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African Americans History

Signature WHILBR items about African Americans History

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The Poor People's Campaign was organized by Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Council (SCLC). Its primary goal was to address issues of economic justice for the nation's poor. The Campaign originated in Mississippi and was to culminate in a major march in Washington, DC. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, but the campaign continued under the leadership of the Reverend Ralph David Abernathy who also assumed the presidency of the SCLC.

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These Black Panther buttons are from the late 1960s and very early 1970s. Individuals identified on these particular buttons include Bobby Seale and Huey Newton. The Black Panther Party (for Self Defense) was founded in Oakland, California in 1966. It was seen as an alternative to the non-violent civil rights movement. The Black Panthers believed that blacks should arm themselves in a liberation struggle and would early on experience several violent confrontations with the police.

Tanya Darr - playground queen, 1956

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City Playground Royalty

Miss Donna Stumbaugh (center), daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Stumbaugh, Reynolds Street, last night was named City Playground Queen for 1956. Runners-up were Miss Carol Jean Decker, of Ridgedale play lot, left, and Miss Tanya Darr, of Carver play lot.

Tanya Ley Darr graduated from Allegany High School in 1960 in the Commercial course of study.

Tommy Lee and Bobby Cleggett

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Tommy Lee and Bobby Cleggett

Shaking hands in this photograph are, on the left, Tommy Lee, while on the right is Bobby Cleggett. Robert W. "Bob" Cleggett, Sr. was born in 1941, was a graduate of Fort Hill High School, and passed away in 2005.

Tommy Lee's father was Major Thomas Lee, a well-known area musician who is depicted playing the piano elsewhere on this website. His grandfather was Major T. Lee who was the subject of the following excerpt from Cumberland, Maryland Through the Eyes of Herman Miller:

Black history museum opening

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Black history museum opening
Heritage society wants to raise awareness of culture

MARIA D. MARTIRANO
Times-News Staff Writer

CUMBERLAND —
Represented by La Soleil Noir, the black sun, the African American Heritage Society of Western Maryland wants to raise awareness of black culture in the tri-state area.

A new museum at 183 N. Centre St. will meet that need.

Just a few blocks from downtown, the two-story brick building with a red roof sits on the corner of Centre and Hanover streets.

Tonya Hardy

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African-American gallery opens Dedication coincides with start of Black History Month

MARIA D. MARTIRANO
Times-News Staff Writer
CUMBERLAND —
February 2, 2002

Even in rough times, blacks showed a dignity and knew they were God's children.

That's what the Rev. Alfred Deas, pastor of the Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, sees when he looks at the various photographs and biographies in the African American Gallery & Gift Shop.