Oak Ridge Today

Scarboro-Oak Ridge 85 honored in events this week

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The 85 students who integrated Oak Ridge schools in 1955 are being honored in events this week.

The “Rooted in the Community” reunion events have been organized by the Scarboro Community Alumni Association. They are scheduled from Thursday, September 2, to Sunday, September 5.

“The event honors those Scarboro-Oak Ridge TN 85 students who integrated the schools as well as the Scarboro teachers,” said John Spratling in a recent interview. Spratling is the vice president of the organization and the Scarboro endowment fund established to honor the teachers and students by supporting enrichment programs such as ACT Prep Testing, leadership training, scholarships, and youth community service projects, a press release said.

“In 1955, 85 courageous young African American students from the Scarboro community were asked to be the first to enter all-white Robertsville junior and Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, Tennessee,” the press release said. “The reunion honors those 85 students and the Scarboro School teachers that provided inspiration and tools to prepare them for this new journey.”

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Oak Ridge celebrating 65th anniversary of school desegregation

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Four of the “Oak Ridge 85” students at a recent music event. From left to right are Larry Gipson (Oak Ridge 85), Eric Dozier (musician), Deloise Mitchell (Oak Ridge 85), Emma McCaskill (Oak Ridge 85), and Mary Guinn (Oak Ridge 85). (Photo by Barbara McCord)

Oak Ridge is celebrating the 65th anniversary of its school desegregation this weekend.

“Sixty-five years ago this September, 85 brave and dedicated young African American students entered all-white classrooms in the Oak Ridge High School and the Robertsville Junior High School in Oak Ridge, Tennessee in a historic school system desegregation,” organizers said in a press release.

It wasn’t the first public school desegregation in the nation, but organizers said it was the first public school desegregation in the Southeast.

“As such, it challenged the racist and sometimes dangerous Jim Crow culture,” the press release said. “This desegregation stands as an important milestone in American civil rights history.”

The anniversary events are being held with the Oak Ridge school system. Public participation in some events had to be scaled back because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Human Rights Rally on Saturday in Oak Ridge

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Human Rights Rally Marchers in Rain 2019
Marchers at the first Human Rights Rally in Oak Ridge in 2019. (Submitted photo)

The second Human Rights Rally in Oak Ridge will be held on Saturday, January 18, at 2 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

The organizers of the “Human Rights Rally:  How Can You Help?” event stated in a news release that the doors will be open at 1 p.m. for making signs for the march that will follow the 2 p.m. program of speakers and music.

Mark Flynn, pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge, will serve as the moderator. Speakers will include Lissie Meza Beehan, Jake Morrill, Kesha Shipe Waters, and Rose Weaver. Topics will range from the rights of children and LGBTQ rights to the challenges for the immigrant community in Oak Ridge, a press release said.

Music will be provided by the Oak Valley Voice of Praise, the ORUUC Sorta Singers, and the First Presbyterian Church Choir.

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Learn more about history of desegregation on Sept. 9

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Rose Weaver
Rose Weaver

You can learn more about the history of desegregation and profiles of those who have shaped the area during a September 9 meeting in Oak Ridge.

It’s a kick-off meeting for Women’s Interfaith Dialogue of Oak Ridge. It is scheduled to start with a brief meet-and-greet at 10:45 a.m. Monday, Saturday 9, at St. Stephens Episcopal Church at 212 North Tulane Avenue, and the program will start at 11 a.m.

Rose Weaver—an active member of the Oak Ridge community, a poet, and a historian—is currently working on researching the history of desegregation of the area and the people who have had the greatest impacts in shaping Oak Ridge, a press release said.

Weaver will also speak about the exciting NAACP Tennessee State Convention that is being hosted in Oak Ridge from Thursday, September 26, through Saturday, September 28, the press release said.

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Scarboro Community Alumni have reunion, festivities this month

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Picture of African Dancers in the 2016 parade in Scarboro. (Submitted photo)

Picture of African Dancers in the 2016 parade in Scarboro. (Submitted photo)

 

The Scarboro Community Alumni Association will have a weekend of festivities this month as part of Oak Ridge’s 75th anniversary celebration.

It’s a reunion scheduled from July 27-July 30.

The 2018 theme, “Connecting the Dots,” commemorates the generations that made lifestyle choices that affect the growth and development of a vibrant Scarboro and Oak Ridge community, a press release said.

“Some additional 200 persons will return back to Oak Ridge to rekindle old memories of growing up in the Scarboro community,” the release said.

Festivities will begin with the Meet and Greet held Friday, July 27, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Scarboro Community Center at 148 Carver Avenue. There, people may receive their registration information, talk with old friends, and enjoy music and appetizers, the press release said. [Read more…]

Anderson County Democratic Party celebrating Black History Month tonight

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Ebony Capshaw

Ebony Capshaw

 

The Anderson County Democratic Party will celebrate Black History Month at its meeting and potluck from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, February 22, at the Claxton Community Center, a press release said. The guests will include a candidate for Anderson County trustee.

Everyone is encouraged to bring a main dish, side dish, or dessert to share for the potluck, the press release said.

