the fact that any State or the people thereof shall on that day be in good faith represented in the Congress of the United States by members chosen thereto at elections wherein a majority of the qualified voters of such States shall have participated shall, in the absence of strong countervailing testimony, be deemed conclusive evidence that such State and the people thereof are not then in rebellion against the United States."

Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by virtue of the power in me vested as Commander-InChief of the Army and Navy of the United States in time of actual armed rebellion against the authority and government of the United States, and as a fit and necessary war measure for supressing said rebellion, do, on this 1st day of January, A.D. 1863, and in accordance with my purpose so to do, publicly proclaimed for the full period of one hundred days from the first day above mentioned, order and designate as the States and parts of States wherein the people thereof, respectively, are this day in rebellion against the United States the following, to wit: half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.

Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana (except the parishes of St. Bernard, Palquemines, Jefferson, St. John, St. Charles, St. James, Ascension, Assumption, Terrebone, Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Orleans, including the city of New Orleans), Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia (except the forty-eight counties designated as West Virginia, and also the counties of Berkeley, Accomac, Morthhampton, Elizabeth City, York, Princess Anne, and Norfolk, including the cities of Norfolk and Ports- mouth), and which excepted parts are for the present left precisely as if this proclamation were not issued.

And by virtue of the power and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States and parts of States are, and henceforward shall be, free; and that the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.

And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free to abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defence; and I recommend to them that, in all case when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable wages.

And I further declare and make known that such persons of suitable condition will be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service.

And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the Constitution upon military necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind and the gracious favor of Almighty God.

Later attempts to explain this two and a half year delay in the receipt of this important news have yielded several versions that have been handed down through the years. Often told is the story of a messenger who was murdered on his way to Texas with the news of freedom. Another, is that the news was deliberately withheld by the enslavers to maintain the labor force on the plantations. And still another, is that federal troops actually waited for the slave owners to reap the bene of one last cotton harvest before going to Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. All of which, or neither of these version could be true. Certainly, for some, President Lincoln's authority over the rebellious states was in question. For whatever the reasons, conditions in Texas remained status quo well beyond what was statutory.

One of General Granger’s first orders of business was to read to the people of Texas, existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer."

The reactions to this profound news ranged from pure shock to immediate jubilation. While many lingered to learn of this new employer to employee relationship, many left before these offers were completely off the lips of their former 'masters' - attesting to the varying conditions on the plantations and the realization of freedom. Even with nowhere to go, many felt that leaving the plantation would be their first grasp of freedom.

North was a logical destination and for many it represented true freedom, while the desire to reach family members in

School. As the Assistant Vice President of Student Engagement at College of Southern Maryland, she manages the advising, disability support, and veteran services; as well as the men of color, first year experience, and special programs for the college. She also serves on college-wide committees charged to direct the strategic path and development for the college. She has been an adjunct faculty member at CSM for over 18 years. Most recently, she has obtained her apprentice license to teach driver education for the college.

Regina holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Frostburg University in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and is the 147th inductee to their Bobcat Hall of Fame. She earned a Master of Arts

Leadership is the Core of Gregg Riley

Nationally recognized speaker Colonel (RET) Gregg Riley served over 26 years in the US Army before his retirement. He developed his leadership skills by leading soldiers and organizations from Platoon to Brigade level. He also led military and civilian personnel on multimillion-dollar Information Technology programs for the Department of Defense.

Gregg graduated from Austin Peay State University with a degree in Business, received a master's degree in Technology Systems Management from the University of Maryland, and is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Parachutist Badge. He is the author of "Steps to the Promised Land."

Gregg created and starred in a selfproduced one-person show depicting Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr., entitled "An Evening with Dr. King." Beginning during his college inspirational.

Once word got out about his excellent performances, many requests came for Gregg to speak at MLK Day and Black History Month programs. Portraying Dr. King was exciting and fun; however, it began to leave Gregg with an empty feeling. At the end of each performance, Gregg held a question-and-answer session. What surprised him was people didn't ask historical questions; they asked what to do today on various issues like poverty, violence, racism, empowerment, and other topics. It revealed to him that people were starving for answers to serious questions facing individuals, communities, and today's nation.

Leadership, Diversity & Race Relations

Gregg decided to take on this challenge and address these issues head-on as a Motivational Speaker focused on Leadership, Diversity, and Race Relations. Gregg propels audiences to develop and execute action plans and provides information on how to access additional resources for continued improvement and growth.

Gregg speaks at high schools, colleges and universities, church organizations, civic organizations, local, State, and Federal Government Agencies, and Fortune 500 companies.

Website: www.colonelg.com

African

American Brown Cannon

Elmer

Galveston

Lancaster

Emancipation

Granger

Lexington

Live Maryland

Slavery

Texas

Slavery

Unified

Union war

Find the words above in the puzzle. Words can go in any direction. Words can share letters as they cross over each other.

26 words placed.

Come enjoy making a variety of crafts that depict African American history and culture.

(While Supplies Last)

1:15 –1:30 - Wreath Laying at the United States Colored Troops (USCT) Memorial Monument in Lancaster Park

Conducted by the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) in honor of USCT and all Union soldiers from St. Mary’s County who fought for Freedom in the Civil War. Visit the SUVCW display and learn more about Civil War history in St. Mary’s County. The display will be located in front of the USCT Interpretive Center.

1:45- 2:30 - Sotterley Presentation

Katherine Humphries, Education Coordinator will present videos taped by Lexington Park Elementary School’s 5th grade STEM class. These students visited Sotterley and worked on some short videos based on what they learned during their initial visit last fall. Students and families are invited to attend and participate with sharing their finished projects.

3:00-4:30 – “Tracing the History of Your Roots and Family Recipes”

Get help with tracing your family roots and learn about recipes from “300 Years of Black Cooking“. Featuring Let’s Talk About Stuffed Ham” with Bertha Hunt ( Local resident recently featured in USA Today discussing her mother’s (Theresa Young) stuffed ham. The recipe has been passed down from generation to generation only by word of mouth. Highlights of recipes featured in the “300 Years of Black Cooking” cook book will be discussed. June 18, 2022-

3:00- 4:30. Presenters: Kent Randell, Archivist- St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Bertha Hunt, Everlyn Holland and Charles Smallwood- Family of Theresa Young