The Gist of Freedom Preserving American History through Black Literature . . .

Dr. Sidney Davis, Queen Mother Dr. Delores Blakely, Queen Quet of the Gullah Geechee Nation and Stella Antley,"Reparations Advocate" for The Slave Holding Me on FB will be discussing the March 25th, 2015 unveiling of the United Nation's Slavery Memorial and why there was a notable absence of African-Americans representing our ancestors who were enslaved here, due to not being invited to that event August 13th at 8pm ET, please call in 347.324.5552 ~The Gist of Freedom ~www.blackhistoryblog.com

Arriving by train from Washington D.C. on July 18, 1855 was slaver Col. John H. Wheeler of North Carolina; and a black enslaved woman Jane Johnson; and her two sons, Daniel and Isaiah. Wheeler was the American minister to Nicaragua, and his party was passing through, on their way to New York. Wheeler left Jane and her sons locked in a hotel room, giving specific instructions not to talk to any of the black hotel staff. Jane, however, did just that, informing a black worker that she was a slave who wanted to be free. The hotel worker drafted a note to William Still, the African American head of the Vigilance Committee of the local Underground Railroad, and sent it off to Still at the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society office at 153 N. 5th St.(C). Still alerted his white colleague, Passmore Williamson, at his office on 7th and Arch (point D), and they raced off to the hotel. They arrived as the 5 o’clock ferry was about to depart and approached the Wheeler party accompanied by five black dockworkers -- John Ballard, James P. Braddock, William Curtis, James Martin and Isaac Moore -- who quickly perceived the situation. Still told Jane that under Pennsylvania law she was a free woman and could leave Wheeler here and now if she wished.

The Gist of Freedom is asking you to join us as we support Dr. Nathan Hare and his wife as they struggle with Alzheimer's. http://www.gofundme.com/Let-Her-Be-Free  "Dr. Julia Hare has been living with Alzheimer’s for several years and was she was recently diagnosed with the End Stage of the condition. Her health providers refused to treat her on an outpatient basis without confinement ( if you are determined to leave and expressly “go home,” they label you a “wanderer” and lock the door.  When I would go to see her in her locked situation, at the end of the visiting hour I would have to conspire with the staff to distract her in order for me to ease out the door and slip away without her. On the other side of the slamming door, secured by the loud click of the prison-like lock, I would hear her realizing my exit and banging on the door and calling my namel.” I took a physician and a lawyer as well as a retired judge and with me and went out and brought her home. Almost as soon as we got home she was getting better. Although most of her medical costs are now being paid by her health insurance company, the cost of caregivers is staggering and relentless. Four years ago when we were undeniably blindsided by this diabolical and incurable condition, several persons suggested that I let it be known and accept donations to help preserve the freedom and dignity of the proud and inimitable lady I promised, fifty-seven years ago, to protect and “To Love and to Cherish”. I am now following their advice and posting this donation request. Although we are advised by the Good Book to share and share alike, keep in mind that it’s the little things that count and, as one of Aesop's fables reminds us, no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."

The Gist of Freedom is pleased to welcome Arthur Browne, author of One Righteous Man:Samuel Battle and the Shattering of the Color Line in New York! In this Sept. 4, 1941 file photo, Lt. Samuel Battle gets a kiss from his 4-year-old granddaughter, Yvonne, at City Hall, where he was sworn in as the city's first black parole commissioner.  AP Photo, File In his latest book, Browne — who currently serves as the Daily News editorial page editor — presents a biography of New York City’s first African-American police officer. Based on an unfinished manuscript by Langston Hughes and Browne’s own research, “One Righteous Man” tells the story of Samuel Battle’s groundbreaking rise through the ranks of the NYPD, a decades-long odyssey that is both the story of one man’s unwavering dedication to racial progress and a harbinger of the divisions between police and the communities they serve that plague America today.

