BLACK HISTORY MONTH: CAPE GIRARDEAU STYLE

Black History Month runs through Feb. 28. It is a time set aside to honor the contributions of African-Americans to the United States. Even more, it is a time to learn about the contributions this group has made locally.

In Cape Girardeau, the mound builders, and the French, English and German settlers all have some type of recorded history; however, African-Americans have not been able to log their contributions to the city and the area as well as other ethnic groups.

This is mainly because for many years, the contributions of local African-Americans were ignored and unnoticed because they were the slaves and the working poor. However, from the area plantation owners who benefited from slave labor to the city's river trade, which prospered on the backs of St. Louis roustabouts who helped move merchandise, African-Americans have played an important role in the growth and development of Cape Girardeau.

"We owe a lot to our forefathers, both locally and nationally, for opening doors so that we can achieve success," said J.J. Williamson. He is the first African-American city councilman in Cape Girardeau, and the first African-American to own an insurance agency in the city.

Many early African-Americans in the area worked as slaves and servants. Several notable figures stood out even in their subservient roles, including Jane Renfro, a slave belonging to St. Vincent's Catholic College who was freed by order of the Pope. College administrators had decided to sell Renfro because they didn't need her anymore, but a papal decree was issued freeing all slaves owned by Catholic institutions, and she was placed in a Catholic family.

As time progressed and laws changed, vendors, merchants and other professionals were added to the list of well-known African-Americans in Cape Girardeau. Included in this portion of history is Frank Carroll, a well-known fruit, pie and hot tamale vender who worked during the early 1900s. Carroll was known for his boisterous and jaunty selling style and was a prosperous businessman for much of his life.

Today, Williamson exists as a politician in the ranks of local African-American history. He is but one in a list of outstanding African-American figures who hold positions as varied as attorneys, university professionals, and doctors and surgeons.

Williamson said although he is recognized for his accomplishments, he does not plan to rest on his successes. "Everybody should feel that in order to keep the legacy that our forefathers gave us alive, and we have to continue to strive and ask ourselves how we can continue to make those advances," he said. "It's a good feeling to know I have had the opportunity to have the successes I have, but I need to work to open doors for the next generation."

The contributions of African-Americans have not been well-recorded locally, but some records do exist. Churches, city and county libraries and offices, and even some families have kept documents that help tell the story.

February has been set aside as a time to investigate these contributions.

TRIVIA QUIZ

Who is the president of the Cape Girardeau chapter of the N.A.A.C.P.?

a. Michael Sterling was elected president on Thursday, Jan. 23, 1997.

What was the first African American church in Cape Girardeau and when was it founded?

a. St. James A.M.E. Church, now located at 516 North, was formed in 1863.

What was the orginal name of John S. Cobb School, when was it built and when did it burn?

a. John S. Cobb School, originally named Lincoln School, was built in 1890. The entire school except for the gym burned in 1953.

Name the eight historically black Greek-letter organizations.

a. Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Omega Psi Phi, Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, and Sigma Gamma Rho.

Name the highest-ranking African American and his/her title in the College of Education at Southeast Missouri State University.

a. Dr. Shirley Stennis-Williams is the dean of the College of Education at Southeast.

What famous Beale Street blues singer has family ties in Cape Girardeau that prompted her to perform at Port Cape Girardeau restaurant in 1991?

a. Joyce Cobb is the great-granddaughter of John S. Cobb, a former black educator and principal of John S. Cobb School.

How many African Americans are featured on the Missouri Wall of Fame on Water Street?

a. Seven African Americans are featured on the Wall of Fame. They are: George Washington Carver, research scientist; Scott Joplin, pianist and composer; Dred Scott, a slave who became involved in a major court decision; Langston Hughes, author and songwriter; Redd Foxx, actor and comedian; Lou Brock, baseball player; and Josephine Baker, singer.