Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society, Inc.

Arkansas Chapter

News

Greetings Members & Friends of AAHGS-AR!

Our 2011 year has come and gone; we are now working towards new goals for 2012. One of our goals for this year is to share genealogy and historical research with our youth. They are our future family historians and our first meeting with them will take place on February 1, 2012 and we will meet with them every first Thursday after that. Another one of our goals for this year is to become more visible in our community and so far we have Dick Jeter Day on May 19, 2012 and McAlmont Day on June 16, 2012. There are others Dark Hollow Day and Dixie Day that we need dates for. We also have our annual conference scheduled for March 10, 2012 at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. Our theme this year is The Forgotten: Arkansas African American Civil War Soldiers. I would also like to take this time to THANK each and every one of you, especially our elected and appointed officers, who have signed on for another two years. You guys make what we do as an organization possible!

Michelle Hood aahgs.arkansas@yahoo.com

Presidents Message............1 Tonias Tidbits ....................2 AAHGS-AR Member News...3 Black History Month Events...4 Archies Corner...................5 PBS Black History Series....6-7 Scheduled Events.................8 AAHGS Info........................9

Cultivating our roots by identifying, collecting, documenting, and preserving our African American heritage

Pvt. Hartwell Carter was born about April 1842 in Jefferson, Arkansas. He is listed on the 1900 United States Census for Young Township, Pulaski County, Arkansas. He is a widowed, 58 year old farmer. On September 15, 1863, at the age of 21, Hartwell Carter enlisted for military service. The 54th United States Colored Infantry was organized March 11, 1864 from the 2nd Arkansas Infantry. Attached to 2nd Brigade Frontier Division, 7th Corps, Dept. of Arkansas, to February, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 7th Corps, to August, 1865. Dept. of Arkansas to December, 1866. SERVICE.--Duty at Helena, Ark., until May, 1864. Ordered to Fort Smith, Ark., and duty there until January, 1865. Actions at Fort Gibson September 16, 1864. Cabin Creek September 19. Cow Creek, Kansas, November 14 and 28. Ordered to Little Rock January, 1865. Action on Arkansas River January 18. Duty at Little Rock and at various points in Dept. of Arkansas until December, 1866. Mustered out August 8 to December 31, 1866. Hartwell Carter was a private in the 54th Regiment Company G of the United States Colored Infantry. He is listed on the African American Civil War memorial in Washington DC plaque C-66. He died February 7, 1919 and was buried on February 8, 1919 in the Little Rock National Cemetery, Plot 6, Row 0 and Grave #6280. Headstone photos were taken by Angela Y. Walton-Raji and Tonia Holleman. If you have any additional information or corrections contact Tonia at toniah904@aol.com.

AAHGS-AR Member News

e The Forgotten: Arkansas African American Civil War Soldiers."

March 10, 2012 Mosaic Templars Cultural Center 501 West 9th Street Little Rock, Arkansas Archie Moore, Speaker Jay Miller, Keynote Speaker Panel Discussion to Follow

AAHGS-AR Chapter has agreed to volunteer time to work with an afterschool program at Martin Luther King Elementary to teach genealogy and African American History. AAHGS-AR President Michelle Hood and Secretary Margaret Moss volunteered on Thursday, February 2. They had a wonderful time helping the youth with family trees and one of the youth was so excited about finding information on his family. For those of you who were unable to attend in February, please plan on volunteering your time on March 1, 2012 at 3012 MLK Drive, Little Rock. We will help youth prepare family sheets and tie this in with a scrapbook project for Mothers Day. Hope to see you in March.

Congratulations to AAHGS-AR Historion, Archie Lee Moore Jr., on being voted President of the Board of Trustees of the Central Arkansas Library System!

Looks Whos Speaking!

Archie Lee Moore, Jr.

