A key factor that gave rise to the construction of Riddle Elementary School was the poor and nearly dilapidated quality of the Logan and Mic

By Bettye Thomas-Gilkey Courtesy Photo-Ward Beard Ward “Skillz” Beard is a graduate of the Historically Black College, Alabama A & M University, located in Normal, Alabama, near Huntsville. He decided as a high school student to attend a Black college and knew this was the school for him when participating on the Annual Lansing Black College Tour by Fred Porter and Amel Eiland.They visited several colleges, but he was drawn to Alabama A &M because of the beautiful campus and how quickly he...

Courtesy Photo-Jan Henderson When Jan Henderson attended West Virginia State University in Norfolk, Virginia, everyone was required to live on campus except students who already lived off campus with their families. Jan was raised in the small town of Sulphur Springs, Virginia, whose population was about 2000 people. There was one traffic light, a bus stop, a grocery store and a Five and Ten store. Butter was purchased one stick at a time. Milk was in a glass bottle with a paper top. And...