The Gist of Freedom Preserving American History through Black Literature . . .

  Join The Gist of Freedom as we welcom Filmmaker Sam Pollard, Slavery By Another Name~ View The documentary~ at the following link then listen to Mr. Pollard lecture on the transition from chattel slavery to the prison system.  http://video.pbs.org/video/2176766758

  Join constitutional law professor Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, on The Gist of Freedom as she lectures on the latest and most controversial Supreme Court Cases ObamaCare and Arizona Immigration. Mrs. Browne-Marshall also gives us an update on  Trayvon Martin's Road to Justice. Mrs. Marshall received the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Justice Award for her work with civil rights and women's justice issues. Her forthcoming book is titled "Black Women: Salem Witch Trials to Civil Rights Activists - A Legal History." A former civil rights attorney, Browne-Marshall is an Associate Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) teaching Constitutional Law, Race and the Law, and Evidence. She is a member of the Gender Studies faculty of John Jay College as well as a member of the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States. Gloria J. Browne-Marshall is the Founder/Director of The Law and Policy Group, Inc., a nonprofit organization. The Law and Policy Group, Inc. 

Lynne Jackson, Dred Scott's Great-great granddaughter shares her family's legacy, with The Gist of Freedom host, attorney activist Professor Michael Coard. Learn about the Supreme Court case suit Dred Scott brought against the Slave Institution as he fought for his Constitutional Right, liberty.  The story of a man determined to free his family! JOIN US IN NYC www.MalcolmXfilmFestival.com Mr. Coard a historian and Lynne Jackson will explain how Justice Taney's decision against Mr. Dred Scott and the Constitution was one of a series of historical events which led to the Civil War.  Moreover, how his decision mirrors today's injustices, The Stand Your Ground law. Lynne is the founder and President of The Dred Scott Foundation www.thedredscottfoundation.org. The Gist of Freedom is produced by Lesley Gist Mr. Coard a columinst for the PhillyBurb newspaper acknowleged the 155th Anniversary of The Dred Scott Decision on March 6, 2012. The Gist of Freedom applauds Mr. Coard for preserving history and for being the catalyst for the many wonderful guests that share their stories with the listeners of The Gist of Freedom.

The Gist of Freedom is honored to present Slavery By Another Name- with Historian,Attorney Activist Professor Michael Coard. Listen to Professor Michael Coard use the award winning film, Slavery By Another Name to lecture and explain the transition from America's peculiar slave institution to today's privatized prison institution. Mr. Coard is Very thorough and powerful. Please have your pen and pad ready. The Gist of Freedom is produced by Lesley Gist

Tonight on The Gist of Freedom  learn more about this historical and fascinating photo with John Franklin,  the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) specialist on Emancipation Day. Join us in NYC  WWW.MALCOLMxFilmFestival.com Survivors~ Four Formerly enslaved centenarian Women ~In 1916 they gathered at an Emancipation Day in Washington, DC. Annie Parram, 104; Anna Angales, 105; Elizabeth Berkeley, 125; and Sadie Thompson 110. From the Library of Congress. — at Washington, DC. In 1916 four women--who were formely enslaved--gathered at an Emancipation Day Celebration in Washington, DC. All were centenarians. Annie Parram, 104; Anna Angales, 105; Elizabeth Berkeley, 125; and Sadie Thompson 110. From the Library of Congress.Survivors~ Four Formerly enslaved centenarian Women ~In 1916 gather at a Emancipation Celebration in Washington, DC.Annie Parram, 104; Anna Angales, 105; Elizabeth Berkeley, 125; and Sadie Thompson 110. From the Library of Congress. — at Washington, DC. In 1916 four women--who were formely enslaved--gathered at a reunion in Washington, DC. All were centenarians. Annie Parram, 104; Anna Angales, 105; Elizabeth Berkeley, 125; and Sadie Thompson 110. From the Library of Congress. Visit The Gist of Freedom 

