Category Archives: African American History

My Roots Foundation seeks to discover and honor the accomplishments of those who have come before us.  In celebration of black history month, we would like to invite you to consider the accomplishments of Glenwood Burden Sr., who in 1961 became the first African American to attend Goldsboro High School in Goldsboro, North Carolina. You… Continue reading →

This photo collage represents my grandfather, Ned Felder. It shows a newspaper clipping about him, his 48-star flag, and his Presidential Memorial Certificate presented to my grandmother by President John Kennedy.  Born 2 days before Christmas 1894, grandfather, grew up in Alachua County Florida.  When he was 19 years old, World War I began in… Continue reading →

Alonzo’s Guide for African American Research Why? Because your research can hit a wall at the 1870 census! Research into the past lives of African Americans can present challenges due to the institution of slavery. Because slavery classified people of African ancestry as property and livestock instead of as people, census records can be spotty… Continue reading →

Culture and History Museums In keeping with the mission of My Roots Foundation of honoring our ancestors we present the following release detailing African American Museums in America. These museums often display historical artifacts dedicated to cultural preservation and to telling the stories of African American contributions. Museum tours can be great ways of learning… Continue reading →

Well here we are once again on the crest of another July 4th. Each year I take some time to read the speech given at Rochester, NY on July 5, 1852 by Fredrick Douglass.  This year as I searched for a copy of the speech, I came across a performance of (at least a part… Continue reading →