COLUMBUS, Ind. — John Mize drove from his Indianapolis home to see his great, great uncle frozen in time amid largely previously unpublicized Bartholomew County history.
Mize was among about 70 other people at The Commons Wednesday for the kickoff of local Black History Month with the opening of the free exhibit, “And Still We Rise: A History of Resilience, Perseverance, Faith and Love” in place on the first floor through Feb. 28.
Local history buffs Paulette Roberts and Brenda Pitts researched and compiled the exhibition that included such jaw-dropping details as abolitionist Frederick Douglass speaking at the Crump Theater in 1873.
“This is magnificent,” said Mize, a former professor at Martin University, the only predominantly Black institution of higher education in Indiana. “Why? Well, partly because this is Indiana. You know, I don’t hold back (with comments).”
Mize saw a 1908 photo of relative Grant Smith, a Black barber whose business once was located near Second Baptist Church, the first predominantly Black church in Bartholomew County — because most African Americans were not welcome at other churches for decades. Stylist Mize became well-known enough in the community to cut the hair of Columbus’ white mayors at the Bartholomew County Courthouse, according to Mize.
Columbus businessman Tom Harmon, a community leader who helped secure financial support for the first-ever comprehensive Black History Month calendar and website at blackhistorycolumbus.com and a number of events, was impressed with the event turnout.
“I didn’t really expect this big of a crowd,” Harmon said in a brief opening ceremony. “This is great to see this on behalf of a community collaborative effort.”
For the complete story, see Thursday’s Republic.
