BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center, 415 S. Academy St., is hosting events during February in observation of Black History Month.
Bradley hosts conversations, music and photo exhibit
The Daily News Journal , January 29, 2015
MURFREESBORO — Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center, 415 S. Academy St., is hosting events during February in observation of Black History Month.
The month-long celebration features discussions of Brown v. The Board of Education, a panel discussion with community leaders and local police, and culminates with a jazz and blues performance by Nashville’s Al Green & The Hard Times.
Another special highlight of Black History Month at Bradley Museum is a photography exhibit and presentation from the great-grandchildren of King Ganaway, a native of Murfreesboro, who rose to prominence in the 1920’s as a prize-winning photographer.
At 11 a.m. Feb. 7, learn how the Brown v. Board of Education landmark decision handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1954 has impacted the last 60 years of education in the U.S. Nathaniel Briggs, a descendant of the original desegregation case, Briggs v. Elliott, will give a presentation. Moderator is Mary Wade, former school board chair for Murfreesboro City Schools. Comments on the impact of the case on education in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County will come from Dr. Linda Gilbert, director of Murfreesboro City Schools; Dr. Don Odom, director of Rutherford County Schools; and Wayne Blair, chairman of Rutherford County Board of Education. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public.
Descendants of celebrated 1920’s African-American photographer King Daniel Ganaway will display treasured works, which have not been exhibited since the 1930s, at 11 a.m. Feb. 14.
Ganaway taught himself photography, and after winning a prestigious photo contest with his piece “The Spirit of Transportation,” he was hired as a newspaper photographer 40 years before other African-Americans were hired as newspaper photographers. Attendees have the chance to view Ganaway’s photos, which have not been displayed in more than 75 years, as well as learn of the family’s historical connection to Murfreesboro. Light refreshments will be served and the event is free and open to the public.
Let’s Talk! is set for 4 p.m. Feb. 21. This event provides a platform for dialogue on issues that affect relations between the community and local law enforcement. Join in on this vital discussion between local church leaders, the MTSU NAACP student-chapter, and police officers, including Murfreesboro Chief of Police Glenn Chrisman. The event is free and open to the public.
Black History Month events at Bradley will culminate at 6 p.m. Feb. 27 with a night of jazz and blues featuring Al Green & The Hard Times. This group performs in many popular Nashville venues including Sambuca’s, B.B. King’s, and Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar. This will be the first in a series of after-work smooth jazz events that will be held the fourth Friday at Bradley Museum.
There is a $10 dollar cover charge for the performance, which includes a soul food buffet by locally owned D&J’s BBQ & Catering. Check the museum’s website, bradleymuseum. com, for more information or call Brenda Walton at 615-482-4413.