Overby Center Hosting “Looking At the Father of Black History” Event Today

By Allie Wolf
For Hottytoddy.com
cawolf@go.olemiss.edu

Two southern scholars will be discussing the life of educator and historian Carter G. Woodson this afternoon at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics. The event, beginning at 5:30 p.m., is entitled “Looking At the Father of Black History.”

Burnis Morris is the author of “Carter G. Woodson: History, The Black Press, and Public Relations.” Photo from Marshall University’s website.

Burnis Morris, the Carter G. Woodson Professor at Marshall University’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications and 1973 Ole Miss graduate, will have a conversation with University of Mississippi assistant professor and author of “Delta Jewels: In Search of My Grandmother’s Wisdom” Alysia Burton Steele.

They will discuss Morris’ newest work, “Carter G. Woodson: History, The Black Press, and Public Relations”, centered around the life and work of Carter G. Woodson, also known as the Father of Black History.

Alysia Burton Steele is an assistant professor in the School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi. File photo. 

“He encouraged newspapers to write about significant African-Americans,” Morris told Time magazine. “He believed racial discrimination would be lessened when whites and other races realized that African-Americans also made contributions to the world.”

This event is free to the public, and there will be a reception immediately following their conversation. The Overby Center is located on the Ole Miss campus adjacent to Farley Hall.

For more information, visit overbycenter.org or call 662-915-1692.