Listen to Speech of Arrested Development Premiere his hot new new single UP!!!! An excellent interview with Speech and host Shellie Gaines on The Gist of Freedom, www.blackhistoryblgo.com. Speech and family own and operate a corn business, a juice business and an African American newspaper in Milwaukee, called the Milwaukee Community Journal. In 2005 Speech became an ordained minister “My most proud achievement is my marriage to Yolanda, (we’ve been together over 17 years), our two children  and my faith in Jesus, which is my strength & guidance. Speech maintains an incredibly busy lifestyle which includes, special collaborations; a weekly radio broadcast called “Musical Safari” and he hosts a monthly networking event in Atlanta,The  Mixtape Mixer and organizes a bi-yearly conference called the Arts and Entertainment conference. London had the opportunity to indulge in Arrested Development's positive vibes this month.  The group lit up the PepsiMax stage at the New Look Wireless Festival presented by Live Nation. The festival's lineup included Drake, De La Soul, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, Nicki Minaj and more!

Tesla Documentary, Tower To The People, Filmmaker Joseph Sikorski If Your Hate Could Be Turned Into Electricity, it would LIGHT UP the WORLD! -Nikola Tesla   Watch the Egypt-Tesla Connection! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuINhmT3V8Y You can see the trailer here: https://vimeo.com/105653904 and   If you want your own copy of the movie, you can still get one here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuINhmT3V8Y ------------ Nikola Tesla symbolizes a unifying force and inspiration for all nations in the name of peace and science. He was a true visionary far ahead of his contemporaries in the field of scientific development. New York State and many other states in the USA proclaimed July 10, Tesla’s birthday- Nikola Tesla Day. Alternating current became standard power in the 20th Century. He designed the first hydroelectric powerplant in Niagara Falls in 1895, which was the final victory of alternating current. Tesla was a pioneer in many fields. The Tesla coil, which he invented in 1891.  Among his discoveries are the fluorescent light , laser beam, wireless communications, wireless transmission of electrical energy, remote control, robotics, Tesla’s turbines and vertical take off aircraft. Tesla is the father of the radio and the modern electrical transmissions systems. He registered over 700 patents worldwide.

GENE ALEXANDER PETERS, a world renowned Collector had the distinct honor & privilege of meeting, visiting with, and PRIVATELY TOURING Villa Lewaro, America's first female self-made millionaire, the late Madam CJ Walker's estate!   Gene Alexander Peters is a cultural history consultant and collector of rare African American artifacts. Using his acclaimed collection -- “THE GENE ALEXANDER PETERS COLLECTION OF RARE & HISTORIC AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTIFACTS” -- he specializes in providing museum exhibitions and educational consultative services. His collection has been exhibited nationally at numerous landmark educational institutions and museums, including the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, NY and the Smithsonian Museum-Anacostia in Washington, DC.  Additionally, select collection items have been showcased in book publications such as Jubilee: The Emergence of African American Culture (2003), Captive Passage: The Transatlantic Slave Trade and the Making of America (2002), and also featured in the NBC-TV television production 'ROOTS: Celebrating 25 Years' (2002).  Mr. Peters has also lectured and exhibited at various national educational conferences and international cultural history conferences, including Senegal (Dakar), Ghana (Accra), and Brazil (Bahia).    Mr. Peters is a member of the National Council on Educating Black Children and the Association of African American Museums.  He is also a past recipient of the prestigious 'Volunteer-of-the-Year' award from the National Park Service - New York African Burial Ground Project. He currently serves on the board at the Schomburg Corporation and at the Board for the Education of People of African Ancestry (@ The Dr. John Henrik Clarke House), both located in Harlem, NY. For additional information, please visit his website at: WWW.SLAVEHISTORY.ORG.  

Join Edward-Yemíl Rosario (Eddie), the former Associate director for the Correctional Association’s Prison as we discuss prison reform, the book, The New Jim Crow and the new special prosecutor appointed by Governor Cuomo today in New York. His role is to investigate civilian deaths by officers. It comes after a push for more transparency in the death of Eric Garner. It comes after a push for more transparency in the death of Eric Garner. Cuomo explained his decision and also addressed his ongoing feud with the Mayor Bill de Blasio in a phone interview Thursday morning. Watch the interview here: http://pix11.com/ Edward-Yemíl Rosario (Eddie), Was recently an Associate director for the Correctional Association’s Prison visiting project and before that, the project director for the Fifth Avenue Committee’s Developing Justice project. Eddie holds a BS degree in Applied Psychology from New York University and attended Columbia University’s School of Social Work. Deeply interested in understanding the mechanisms that assist people in effecting lasting change, Eddie views the synergy between knowledge and action as crucial to human development. Mr. Rosario’s own experiences as a formerly incarcerated person have contributed to his passion for changing criminal justice policies and helping people move their lives in a positive direction and explore opportunities that would otherwise be closed to them. A mere 2% (3,125) of the Counties in the United States are responsible for 50% of the executions and death penalty sentencing .      

