By Garry Blanson Once upon a time, in the Louisiana Territory, back when it was under Spanish rule.There was actually a Law that made “CREOLE WOMEN” & “FREE WOMEN of COLOR” tone down the beauty of their hair! The law…
Tag: Garry Blanson
Our Rich Black Heritage: The forgotten Black-owned service stations in Monroe
By Garry Blanson “A People without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without Roots” -Marcus Mosiah Garvey Recently, I discovered that when the “Monroe Civic Center” was built, several streets like “Vicksburg Street” disappeared into the…
Our Rich Black Heritage: “Black Americans have made major strides in spite of oppression and injustice. This Bi-Centennial Booklet is a tribute to Black and White Americans” – Bernie Dayton Robinson
By Garry Blanson “THE BLACK BI-CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE” Before he died, “Mr. B.D. Robinson” assembled A Black Bi-Centennial Committee to put together A Booklet On the History of Blacks in Ouachita Parish & Monroe, Louisiana. The Booklet is Called,”Contributors of Ouachita…
Our Rich Black Heritage: Forgotten Louisiana “HBCU” Schools – Gilbert Academy, New Orleans University, and Straight University
By Garry Blanson Today, it seems that while many Black People in Louisiana are familiar with “DILLARD UNIVERSITY, located in New Orleans, Louisiana, some of them do not know that the original students from Dillard came from 3 schools that…
Our Rich Black Heritage: Mary Frances Robinson Goins
By Garry Blanson Well, this week’s Black Pioneer hails from a family of distinguished Black Educators residing in Monroe, Louisiana. Beginning first with her parents Solomon Lee Robinson and Josephine Parks Robinson. You know, it’s puzzling to me as to…
Our Rich Black Heritage: Jane Serepeta Dean
By Garry Blanson Although Jane was born into slavery in Northern Virginia, she never let it keep her from striving to better herself, her immediate family, and her Race! At the end of the American Civil War, schools for Colored…
Our Rich Black Heritage: Maryland Brooks, “The Colored Cattle King” & Meat Grocer of Ouachita & Morehouse Parish
By Garry Blanson Part Two of a Two-Part Series. Although, Maryland Brooks had customers in Ouachita and Morehouse Parishes, his home was located here in Monroe, Louisiana, and his address was listed as 2305 Breard Street. Out of curiosity, I…