In 1931, nine Black teenagers—later known as the Scottsboro Boys—were falsely accused of raping two white women, igniting one of the most infamous legal injustices in U.S. history and a global fight for civil rights. Founded in 2010 by the late Sheila Washington, the Scottsboro Boys Museum preserves their story and her legacy, including her pivotal role in securing their posthumous exoneration through the 2013 Scottsboro Boys Act.

In this episode, Executive Director Dr. Tom Reidy joins us to reflect on Washington’s impact, the museum’s role in healing and reconciliation, and the ongoing work of carrying forward justice unfinished.

This episode is dedicated to the work and memory of Scottsboro Boys Museum founder Shelia Washington (1960-2021).

bghpn.org l thescottsboromuseum.com

How do faith, dignity, self-respect, and inter generational land stewardship inform both survival and freedom?

In celebration of Black August and the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, this episode focuses on the Safe House Black History Museum in Greensboro, AL.

In Greensboro, AL, stands a house that once shielded Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from the deadly threats of the Ku Klux Klan on March 21st, 1968, two weeks before his assassination in Memphis, Tennessee. Today, the Safe House Black History Museums honors the everyday foot soldiers of the movement and their sacrifices in the struggle for freedom.

Executive Director Rev. Kervin Jones joins us to discuss preserving the unique culture and history of Alabama's Black belt, honoring the unsung foot soldiers of the movement, confronting the lingering traumas of Jim Crow, and the continuing fight for land retention and freedom.

This episode is dedicated to the work and memory of museum founder Theresa Turner Burroughs (1928-2019).

bghpn.org l safehousemuseum.org

How has the Penn Center functioned as a hub for Black freedom and cultural preservation for over 160 years?

Founded in 1862 as one of the first schools for formerly enslaved people, the Penn Center has long been a cornerstone of Black self-determination on St. Helena Island. Today, it remains a vital force for cultural preservation and land retention in the Gullah Geechee corridor.

In this episode, Executive Director Dr. Robert Adams discusses the modern threats and challenges to the center and St. Helena Island, and how the Center is using traditional education and mutual aid to help families protect their ancestral land.

bghpn.org l https://www.penncenter.com/