Tonight @ 8pm Join Artisan, Nona Faustine, The Black Woman Artist who Posed Nude at Former New York City Slave Trading Sites, Including Wall Street!  bit.ly/WallSt_AuctionBlock   www.blackhistoryblog.com www.blackhistoryUniversity.com When the slave trade ships arrived in the Caribbean with their sick, abused and stolen cargo of Africans, the merchant slavers, nicknamed ‘Scramblers’ would be the first to board. They would scramble aboard to get the first look at and the first pick of the most healthy and good looking of the captive Africans. Then they would separate them out from the rest and move them to a corner of the deck to keep them apart. They ‘cornered the market’. Please try to be mindful of this expression, don’t use it and let others know where it comes from.  Slavery “[White and Black Indentured (Temporary enslavement)] was introduced to Manhattan (then New Amsterdam) in 1626 and, for two centuries, remained a significant part of New York life. In 1711 when chattel slavery (permanent enslavement) was introduced , the New York City Common Council declared Wall Street the city’s first official slave market on December 13, 1711.   It was deemed a space where human beings could be enslaved for the day or for the week. The slave market took the shape of a wooden structure with open sides, and held approximately 50 people at a time. It operated as such, on the corner of Wall Street and Pearl Street in the heart of the Financial District, until 1762. Slavery was legally abolished in New York in 1827.”

We are pleased to introduce to you Author Francine Still-Hicks! Francine is the direct descendant of entrepreneur and philanthropist William Still. A black abolitionist, Mr. Still authored the 800 plus page book,The Underground Railroad which is comprised of Records of Facts and Authentic Narratives. Still was Harriet Tubman's Financier, Social Media Guru, Publicst and Friend! The New York Times described Mr. Still in his obiturary as the "Negro Known as "Father of the Underground Railroad" -- Once a Slave, He Died Very Wealthy" He died a millionaire. Listen to The Gist of Freedom Archives at www.BlackHistoryUniversity.com and WWW.BlackHistoryBlog.com Francine is Bringing the genealogy of family history as a conduit - passage way - the underground to finding... "You!" Using "A Girl Named Charity" as a comparison of a modern day plantation we are living in todays society we can overcome! The hardships, obstacles and competitive world around us - we must never give up our "Hope, Faith and Charity" to find our way to the Freedom. Once you are on your path to liberation you will discover your true self in side - "The Me I Never Was!" "The Me I Never Was" gently guiding us into the emancipation of all labels placed upon us. Stripping the chains that has bound us from who we were born to be - and discovering a "boundless spirit" born with an authentic matrix! Looking Forward in Peace & Freedom, Francine

Educator Extraordinaire, Dr. Naomi Johnson-Booker, Founder of The Global Academy talks with Roy Paul on The Gist of Freedom, www.blackHistoryUniversity.com Global Leadership Academy Charter School (GLA) is a Kindergarten through Eighth Grade school with two wonderfully organized small learning communities located in West and Northeast Philadelphia. GLA is a holistic teaching and learning environment. GLA's goal is to provide a solid educational program developed through global studies and leadership skills to develop future leaders of the world. ------  "On Tuesday night, Global Leadership Academy Charter School in West Philadelphia held its lottery for grades kindergarten through 8. Parents were on the edge of their seats because they know what's at stake. About 500 more parents joined the gamble this year. GLA believes it's because of the controversy surrounding Philadelphia School District closures. Once those names were called, there was a lot of joy.     "I'm excited. I'm happy. My oldest son goes to GLA so I know what's in store and I'm happy," Nicole Chism of West Philadelphia said. http://www.glacharter.org    

