Today's Black History
Michael L. Thurmond's New Book - James Oglethorpe
The story of how James Oglethorpe (1696-1785) went from being a slave trader to abolitionist serves as a beacon for Georgia to celebrate its founding values.
DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, who has held numerous roles in local and state government since 1986, has spent the last 27 years researching and writing his latest book: “James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia: A Founder’s Journey from Slave Trader to Abolitionist.” The book, already available to buy, will be released by early next year.
For Thurmond, the story of Oglethorpe can change Georgia’s historical narrative.
“This book will be the most significant contribution I can make to the state that I love,” Thurmond said in his first interview about his latest work. “It is how I maintain my emotional and mental stability as an elected official. It is politics illuminated by history.”
In conjunction with the Remembrance Project Coalition, NAACP DeKalb will present and support Black History events all year.
Look at the many events or history lessons
Events/History
On-Demand Black History Program 2023
Why is it important for African Americans to know our history and teach it to our children? Why is there so much opposition to teaching African American history?
Black History Books for You
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!! Knowledge is obtained through reading. Reading and learning about our true history is so very important especially now. While books (especially textbooks) and media of the past (such as The Birth of a Nation and Amos and Andy, have been used to promote racist ideologies of white supremacy and Black inferiority, the resources compiled in this list provide an overview of Black History and American history (which is our history).
Teach Them Early
"Our purpose is to reverse the brainwashing and break the cycle. We must make sure that those who will come after us love themseves and fully embrace their African heritage. This must stop with us." Mr. Imhotep
The Lost Ancestors
Kwame Akoto-Bamfo is a young Ghanaian sculptor driven by a calling: to sculpt the likenesses of 11,111 enslaved Africans. He is consumed by the impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade on Africans today who still mourn the loss of their ancestors.
Although 12.5 million Africans were wrenched from their homes and families over this 400-year period, he says the evidence of the slave trade in Africa “is being washed away.” Akoto-Bamfo is devoting his life to honoring their lives of his ancestors through his art, memorializing them not just as slaves, but as people with humanity and individuality.
History of Remembrance Project
September 18, 2019, Interfaith Service is the official kickoff to our Journey of Remembrance and Reconciliation. The project is gaining momentum for its third phase, which includes approval by the Board of Commissioners of DeKalb County to erect a marker in Decatur Square; placement of a second marker in Lithonia; and collaboration with EJI to move the marker from Montgomery to Decatur, along with an iron or steel module bearing the names of DeKalb’s lynching victims. These and other related activities will be celebrated during a series of events culminating in an unveiling ceremony and reception. Details of the events will follow.
Flowers placed at memorial in Montgomery, AL in honor of lynching victims in DeKalb Count. The work began in 2018 with a civil rights day trip to Montgomery, AL to visit the museum and memorial established by EJI to the victims of racial terrorism, and is moving into its second phase, which includes an essay contest for secondary school and college students and development of a substantial program of Remembrance Memorials and activities.