Panel 2: Education Stories of Twentieth Century Virginia

Panel 2: Education Stories of Twentieth Century Virginia
Moderator: Dr. Phyllis Slade Martin

Dr. Yvonne Smith-Jones, Mrs. Denise Smith, and Mrs. Brenda Jones Cotman, “Reclaiming the Gifts of the One-Room Schoolhouse in telling the Back Story of Black Political Activism in Charles City, Virginia”
As Black people in Charles City, Virginia heals from being second-class citizens, knowing the history of the trailblazers is vital in understanding the "who" and "why" as the county moves forward. In 1959, Ebony magazine identified Charles City as "Virginia's Model County" in Black political activism. Emphasis will be placed on the prime movers from the 1940s to 60s. This session will unfold the narrative of how community builders struggled and strived to pave the path to helping future generations become the receivers of the opportunities. These presenters will reveal the narrative with visualizations, artifacts and engage in a Questioning and Answering period. The impact of the trailblazers resulted in a highway marker erected on October 15, 2023. Let's Build Communities.

Valerie Alfisha Valentine, “The Birthday Cake (Short Story of Segregated School for Negro Students)”
The practice of segregation demanded both Black and white school age children attend separate schools. All Negro children from the Upper Peninsula –whether rich, poor, middle class, and the Military Bases attended George Washington Carver Elementary and High School. The commute was a long one, as our community was an old one settled by Free People of Color circa 1775 on the banks of the York River, just miles from Williamsburg, known as "The Reservation." During a 6th Grade class lesson, students took turns sharing an experience from a birthday. When it was her turn, a shy, quiet, gifted student in hung her head when it was her turn. In soft tones, she explained she had never had a birthday celebration. Her comments touched me to the point of shock and surprise! The antiquated Negro teacher, smooth in her next move, rephrased the question so Nina could contribute. I thought, WHAT? We’re going to just move on from this revelation? Something had to be done. I took note of the actions exemplified by my family and community of long-standing relatives who were self-reliant, experience, resourceful, welcoming and kind.
“It was the right thing to do” …

Camilla Lewis Tramuel, “Early African American Education”
Until 1866 and the beginning of the Freedmen’s Bureau, there were no schools in the South or the Confederate states available for black or white children to attend. Thanks to President Abraham Lincoln and the Freedmen’s Bureau, black adults and children got the chance to read and write in public. In 1870, however, Virginia adopted a public school system, setting the education for blacks a step backwards with a “separate but unequal education system”. Most of the funds for public schools was spent for white school children.
This presentation will discuss the impact of black schools in New Kent, York, James City, and Charles City Counties. These schools include the Freedmen Bureau, Rosenwald Schools, one and two-room-colored schools, New Kent Training School, and George W. Watkins High School in New Kent County. It will also discuss the Freedmen Bureau, Rosenwald Schools, one/two room-colored schools, James City County Training School in James City County from 1866 to 1870 when all schools in the United States were fully integrated due to Green vs County School Board of New Kent County.