Event
Historical Marker Acknowledging 75th Anniversary of Expulsion of Black Doctors and the NAACP in 1944: Two-Day Symposium and Dedication
On November 15-16, 2019 The Iberia African American Historical Society (IAAHS) will host a community-wide symposium in recognition of the 75th anniversary of the 1944 incident that resulted in the violent expulsion of all Iberia Parishs Black doctors (Eddie L. Dorsey MD, Howard C. Scoggins MD, Luins Williams MD, Ima A. Pierson DDS) and the leaders of the local NAACP chapter (Herman Faulk, J. Leo Hardy, Octave Lilly, & Franzella Volter). For the first time Black and White citizens of the parish will gather to hear the truth about this incident as told by premier researchers of the case, Dr. Adam Fairclough and Prof. Margaret Burnham.
The public is invited to attend this important and FREE two-day event in New Iberia, LA at the Sliman Theater located in the historic district (129 E. Main St., New Iberia, LA 70560).
Southern University Law Center has partnered with IAAHS to sponsor the Friday, November 15th opening night dinner and speaker in observance of The 1619 Project that marks the 400th anniversary of the beginning of slavery in the United States and its vestigial connections to Jim Crow-era violence like the one that occurred in New Iberia in 1944. The opening night speaker will be prominent law professor, Margaret Burnham of Northeastern University School of Law and founder of the Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project. Prof. Burnhams work has been instrumental in casting light on unsolved cases of Jim Crow-era violence. Dinner will be catered by Anointed Soul.
Thanks to a 2019 Rebirth Grant awarded by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH), IAAHS will host a day of activities on Saturday November 16th (10:00 3:00) including a presentation by featured speaker and retired professor, Dr. Adam Fairclough (Raymond and Beverly Sackler Professor of American History, Leiden University). Other Saturday activities planned include a panel composed of descendants and/or relatives of the doctors and NAACP leaders; the premiere of an original poem composed and read by Louisianas Poet Laureate (2019-2021), John Warner Smith; the unveiling of an original painting by local artist, Paul Schexnayder; and dramatization of the 1944 event in a national podcast (Stinson Liles, Southern Hollows).
The day will culminate with the unveiling of an official Louisiana state historic marker honoring the doctors and NAACP leaders. The marker will be placed at the site of Dr. Eddie L. Dorseys former home (500 French Street, New Iberia, LA 70560). The Iberia Comprehensive Community Health Center has partnered with IAAHS to provide a complimentary lunch for the Saturday symposium attendees.
This program is funded under a grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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LocationSliman Theatre for the Performing Arts (View)
129 East Main Street
New Iberia, LA 70560
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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