In celebration of Black History Month, The Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus (ADBC) will host its eight annual King-Kennedy Dinner Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012 at the Metroplex Event Center, 10800 Colonel Glenn Rd., in Little Rock, Ark. A VIP reception begins at 6 p.m. with the dinner following at 7 p.m. The event was established in 2005 to honor and recognize outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities and the state of Arkansas. Dr. Julianne Malveaux, president of Bennett College, economist, author and commentator will be the keynote speaker for the event. Actor and author Hill Harper, who plays Dr. Sheldon Hawkes on the CBS hit series CSI: NY, will discuss black history within todays society at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, in the Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter Hall as part of UALRs Black History Month events. Harper has written four books including Letters to a Young Brother and Letters to a Young Sister which provide inspirational lessons and guidance for todays youth. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by the University Program Council, Sodexo, and the Office of Campus Life. Danny Glover & Felix Justice present An Evening with Martin and Langston, February 9, 2012, Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall at 7:30 p.m. on the University of Central Arkansas campus. Danny Glover and Felix Justice star in this powerhouse performance that draws audiences inside the worlds of two of the greatest orators of the 20th century: Martin Luther King, Jr. and Langston Hughes. The evening begins with Justices critically acclaimed portrayal of Dr. King through the words of his most memorable speeches. Glover brings to life the words and poetry of Langston Hughes through readings of his work.

There are many advantages to partnerships in the community, especially in the area of community awareness. The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, with the assistance of the Arkansas Department of Human Services, has implemented a program that is designed to encourage youth to engage in positive leadership development and roles within their communities. Therefore, the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission will host Nonviolence Youth Summit Part VI A NEW BEGINNING at the Durand Conference Center, 303 N Main, Harrison, AR 72601, on Friday, February 24, 2012 from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM. This event is free and open to all, but prior confirmation of attendance is requested.

A R C H I E s

While attending the AAHGS conference in Little Rock Arkansas in October 2011, Angela Walton Raji visited my table which reflected my collection of black memorabilia. She discovered three booklets in my collection, which were devoted to health, hair care and hygiene and published in 1917 by a woman who was identified as Mme. M.E. Hockenhull, of Pine Bluff Arkansas. She became curious and wanted to know more about the author but I was unable to provide further information. I had spoken to several people in Pine Bluff, but no one knew anything about her. Angela was curious and decided to start her journey to discover more about this successful black business woman with her own product line who had provided many services for women in her community. On her journey, she located Madam Hockenhull in the 1910 census married to Mr. Robert Hockenhull. Mrs. Mattie Hockenhull had been married before and therefore a child by the first marriage was living with them, listed as a stepson (Isaac Gray). Upon further research, ironically, Angela discovered that Madam Hockenhull was the Great Great Aunt of her first cousin, Melvin Collier. He revealed to Angela that Martha Hockenhull (also known as Mattie), was indeed a business woman in Pine Bluff Arkansas and that she left Arkansas in the late 1920s and moved with her son Isaac to Chicago where she spent the rest of her life. He pointed out that Martha (Aunt Mattie) was born to the Danner family of Panola County Mississippi. He even mentioned Mattie Danner Hockenhull in his book Mississippi to Africa. He went on to tell me that Isaac, Martha's son, had married Mahalia Jackson in the early years of her career. Martha Hockenhull was also the daughter of a Civil War soldier as well--she was the daughter of a freedom fighter! Found out more about Angelas journey on her blog: http://myancestorsname.blogspot.com/2012/01/search-for-anddiscovery-of-madam.html

CO R N E R

Narrated by Laurence Fishburne and produced and directed by Sam Pollard, premieres Monday, Feb. 13, 2012 at 9 p.m. ET

Thousands of black men pulled back into a forced labor system in which they were arrested largely on trumped up charges and compelled to work without pay as prisoners. This convict leasing system saw the groups of prisoners sold to private parties like plantation owners or corporations - and that it was not only tolerated by both the North and South, but largely ignored by the U.S. Justice Department. Dr. Sharon Malone, wife of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, tells the heartbreaking story of her uncle Henry in the upcoming 90-minute PBS documentary Slavery by Another Name. The film is based on the eye-opening book by Douglas A. Blackmon, which exposes a part of American history that most folks either had no clue existed, or didnt know existed to the extent that it did.