“However, as always, all are welcome, and bringing food is optional,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Weaver to discuss the African-American experience in Oak Ridge on Monday

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Rose Weaver

Rose Weaver, an active member of the Oak Ridge community who has a passion for preserving the history of its African-American presence. (Submitted photo)

 

Rose Weaver, an active member of the Oak Ridge community who has a passion for preserving the history of the African-American presence since the city’s inception, will be the featured speaker at a Monday meeting of Women’s Interfaith Dialogue of Oak Ridge, a press release said.

“The public is invited to come and learn how African-Americans also contributed to the development of Oak Ridge during the early years of World War II and how life for African-Americans was different than it is today,” the press release said. “(Weaver’s) presentation will feature many famous Ed Westcott photos along with information about several prominent African-American scientists.”

The meeting is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. Monday, May 1, at the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge, the Beth El Center, at 101 West Madison Lane in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Weaver presents program on African-American involvement in Manhattan Project to Oak Ridge youth

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On February 22, in honor of Black History Month, Rose Weaver, in conjunction with Manhattan Project National Historical Park, presented an informative program on African-American involvement in the Manhattan Project and the creation of the “Secret City.” (Photo courtesy Manhattan Project National Historical Park)

On February 22, in honor of Black History Month, Rose Weaver, in conjunction with Manhattan Project National Historical Park, presented an informative program on African-American involvement in the Manhattan Project and the creation of the “Secret City.” (Photo courtesy Manhattan Project National Historical Park)

 

On February 22, in honor of Black History Month, Rose Weaver, in conjunction with Manhattan Project National Historical Park, presented an informative program on African-American involvement in the Manhattan Project and the creation of the “Secret City.”

Weaver is an active member of the Oak Ridge community and has a passion for preserving the history of the African-American presence since the city’s inception, a press release said. During the past 15 years, Weaver and her late brother, Terry Weaver, have been gathering oral histories and artifacts for a traveling exhibit to tell the stories of the rich history of Oak Ridge and to share with area youth.

She gave her program to a group of 20 young girls at Girls Inc. in Oak Ridge, the press release said. The girls are participating in a year-long educational program called Parks in Focus. The goal of the program is to educate the youths about the natural/cultural history of the area as well as basic photography skills. [Read more…]

Scarboro Alumni Association celebrating with parade, Fun Day, Scholarship Banquet

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2014 Scarboro Reunion photo by Luther Simmons

2014 Scarboro Reunion photo by Luther Simmons

 

The Scarboro Community Alumni Association will hold a weekend of festivities July 29-30 that will include a parade, Fun Day, and Scholarship Banquet.

A Meet and Greet will be held Friday, July 29, starting at 6 p.m. at the Fraternal Order of Eagles located at 1650 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

Beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 30, organizations, churches, schools, political officials, and entertainers will participate in a parade starting from Spurgeon Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, going left on Benedict Avenue, left on Dillard Avenue, right on Hampton Road (passing the old Scarboro School Site), right on Wilberforce, and ending at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, a press release said.

The Fun Day event will follow with an array of food and non-food vendors, music, and activities for youth and adults at the Scarboro Community Center, which is at 148 Carver Avenue, from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. [Read more…]

NAACP has candlelight memorial service for shooting victims

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The Oak Ridge and Anderson County chapter of the NAACP will have a candlelight memorial service on Wednesday night to remember the young men and women who have died unnecessarily after being shot in American cities, a press release said.

The memorial service will start at 9 p.m. Wednesday in front of the area maintained by the Scarboro Community Neighborhood Watch at Wilberforce and Benedict avenues. It’s been organized by the NAACP Oak Ridge/Anderson County Branch #5607, and it comes less than two weeks after the death of Michael Brown, 18, an unarmed black teenager who was shot by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, sparking daily protests and tense standoffs.

“These young men and women had the potential of becoming the finest citizens in this great country, but their lives abruptly ended by the action of a gunman,” the press release said. “The tragedy in Missouri serves as a prime example, that we the people of God need to always pray for justice and peace in this United States of America.”

“Please bring a candle,” said the press release, sent by Rose Weaver on behalf of The Rev. Walter Ghosten, president of the Oak Ridge/Anderson County NAACP Unit. “Area ministers will be present.”

Scarboro Reunion this weekend includes parade, Fun Day

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The Scarboro Community Alumni Association is having its second biennial reunion from July 25 to 28.

In 2012, an over-capacity crowd of some 400 elementary school students, Scarboro neighborhood residents, and Oak Ridge residents participated in the event. It is the committee’s hope that the number will double this year.

Scarboro is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Oak Ridge.

The East Tennessee community is invited to attend a Saturday, July 26, parade beginning at Grey Strang Ball Field at 9 a.m., turning left onto Benedict Avenue, turning right onto Dillard and right onto Wilberforce, ending at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Parade participants will include MAC SOSA (Brian Jones), renowned rapper; Little Miss Scarboro, Lyric Loette Fletcher; and Little Mr. Scarboro, Jayden Lamar Davis; Alpha Kappa Alpha, Xi Iota Omega Chapter; Delta Sigma Theta Alumni Chapter, Oak Ridge; representatives of the military community, coordinated by David Sims; City of Oak Ridge officials; Oak Ridge Fire Department; Oak Ridge Police Department; Buffalo Soldriers-Wilbert Minter (horse riders); Knoxville Motorcycle Club; Oak Ridge High Class of 1971, coordinated by Ruby Henderson; Mt. Zion Praise Team; Spurgeon Chapel Church; Destined Devoted Divas; political officials; African Dance Team; and more. [Read more…]