“The Journals of Osborne P. Anderson” is about John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry in 1859 in an attempt to free the slaves of Virginia and the black men who fought alongside him. Harper’s Ferry is considered by many to be the catalyst for Southern secession which ultimately led to the Civil War.  The play combines Lange’s signature drama and comedy as it peels away traditional stereotypes prevalent in the South before the Civil War. He educates audiences with vivid characters and historical facts from the rarely told black perspective. Actor Ted Lange is most often recognized for starring as Isaac Washington, the lovable bartender on the hit series “The Love Boat” for ten seasons but he is also an award-winning theatre director and  playwright. Ted’s new play which he wrote and directed “The Journals of Osborne P. Anderson,” is currently performing in Los Angeles through June 28th.  This is the third play in Ted’s historical trilogy, which includes “George Washington’s Boy” and “Lady Patriot.”   “The Journals of Osborne P. Anderson” is about John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry in 1859 in an attempt to free the slaves of Virginia and the black men who fought alongside him. Harper’s Ferry is considered by many to be the catalyst for Southern secession which ultimately led to the Civil War.  The play combines Lange’s signature drama and comedy as it peels away traditional stereotypes prevalent in the South before the Civil War. He educates audiences with vivid characters and historical facts from the rarely told black perspective.    

The Gist of Freedom is pleased to welcome Professor Robert Pallito, author of In the Shadow of the Great Charter. In the Supreme Court's 2008 ruling on whether Guantanamo detainees could be barred from U.S. courts, Justice Anthony Kennedy cited both the U.S. Constitution and the Magna Carta. Why would a 21st-century judge invoke a document signed by an English king in the 13th century? As professor  Robert Pallitto,  author of In the Shadow of the Great Charter; shows, Magna Carta's legacy in the United States reaches back to the nation's founding, with even the colonial charters reflecting its influence and principles that protect the rights and liberty of the citizenry. A book signing follows the program.   Magna Carta Day: June 15-800th Anniversary of Magna Carta Magna Carta Cake Monday, June 15, 1:30-2:30 p.m. National Archives, Washington D.C ~ William G. McGowan Theater Lobby Click here for more info http://www.archives.gov/calendar/ In celebration of the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta, join us for a slice of Magna Carta cake! Free cake with an image of Magna Carta will be served to the first 200 attendees.   An image of Magna Carta will be icing on the cake!

"If A Good cop actually used forced to stop the murder of my dad then he would be alive today." ~ Erica Garner WWW.BlackHistoryBlog.com | WWW.BlackhistoryUniversity.com Erica Garner, the daughter of chokehold victim Eric Garner will discuss the latest indictments and arrest of police with guest host, Dashon Farad on The Gist of Freedom. ----- Texas Cop who threw girl to ground and pointing his pistol at other black youths resigns. It appears two Good Cops saved the lives of the two teens Casebolt drew his gun on the teens while they tried to assist a teenager being assaulted by Casebolt. The two officers in this brief video represent two different policing styles: the Guardian and the Warrior. As a former police officer and current policing scholar, I know that an officer’s mindset has tremendous impact on police/civilian encounters.

Join Historian and African American Artifacts Collector, Philip Merrill on The Gist of Freedom as he lectures on Rev. Peter Fossett and other historical related topics. Entrepreneur and Underground Railroad Conductor ~Rev. Peter Fossett (1815 -1901) At the age of 11, Fossett's life took a turn for the worst in 1826. On July 4, 1826, Jefferson died. While Jefferson freed Fossett's father in his will, the remainder of the Fossett family still remained in bondage, being sold at auction in January 1827. Peter Fossett was enslaved by John R. Jones. Fossett's father attempted to purchase Peter's freedom, but Jones refused to sell his son Peter so him. In 1843, after purchasing several family members' freedom, Joseph Fossett moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, leaving Peter behind in Virginia still in bondage. Joseph Fossett made several trips back to Virginia to see his enslaved family members. Twice, Peter Fossett tried to run away to join his family in Ohio. Both times his owner recaptured him. ------ In 1994, Philip Merrill founded the organization Nanny Jack & Company, an archives and consulting agency specializing in creating projects that illuminate the African American experience through memorabilia, oral history and research. The company would eventually house over 30,000 artifacts, including photographs, rare books, folk art, documents, music, dolls, furniture, and quilts. Nanny Jack & Company would go on to collaborate with various educational organizations and television channels, including The Smithsonian Institution’s Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History and Culture, the Discovery Channel, the Maryland Historical Society, Maryland Public Television, and the History Channel. In 1996, Merrill became an appraiser with the Public Broadcasting Service’s (PBS) television show Antiques Roadshow.