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Smokye Joe Frank is featured in the Spring 2024 issue of Alumni Column, the official magazine of Northwestern State University.

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Natchez's James Wiggins featured on MPB radio

Historian James Wiggins recently discussed his new book, “Outliving the White Lie,” on MPB’s Mississippi Edition. He was interviewed by the host, Desare Frazier.

The interview begins at 14:36. Visit this link:

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UPI story on the Rhythm Night Club fire of April 23, 1940

The 84th commemoration of the Rhythm Night Club fire of April 23, 1940, will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Rhythm Night Club Memorial Museum at 5 St. Catherine St., Natchez.

Here’s the UPI story from Aug. 24, 1940.

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84th commemoration of Rhythm Night Club fire slated for Saturday, April 27

Monroe Sago is pictured with the historical marker that tells the story of the Rhythm Night Club Fire. Monroe and his wife, Betty Monroe, are the owners of the Rhythm Night Club Memorial Museum.

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NATCHEZ, Miss. -- The 84th commemoration of the Rhythm Night Club fire of April 23, 1940, will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Rhythm Night Club (on site) Memorial Museum at 5 St. Catherine Street, Natchez. It is free and open to the public.

Thelma Newsome, a retired educator and former member of the Natchez-Adams School District Board of Education, will be the guest speaker. A $500 (or more) scholarship will be presented to a student who has written a winning essay about the Rhythm Night Club fire. The program will include music, prizes, and refreshments.

For more information, call 601-597-0557 or send email to [email protected]. Visit the official website at  

https://www.rnconsitemm.org/

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Another great column by Alan Wolf

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Harriet Tubman honored

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From The Natchez Democrat

From the Friday, April 19, 2024, issue of The Natchez Democrat (Natchez, Miss.)

See online version here:

https://www.natchezdemocrat.com/2024/04/18/wiggins-to-discuss-new-book-at-natchez-historical-society-meeting/

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Historian James Wiggins' new book presentation

From the Thursday, April 18, 2024, issue of The Woodville Republican (Woodville, Miss.)

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Touring the Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways Museum in Chesapeake, Va.

Today, I stepped back into the 1700s.

During a sightseeing tour today (April 17, 2024), I toured the Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways Museum. It is located at the site of the first land battle of the American Revolution in Virginia and America's first victory.

I'm pictured here with tour guide Jon Stull, aka Jacob Stull of the 1770s.

I was also blessed to share a photo with a Church of God pastor, the Rev. Nathan J. Bonilla, pastor of Zion Assembly Church of God. He's also a representative of the Museum of the Bible. We had a great time.

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Natchez-Adams County Chamber's FRIDAY FORUM:

Home with Heroes volunteer Larry Smith gives update on success of Miss-Lou Military Museum and Veterans Welcome Center in Natchez

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Wiggins to share his story on MPB Radio

James Wiggins will be interviewed this morning (4/16/24) by Desare Frazier of MPB's Morning Edition, which is aired Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m.

Wiggins will talk about his new book, "Outliving the White Lie," and his April 23 lecture at the meeting of the Natchez Historical Society. I will post a link to the interview whenever it airs.

The meeting is free to the public and will be held at Historic Natchez Foundation at 108 S. Commerce St. It will begin with a social at 5:30 p.m. and the presentation at 6 p.m. Wiggins' book will be available for purchase at the meeting. 

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Wiggins will discuss his new book at April 23 meeting of Natchez Historical Society

James Wiggins

NATCHEZ, Miss. -- Historian and retired educator James Wiggins will discuss his new book, "Outliving the White Lie: A Southerner's Historical, Genealogical and Personal Journey" (University Press of Mississippi, 2024), at the Tuesday, April 23 meeting of the Natchez Historical Society. 

The meeting is free to the public and will be held at Historic Natchez Foundation at 108 S. Commerce St. It will begin with a social at 5:30 p.m. and the presentation at 6 p.m. Wiggins book will be available for purchase at the meeting. 

"I am very much looking forward to my talk at the Natchez Historical Society," said Wiggins. "I certainly want to promote the book, but more, this is a vitally important topic that cries out for more discussion and greater understanding. I hope we can advance those goals on April 23rd."

Wiggins said his talk will focus on the lies often told about slavery and race in the nation's history, from colonial times to the present. 

Wiggins will discuss the "lies of commission, omission, and willful ignorance," while acknowledging his own "ancestors' participation in that process over time, as well as his own."

Wiggins is a retired instructor of History at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. He has published columns in The Natchez Democrat. Wiggins has spoken for the society in the past. 

The April 23 program is funded in part by a grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council, through funding by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

For more information, visit natchezhistoricalsociety.org or call 601-492-3004. Emails may be sent to [email protected]

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Willis presented Award of Merit

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Descendants of Prince Ibrahima returning to the United States

“Their ancestor, Abdul Rahman (1762-1829), was an African prince from Timbo, who was captured in 1788 at the age of 26 and shipped to the United States where he was sold in Mississippi as a slave. He spent 40 years toiling on the plantation of Thomas Foster before he gained his freedom in 1848.”

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Ceremony set for 12 p.m., Saturday, April 27

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Ceremony is set for 12 p.m. Saturday, April 27

This event honors the 209-plus victims that died in the club fire on April 23, 1940, as well those who survived that tragic event.