Need your support: new book on HBCU history and activism

[Freeze]

And for those unfamiliar with Ernie Suggs, he is a well respected journalist with the Atlanta Journal Constitution who also happens to be a graduate of NCCU. So you'll have an Aggie and an Eagle (talking civilly...lol) about the legacy of HBCUs and activism.

[captaggie]

Rescheduled from last month (tomorrow Nov 17):

[marchingband1969]

I heard you speak a few weeks ago and couldn't wait to hear you again. I'm registered!

[Freeze]

Thank you to those Aggies who popped through to the conversation hosted by the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. Your support was felt and seen. Aggie Pride!!

[marchingband1969]

Nov 17, 2020 20:26:30 GMT -5 Freeze said:

Thank you to those Aggies who popped through to the conversation hosted by the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. Your support was felt and seen. Aggie Pride!!

I fully enjoyed the discussion but one hour really wasn't enough. I plan to buy your book but there needs to be a podcast or lecture series on it. I'm sure your book is enlightening but I want to hear the stories behind the stories. You need to become the "Ken Burns" of HBCUs!

[marchingband1969]

Hey Doc, I had to come back and try to convince you to consider my comments about becoming the "Ken Burns" of HBCUs. We need someone to be the face and voice of HBCUs and I think you're that face. I even asked you a question last night during your discussion... With HBCUs and Black Churches playing such prominent roles in creating African American respect and success, why do HBCUs still struggle? My theory is that HBCUs continue to struggle, even in our own communities because most people really don't know our story. Most think HBCUs were just "thrown up" during segregation to give us someplace to "play college" until the white folks got over their segregation phase. And as soon as whites open their college doors to us, HBCUs ceased to have relevancy. Now you and I know that's crap but I think the majority of Americans, Black and white believe that. That's why we need the HBCU story told.

I saw the PBS HBCU documentary several years ago entitled "Tell Them We Are Rising" and it provided brief entertainment but didn't go into enough details for me. And HBCUs deserve more! You could provide those details.

I know you're deep into your next important book but don't forget HBCUs... their story still needs to be fully shared with everyone!

[Bornthrilla]

"Ken Burns of HBCUs ..."

I second that motion.

[Freeze]

Nov 18, 2020 8:52:22 GMT -5 marchingband1969 said:

Hey Doc, I had to come back and try to convince you to consider my comments about becoming the "Ken Burns" of HBCUs. We need someone to be the face and voice of HBCUs and I think you're that face. I even asked you a question last night during your discussion... With HBCUs and Black Churches playing such prominent roles in creating African American respect and success, why do HBCUs still struggle? My theory is that HBCUs continue to struggle, even in our own communities because most people really don't know our story. Most think HBCUs were just "thrown up" during segregation to give us someplace to "play college" until the white folks got over their segregation phase. And as soon as whites open their college doors to us, HBCUs ceased to have relevancy. Now you and I know that's crap but I think the majority of Americans, Black and white believe that. That's why we need the HBCU story told.

I saw the PBS HBCU documentary several years ago entitled "Tell Them We Are Rising" and it provided brief entertainment but didn't go into enough details for me. And HBCUs deserve more! You could provide those details.

I know you're deep into your next important book but don't forget HBCUs... their story still needs to be fully shared with everyone!

It's ironic you should say that. I will be filmed in an interview for an upcoming documentary produced by a legendary figure within the next month or so. I will be talking about the legacy of HBCUs and how they created formal and informal social and political networks behind the veil of segregation and Jim Crow. I will keep you posted on that.

As for your question, I fully agree. One of my comments about that discussed the failure to support and fully fund our archives and protect, preserve, and celebrate our histories. We have to become better stewards of that. This is one of the reasons why I tried to bring so many unidentified people and untold stories into the writing of the book. There are a million stories about HBCUs that have yet to be told that relate to the freedom struggle of Black people. My book was just a start. So much work left to do.

Thanks again for your support. I have TWO paperback copies of the book left here at the house. If you want a signed copy, just let me know and we can make that happen. I actually just donated 20 copies of the book to the Atlanta Alumni Chapter to support our local scholarship fund, however they sold out very quickly.

[Freeze]

I was actually an uncredited consultant for Tell Them We Are Rising. I think the documentary was decent but they didn't take any of my suggestions and it showed. The film was very superficial in its details on the long history of HBCUs and focused on topics that I would have skipped altogether. But at the end of the day, Stanley Nelson made the film he wanted to and that was his creative choice.

[marchingband1969]

Nov 18, 2020 10:12:55 GMT -5 Freeze said:

Nov 18, 2020 8:52:22 GMT -5 marchingband1969 said:

Hey Doc, I had to come back and try to convince you to consider my comments about becoming the "Ken Burns" of HBCUs. We need someone to be the face and voice of HBCUs and I think you're that face. I even asked you a question last night during your discussion... With HBCUs and Black Churches playing such prominent roles in creating African American respect and success, why do HBCUs still struggle? My theory is that HBCUs continue to struggle, even in our own communities because most people really don't know our story. Most think HBCUs were just "thrown up" during segregation to give us someplace to "play college" until the white folks got over their segregation phase. And as soon as whites open their college doors to us, HBCUs ceased to have relevancy. Now you and I know that's crap but I think the majority of Americans, Black and white believe that. That's why we need the HBCU story told.

I saw the PBS HBCU documentary several years ago entitled "Tell Them We Are Rising" and it provided brief entertainment but didn't go into enough details for me. And HBCUs deserve more! You could provide those details.

I know you're deep into your next important book but don't forget HBCUs... their story still needs to be fully shared with everyone!

It's ironic you should say that. I will be filmed in an interview for an upcoming documentary produced by a legendary figure within the next month or so. I will be talking about the legacy of HBCUs and how they created formal and informal social and political networks behind the veil of segregation and Jim Crow. I will keep you posted on that.

As for your question, I fully agree. One of my comments about that discussed the failure to support and fully fund our archives and protect, preserve, and celebrate our histories. We have to become better stewards of that. This is one of the reasons why I tried to bring so many unidentified people and untold stories into the writing of the book. There are a million stories about HBCUs that have yet to be told that relate to the freedom struggle of Black people. My book was just a start. So much work left to do.

Thanks again for your support. I have TWO paperback copies of the book left here at the house. If you want a signed copy, just let me know and we can make that happen. I actually just donated 20 copies of the book to the Atlanta Alumni Chapter to support our local scholarship fund, however they sold out very quickly.

Thanks for the book offer but I'm going to march into my local Barnes and Noble and proudly announce that I'm looking for that great new book about HBCUs! Give those books to some young kids that desperately need and deserve to know our story!

[Freeze]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLxFZNnLay3

[captaggie]

Congrats!

[Freeze]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CWGlmYWrbnk

Sharing good news about the book. Florida A&M has recommitted to assigning and teaching Shelter in a Time of Storm. Their incoming freshman class of 2022 will use the book for their Common Read Program. Additionally, their current freshman class will have an essay contest this upcoming spring centered around the book. Really honored and blessed that FAMU has valued the manuscript in this way.

I have about 10 paperback copies of the book with me at home. If you or someone you know would like a signed copy for the holidays, please let me know. Would be happy to sell you a copy and get it in the mail. Feel free to inbox me if you are interested.

[captaggie]

[Freeze]

Sept 20, 2022 12:48:00 GMT -5 captaggie said:

Thanks Mike! Not sure I mentioned this, but Touglaoo College is also using the book for its First and Second Year Reading Program. Really humbled and honored by that. Aggie Pride!!