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Black History Told in Bronze

By Clint Confehr PULASKI, TN — Many African-Americans are the descendants of “brave warriors” despite a misconception that all Black folks’ ancestors were enslaved, a retired educator says, emphasizing that lesson in bronze. “I’m putting a statue up to let Black boys and girls know that we are not just descendants of slaves,” Vivian Sims, […]
The post Black History Told in Bronze appeared first on The Tennessee Tribune.
The post Black History Told in Bronze first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 years ago

June 1, 2023

Oakland Post

By Clint Confehr

PULASKI, TN — Many African-Americans are the descendants of “brave warriors” despite a misconception that all Black folks’ ancestors were enslaved, a retired educator says, emphasizing that lesson in bronze.

“I’m putting a statue up to let Black boys and girls know that we are not just descendants of slaves,” Vivian Sims, 94, says as unveiling of the statue is scheduled for June 17th in Cave Springs Park, 204 Spear St.

An 11 a.m. unveiling is planned for the statue — “Resurrection of Valor” — that faces North First Street (U.S. Highway 31). It’s 0.4 miles north of the Giles County Courthouse.

“I’m very appreciative that they had faith in me to to tell their story in bronze,” said sculptor Pamela Sue Keller.

Sims says Keller “made the most gorgeous statue with the boy looking up at the soldier.”

During 1991-1998, Sims was the principal of Southside Elementary School where Keller’s children attended and were befriended by the Pulaski educator whose latest lesson will outlast opposition to Black history in public schools.

Nearly 2,400 U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) forced Confederate soldiers from Fort Hill above Cave Springs Park, she said. Many USCT soldiers settled in Pulaski rather than return to a plantation. There were: 20,000 Blacks fighting the Confederacy in Tennessee; 200,000 in the South.

“It is because of those brave warriors that the Union won the war,” Sims says. “After slavery … White people don’t want Black people to know that. So, when the boys, in particular, grow up, they have no self esteem.”

Originally from New York City, Sims was a Fulbright Exchange Teacher before she married, moved to Pulaski and learned it’s where the Ku Klux Klan was formed. Disconcerted but undaunted, she taught school and realized African American boys had low test scores, were “lackadaisical” and “gave the most discipline problems.” As a principal, she found they had normal IQs, so she recruited “buddies” for them. Test scores improved with mentoring by married Black men with families, jobs and community success.

Nearly two years ago, Sims was named to the Pulaski City Council’s Community Advisory Council on Inclusive Recognition and Acknowledgement. Panelists were asked for suggestions. Sims recommended and council members agreed to honor the USCT. Inspired by a USCT statue in Franklin, she advocated a statue. She’s described by Keller as “the main patron of the sculpture.”

Sims is spending proceeds from a house sale decades ago. The money grew at a credit union.

“Everybody on the committee was satisfied” with the statue plan, Sims said. “God helped me find a way to tell my people…”

The retired educator’s enduring lesson flows from personal conversations. She visited Murfreesboro’s Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center and obtained names of USCT soldiers who occupied Pulaski as the Cvil War ended. “So, anytime I found a group of African Americans together,” she said, “I would take out my paper with the 2,400 names and I’d ask, ‘What’s your last name?’ They’d tell me and I’d look up their ancestor. Everywhere, nobody knew anything about the USCT even though 2,400 camped here. It’s why the north end of Pulaski is Black.”

Local leaders know Pulaski’s history can’t be changed. They’ve sought reconciliation for decades. “Resurrection of Valor” is another step. See VisitPulaski.com. Nearly a quarter century ago, merchants with stores around the courthouse closed during annual Klan parades and white heritage festivals. This year’s Juneteenth celebration includes a June 18 NAACP march and t-shirts displaying the original drawing of the statue at Cave Springs Park.

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Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association

The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”
The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

By Jana Lang Propel Youth Reporter

Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association

The East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA) and Youth Alive! came together on Aug. 21 to share with their community all that Black August means to them.

Held on EOBA’s patio at 816 98th Ave. in Deep East Oakland, the two organizations hosted their second annual Black August Experience, featuring a food tasting, financial literacy and mindfulness workshops, and voter registration with the League of Women Voters Oakland (LWV).

Black August is known as a time to uphold the legacy of prisoners who protested their conditions by fasting, fighting, and educating themselves on the economic and political circumstances that contributed to their incarceration.

According to its website, “EOBA is a multi-service youth and community development hub that goes far beyond the ring. While rooted in the discipline of boxing, for nearly 40 years EOBA has also integrated robust programs in workforce development, food justice, afterschool enrichment, financial literacy, mentorship, and wellness.”.

The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”

Through Coro California, another leadership organization serving young people across the state for 80 years, they gained a broader understanding of Black August.

EOBA Executive Director Dawna Williams spoke about how much she learned about Black August from the youth who created it. “I let them educate me,” she said. Instead of talking about prison reform and mass incarceration, Williams and youth interns found that Black August meant so much more. “We would have done a disservice if we had just focused on who the people were and what their situation was…We tried to take their message from back in the day and make it relevant to the young people today. What do they need to know?”

Youth interns created and placed posters around the patio to help participants understand how traditional Black foodways, civic engagement, financial literacy, and the power of education are relevant to Black resistance today.

An EOBA member described Black August with Youth ALIVE! as “a whole vibe. “This year we added the Fun Zone for the kids, because you really cannot go wrong with a Fun Zone. I also loved seeing everyone chillin’ in the outdoor lounge, catching some Vitamin D and just enjoying a Friday evening together.”

The food tasting, a popular event from last year, featured traditional Black foods such as black-eyed peas, johnny cakes, and fried chicken. Led by Williams, the tasting included a talk about how these traditional foods were made and why they are forms of Black resilience.

The “‘Plate of History’ was a favorite of the online writers. “Fun, educational, and did I mention delicious? Our Taste of History cook, Angela Southall, served up some good eats while connecting food to history and culture.”

The writer also commended the “League of Women Voters Oakland for their civic leadership and for getting our young people informed, ready, and registered to vote.”

Overall, it was a “good Friday event in East Oakland,” the writer said.

Upcoming Black August events: Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), will host “Black August: The Arc of Liberation” at Oakland City Hall on Sat. Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The websites for East Oakland Boxing Association, Youth Alive! and CORO are sources for this report.

Jana Lang is an Oakland resident, teacher, gardener and poet participating in the Propel News Initiative.

The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts

Is your home EV charging setup ready? Dealerships may not warn you about critical outlet and circuit needs. Find out before you plug in!
The post EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

Dealerships won’t tell you: charging this big battery at home isn’t always simple. Verify your outlet capacity, circuit, and setup before assuming level one or basic outdoor outlets will suffice.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/A9Cd2SspoaQ

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Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts

Don’t get tricked at the dealership! Learn essential car buying secrets to secure the best deal and avoid hidden traps.
The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

Before stepping into a dealership, secure bank pre-approval for your financing rate. Then, get the out-the-door price in writing. Never discuss monthly payments until that number is fixed. Test road noise and rear visibility yourself. Decline add-ons with a simple ‘Not today’. Check backseat space with your tallest household member.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/maAOBjO1puY

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The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.