New Haven Independent

Black History

“Add To The Gumbo”

by Allan Appel | Feb 9, 2012 2:55 pm

Mardi Gras came early for these Lincoln-Bassett kids as they learned the “gumbo way of life.”

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MLK “Love March” Reveals The Invisible Man

by Allan Appel | Jan 16, 2012 8:08 am | Comments (19)

A hearse traveling through East Rock had no body inside—but 125 shouting bodies accompanying it.

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Lunch With Wendell

by Paul Bass | Dec 3, 2011 8:00 pm | Comments (24)

Six months before architect and political powerbroker Wendell Harp died at the age of 64 surrounded by his family in his home, he met a reporter for lunch by the front door at Pacifico restaurant on College Street. He wanted to sit upstairs, he said. Away from the first-floor bar.

“I don’t like,” he said, “how people behave at bars.”

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Courage Crosses Generations

by Paul Bass | Sep 28, 2011 6:46 am | Comments (4)

Their elders told them to stay in the shadows. Their supposed friend in the White House dragged his feet. Young people had to take the risks, and change America in the process.

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Freedom Riders Ride Again?

by Staff | Sep 26, 2011 9:29 am | Comments (15)

Lula Mae White risked jail 50 years ago when she rode Southern buses to promote integration. Lorella Praeli “came out of the shadows” this past year to help fellow undocumented immigrants make it to college. The two New Haven activists will share a stage to share their experiences—and explore the dream (or DREAM) the two student civil-rights struggles pursued a half-century apart.

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The Monks Are Back In Town

by Allan Appel | Jul 15, 2011 11:05 am | Comments (5)

One of the older Monks, Conley F. Jr., smooched with his granddaughter Kiley, one of the newest, as the fabled singing Monk Family —whose rise mirrored the rise and rich cultural contributions of post-World War II black New Haven—began to gather as they have for the past 48 years for their annual reunion, parade, and concert this weekend in the Hill.

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Local Black Legends Feted

by Staff | Jun 22, 2011 2:04 pm | Comments (3)

Valerie Bertrand sent in this piece:

Hugh Price, former president and CEO of the National Urban League, was honored on June 18 by the African-American Historical Society, Inc., at its 8th annual awards ceremony. This year’s theme was “Change and Empowerment.” Price received the Lifetime Contributions award for “A Lifetime Commitment to Social Justice and Social Advocacy.”

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North Frontage Is “MLK Boulevard”

by Thomas MacMillan | Jun 18, 2011 9:45 pm | Comments (6)

Two years ago, Alderman Yusuf Shah had a dream in which he searched unsuccessfully for Martin Luther King Boulevard among the streets of New Haven. When he awoke, he set about putting the slain civil rights leader’s name on the map.

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50 Years Later, Pioneer’s Mug Shot Lands On Award

by Jacob Cohn | Jun 13, 2011 12:14 pm | Comments (4)

When someone showed Lula Mae White a mugshot Saturday night, tears came to her eyes. It was her own picture—taken 50 years ago.

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Is “Freedom” Worth $5,000?

by Thomas MacMillan | May 17, 2011 10:30 am | Comments (16)

With $40,000 from the state, the city will hire a consultant to look into creating a waterfront exhibit on the Connecticut Freedom Trail. The city will kick in $5,000 in bonding to make it happen—too high a price for one alderman.

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