Tony Oliver ~Robert W. Simmons, politician and pioneer in black education, was born around 1822 at Fredericksburg, Virginia. His father, Streshley Simmons, was a free black citizen of Virginia and a veteran of the War of 1812.By 1858, Simmons and his wife Susan King had nine children. His concern for his children and other young African-Americans propelled him in 1862 to take the lead in founding the Sumner School, a school for the town’s blacks. The donation was one dollar per month, but children whose families were unable to pay were allowed to attend free of charge. Classes initially were housed in an army barrack. Simmons, on horseback, had made a long and dangerous war-time trip to Washington, where he secured the building directly from President Lincoln. The fledgling institution became a landmark in the history of education, becoming West Virginia’s earliest public school in 1866. It was then named after U.S. Congress Charles Sumner, an abolitionist from Massachuseets, who was severly beaten by a South Carolina representative on the floor of Congress for his anti-slavery speech which denounced the killing of white abolitionists in the "Bloody Kansas" uprisings known as the pre-civil war era. Simmons also helped to establish a black Sunday school in Parkersburg and served as its first superintendent. In !954 after the Brown v. Board of Ed of Topeka case ended segregation the main school was torn down. It was renovated and became a school for handicap children. In the 1980's it became a museum, The Sumnerite. Learn more at WWW.BlogTalkRadio.com/TheGISTofFREEDOM http://pinterest.com/blackhistory/black-history

Join constistutional law professor Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, on The Gist of Freedom as she lectures on George Zimmerman's arrest and Trayvon's road to Justice.  Tune in Tuesday April 24th at 8:30 pm for Part II with Professor Brown and attorney actvist, Michael Coard. Gloria Browne-Marshalll received the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Justice Award for her work with civil rights and women's justice issues. Her forthcoming book is titled "Black Women: Salem Witch Trials to Civil Rights Activists - A Legal History."   A former civil rights attorney, Browne-Marshall is an Associate Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) teaching Constitutional Law, Race and the Law, and Evidence. She is a member of the Gender Studies faculty of John Jay College as well as a member of the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.   Active nationally and internationally, Gloria J. Browne-Marshall is a  free-lance journalist and an award-winning playwright, her most recent play is titled "Diversity" and examines marriage choices. Her other plays include the full-length drama on Alzheimer's disease "My Juilliard," one act plays "Jeanine" and "Waverly Place" as well as the full-length murder mystery "Killing Me Softly." She is a member of the Dramatist Guild, Mystery Writers of America, National Association of Black Journalists, and PEN American Center.   Gloria J. Browne-Marshall is the Founder/Director of The Law and Policy Group, Inc., a nonprofit organization. The Law and Policy Group, Inc. 

Black Abolitionist David Ruggles helped a runaway slave from Maryland survive to become Frederick Douglas, the most respected African-American of the 19th century. Learn More Tuesday April 3rd with The Gist of Freedomhost Professor Dr. Weldon McWilliams and Professor Graham Russell Hodges, author~ David Ruggles: A Radical Black Abolitionist and the Underground Railroad in New York City (John Hope Franklin Series in African American History and Culture) ~ David Ruggles opened the first black-owned bookstore in America, although it was burned too. He was an editor and printer and started a reading room and a circulating library. He published the first magazine by an African American in this country. All amazing accomplishments! But wait, there's more! David helped found the New York Committee of Vigilance (A cross between The Black Panthers and N.A.A.C.P), a group dedicated to preventing blacks from being sold into the South. David wrote fiery pamphlets, daringly publishing the bounty hunters' names. He helped hundreds of fugitive slaves, traveled extensively as an anti-slavery agent, and became one of the chief conductors of the Underground Railroad. He helped a runaway slave from Maryland survive to become Frederick Douglas.  Ruggles home, 36 Lispenard St., will be included The New York "Freedom Trail" the house where David Ruggles, a leading abolitionist, sheltered hundreds of runaway slaves as a stop on the Underground Railroad.  Similar to the one in Boston that focuses on the Revolutionary War.TriBeCa was basically New York City's Harlem before the Civil War," Morris said. "Downtown Manhattan was honeycombed with Underground Railroad locations, and there were residences and businesses of abolitionists.  

