WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today introduced the Fort Pillow National Battlefield Park Study Act, legislation that would direct the Department of the Interior to conduct a resource study to determine whether the location of an infamous massacre of Black Union soldiers in the waning months of the Civil War qualify it as a National Park Service site. Ft. Pillow … [Read more...] about Congressman Cohen introduces act to study, recognize massacre of Black soldiers at Ft. Pillow
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Marcus Heaston serves students, community through workforce development
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.” Proverbs Framed on Marcus Heaston’s office wall, this Bible verse signifies what his family stands on: a firm foundation in Christ and stewarding their last name. “They’ve always stressed to us, ‘Don’t do anything to embarrass your family. Don’t do anything to embarrass yourself. … [Read more...] about Marcus Heaston serves students, community through workforce development
Felisha Mason leads Boys & Girls Club as CEO
When the Boys and Girls Club of the Hatchie River Region was founded, Felisha Mason remembered driving past it stating that she would never be able to work there. Little did she know that a Facebook invite began her journey to being the chief executive officer over the organization. Mason’s Facebook friend sent an invitation to follow the BGCA page, which led to her interest … [Read more...] about Felisha Mason leads Boys & Girls Club as CEO
Atoka photographer SaDabrie Taylor makes connections and captures your best memories
When he first started shooting weddings, photographer SaDabrie Taylor was surprised by the close relationships between the brides and their fathers. The fathers’ reactions to their daughters is one of the things he enjoys capturing. “I’ve seen it in movies, but to actually see a father cry when he sees his daughter for the first time … that’s something that really surprised … [Read more...] about Atoka photographer SaDabrie Taylor makes connections and captures your best memories
Meet Frazier High School’s Class of 1957
Frazier High School is no longer standing and few of its artifacts are still around, but Tipton County Museum Archivist Sherri Onorati has a 1957 yearbook from the former all-Black school in Covington's District 1. The Class of 1957 featured some people who would go on to do great things. Minnie Burrell was the class's treasurer who would later marry classmate John Bommer, … [Read more...] about Meet Frazier High School’s Class of 1957
Recognizing the disparity in news coverage for African American and white soldiers in The Leader
During the early years of the Covington Leader, each week one could find a very short paragraph titled “Colored Folks” which would provide a few sentences of news thought to be of interest to the county’s African American community. During the United States’ entrance into World War II, The Leader printed lists of Tipton County soldiers, black and white, called for military … [Read more...] about Recognizing the disparity in news coverage for African American and white soldiers in The Leader
Meet the women who registered African-American women voters in 1920
In the October 14, 1920 issue of The Covington Leader it was announced that Rosa Adams and Evelina Connell had been appointed by Mrs. James Beasley to organize African-American women to vote in the 1920 election. Their efforts, the paper reported, resulted in 121 registrations. The African-American women were registered as Republicans and 558 white women, organized by Beasley, … [Read more...] about Meet the women who registered African-American women voters in 1920
Letters from the Warfront: In 1944, Sgt. Ernest Taylor wrote to The Leader about Negro History Week
On Feb. 24, 1944, The Covington Leader published a letter from Sgt. Ernest Eugene Taylor, of Mason, commemorating what was then known as Negro History Week. In his letter, Taylor spelled out his hopes for progress with race relations in the coming year. The letter, in its entirety, reads: (Editor's note: The following letter was received Friday from Sgt. Ernest Eugene Taylor, … [Read more...] about Letters from the Warfront: In 1944, Sgt. Ernest Taylor wrote to The Leader about Negro History Week
