DATE: Saturday, March 3, 1:00 PM

ADMISSION: Free, but ticket required
(Tickets are available by calling the Morton Theatre Box Office at 706-613-3771.)

The 2018 Black History Celebration and Michael L. Thurmond Lecture Series including Youth Recitals, Music and Historic Recognitions

Delivering this years’ Thurmond Lecture is University of Virginia professor Derrick P. Alridge, author of the book - The Educational Thought of W.E.B. DuBois. Dr. Alridge is a member of UVA's "Commission on Slavery and the University." He is the founder and director of Teachers in the Movement, an oral history project that examines the roles of teachers in the civil rights movement.

Athenian Thurmond has distinguished himself as an attorney, author, lecturer and public servant. He serves as Chief Executive Officer of DeKalb County. His latest book, Freedom: Georgia's Antislavery Heritage, 1733-1863, was awarded the Georgia Historical Society’s Lilla Hawes Award. The Georgia Center for the Book listed Freedom as one of The 25 Books All Georgians Should Read.

This year’s historic honorees are Joseph “Jack” Lumpkin and Patricia “Pat” Barron. In 1997 Lumpkin became Athens first black police chief, a position he held for nearly 18 years.  He also has served as Chief of Police for Savannah, Albany and Toccoa. Currently, he is public safety director for DeKalb County, Georgia.  Athens first black female judge, Barron became Associate Magistrate Court Judge in Athens-Clarke County in 2001. Since August 2002, she has been the county’s Chief Magistrate Court Judge.

The event is sponsored by the Athens Area Black History Committee and the University of Georgia History Department.

Other sponsors:  Mayor Nancy Denson, Radio Station WXAG 92.7FM/1470AM, Denny and Peggy Galis, Dr. Willie and Tommie Farmer, Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement, Athens Land Trust, Harriett Green Church, Athens Interest Group of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Charles and Ruby Worthy, Fred O. Smith Jr., Friends of Clarke County School District, and UGA’s Office of Institutional Diversity, Center for Social Justice, and Institute of African American Studies. Taylor-Made for Athens—Taylor Pass for Commission District 2, Chess and Community, Chalis Montgomery for Congress, KD Media, and the Athens Council for African American Affairs

For more information please contact Fred Smith at 706-247-6777 or aabhbowl@gmail.com.