Order your customized doll with  Stephanie Humphrey The Gist of Freedom guest host and the creator/CEO Karen Byrd of Natural Girls United! Natural Girls United is an online store that provides customized dolls and dolls from a collection that features, skin tones, hair styles and textures that reflect that of the African American & Multi-cultural community. My company centers on helping children, women and men of ethnic communities to help build their self-esteem and sense of self-worth. The Natural Girls United doll project is something that I hope will help to bring a positive view of what ethnic beauty is. There is a serious need for our young girls to be able to have dolls that look like them. It is something that affects their self-esteem, confidence, and how they few themselves. It is important that they have images around them that reinforce that positive message that their beauty is wonderful. Each day that we show them that they matter, is a day that is a step in the right direction. Karen Byrd  

  United Nations hosted Slavery By Another Name with filmmaker Sam Pollard The Age of Neo-Slavery Under laws enacted specifically to intimidate blacks, tens of thousands of African Americans were arbitrarily arrested, hit with outrageous fines, and charged for the costs of their own arrests. With no means to pay these ostensible “debts,” prisoners were sold as forced laborers to coal mines, lumber camps, brickyards, railroads, quarries and farm plantations. Thousands of other African Americans were simply seized by southern landowners and compelled into years of involuntary servitude. Government officials leased falsely imprisoned blacks to small-town entrepreneurs, provincial farmers, and dozens of corporations—including U.S. Steel Corp.—looking for cheap and abundant labor. Armies of "free" black men labored without compensation, were repeatedly bought and sold, and were forced through beatings and physical torture to do the bidding of white masters for decades after the official abolition of American slavery.

Black history showcase Join Dr. Weldon M. McWilliams and the organizer of The Black History Showcase of Philadelphia, Mr. Everett Staten tomorrow night, Tuesday at 8pm onwww.BlogTalkRadio.com/TheGISTofFREEDOM. The Showcase is a wonderful educational cultural event. It's a day trip your entire family will enjoy! Wall to wall education and entertainment.  The Black History & Culture Showcase features a diverse mix of enlightening exhibits and activities that use “real people, real objects and real stories” to accurately present important eras and extraordinary achievements or events in African American history. This tribute is comprised of interactive, educational, inspirational exhibits; living legend history makers; documentary films; historical reenactments; panel discussions; lectures by African American history educators;internationally acclaimed literary and visual artists; and historical musical concerts.

Join The Gist of Freedom as we speak to real-estate developer Roland Laird of My Image Studios Decades from now, Roland Laird wants My ImageStudios LLC to be mentioned in the same as legendary Harlem venues like the Apollo Theater.

Tonight on The Gist of Freedom Author and journalist Herb Boyd will discuss the book he wrote in response to a controversial book about Malcolm X. Mr. Boyd stated he found as many as 25 significant errors in the book, some of which he described as "absolutely egregious". In response, Chicago Black publishing imprint Third World Press released  "By Any Means Necessary Malcolm X: Real Not Reinvented" By Herb Boyd, Ron Daniels, Maulana Karenga and Haki R. Madhubuti in October of 2011.

  The Sumner Post originally served as home for the local chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic, an interracial Civil War veterans' organization. With a national membership of 500,000. GAR was as important in its time as the American Legion. Join historic Preservationist Leslie Raimond and The Gist of Freedom Host and Filmmaker, Gary Jenkins for a candid conversation about GAR and one of it's restoration projects. For more information on the GAR building and plans for its future, or to contribute to its restoration call Ms. Raimond at 410-778-1149. The national organization accepted members of both races. Built by Frank and Jesse Duyer in 1908, is one of two black GAR buildings still standing. At best estimates, some 400 black soldiers from Kent County served with the Union army during the Civil War. The funds will be used to purchase and restore the early 20th-century building at 206 S. Queen St. that was once a meeting place for black Civil War veterans from Kent County. Raimond also credited "leaders of the African American Community, Town of Chestertown, Kent County Department of Tourism and Economic Development, Main Street Historic Chestertown

  Join The Gist of Freedom's guest host Roy Paul and Harriet Tubman's niece, Addriane Roderick. The Gist of Freedom met Mrs. Roderick at a memorial for Harriet Tubman, March 10, 2012. Harriet died March 10, 1913.Harriet Tubman Day of Commemoration March 10,- Courtsey “Freedom or die a slave!,”    The statue is the brainchild of former Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields.  Omoye Cooper of Albany, NY and Elizabeth Fulcher-Rankin of Brooklyn are co-chairs of the Black Women’s Leadership Caucus, Inc. Inc. WWW.BlackWomenLeadeshipaucus.com e-mail Tubman1913@Yahoo.com 718.393.7957