Black History Month Special Programs on PBS

Underground Railroad: The William Still Story 10pm Monday, Feb. 6, on ThinkTV16 This show profiles William Still - one of the most important, yet unheralded, individuals of the Underground Railroad. American Experience: Freedom Riders 9pm Tuesday, Feb. 7, on ThinkTV16 9pm Sunday, Feb. 19, on ThinkTV14 Chronicles the journey of the courageous band of civilrights activists in the Deep South in 1961.

Independent Lens: Daisy Bates 11pm Friday, Feb. 3, on ThinkTV16 Follow the story of Daisy Bates and her support for the nine black students who attended the all-white high school in Arkansas.

Independent Lens: More than a Month 11pm Friday, Feb. 17, on ThinkTV16 A 29-year-old African-American filmmaker is on a crosscountry campaign to end Black History Month.

Wednesday, February 8 Brown Bag Lunch Lecture The Life of a Woodruff County Girl Noon - 1 p.m. Thursday, February 16 Brown Bag Lunch Lecture & Book signing Growing Up in Arkansas Noon - 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 22 Brown Bag Lunch Lecture A Walk through History Noon - 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 29 Brown Bag Lunch Lecture African-American Fraternal Headstones in Arkansas: Identification and History Noon - 1 p.m.
Visit a Cinema near you to support Red Tails," which stars Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Terrence Howard, is based on the Tuskegee Airmen, the group of pioneering black pilots who fought in the United States' segregated armed forces during World War II. The movie is directed by Anthony Hemingway, the rare black director getting a chance to direct a big-budget feature.
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Profiles in Arkansas Black History: Markers and Makers A seminar sponsored by the Black History Commission of Arkansas and the Arkansas History Commission, will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2012, at the Arkansas State Capitol, Room 151. The presentations at this seminar will feature historical markers which highlight African Americans and their roles in Arkansas history. From places such as cemeteries, a church, the site of a life-changing event for a well-known musician, a gathering place for young civil rights activists, and a lake, speakers will highlight the stories behind the historical markers and the makers of our states history. Events will begin at 9:30 a.m. The seminar is free, but registration is required. To register, email Jane Wilkerson, Arkansas History Commission, at jane.wilkerson@arkansas.gov or call 501.682.6900. Registration deadline

The Arkansas Chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) was founded in 1997 by a group dedicated to preserving and sharing genealogical and historical research techniques, conducting educational programs, and preparing exhibits. Our goal is to bring to light, through research, study, collaboration, documentation and presentation, the History and Heritage of Arkansas people of African descent.

Michelle Hood President Evelyn Tenpenny Vice President Linda Hampton Recording Secretary Margaret Moss Corresponding Secretary Tamela Tenpenny-Lewis Treasurer

We meet the first Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 Noon at the: Sheritta Camp Mildred Coursey Kathy Davis Elsie Dodson-Robinson Kenneth Henderson Deborah Hicks Darryl Johnson Gail Siddell Johnson Ghita Johnson PAAC, Inc. Antoinette Lee Plummer Gladys Randle Donna Rayford Evelyn Tenpenny James Wade Arkansas Studies Institute 401 President Clinton Ave Little Rock, Arkansas Meetings are subject to be rescheduled due to holidays and field-trip outings. There are no regular meetings in July or December. In December, a Kwanzaa/ Christmas Brunch is held in lieu of the regular meeting. We invite you to become a member of the AAHGS Arkansas Chapter. Membership is by calendar year and may be entered at any time. Gift memberships and memorials are also welcome. Annual dues for individuals are $50, which includes $15 for local dues and $35 for national dues.
Bi-M on th ly N ew sletter D ead lines fo r S ubm i ssi on a re Ja nu ary 5 th , M a rch 5t h , M a y 5 th , J uly 5t h , S eptem ber 5 th , N ov em ber 5 th

Deb Hicks Parliamentarian Archie Moore, Jr. Historian Sharon Phillips Newsletter Editor Webmaster Vacant Stefania Booth Public Relations Liaison Carla Hines Coleman Fundraiser Chairperson

PO Box 4294 Little Rock, AR 72214

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