TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A joint event between The University of Alabama and Stillman College will be held on Wednesday, April 13, from 7-9 p.m. in Stinson Auditorium on Stillman campus called “Memoirs: Perspectives on Black History.”

Through a cooperative effort of the two schools, an oral history of the Civil Rights movement from the perspective of a local panel will be recorded by the UA New College Radio Lab and preserved as a CD archive of local history from those who lived it.

Panelists – including the first African-American sheriff in Greene County and several area community leaders and leading activists – will tell their stories of living through turbulent times and answer audience questions if time permits.

Dr. Jerome Rosenberg, UA associate professor of New College and psychology, and Dr. Linda Beito, chairman of the social studies program at Stillman College, will be moderators for the event that is open to the public.

“The idea is to gather stories of people who lived through changes in Tuscaloosa and surrounding communities during the Civil Rights movement through their personal experiences during this time,” Rosenberg said.

Rosenberg and UA New College students developed the New College Radio Lab with a recording studio in the basement of Carmichael Hall on the UA campus. The New College Radio Lab has produced some shows that have aired locally, and this effort to produce a historical archive is a new facet of the program.

“We are recording this event to insure that these important historical memories are preserved,” Rosenberg noted. “The panelists are from West Alabama counties and will discuss the changes they’ve seen during their lifetime.”

The program will be archived on CD by the students and Rosenberg and will be part of historical archives at UA and Stillman College. Copies of the CD will also be available to the public.

Panelists will include: Rev. Tom Gilmore, the first African-American sheriff of Greene County; Odessa Warrick, Tuscaloosa local community leader; Joseph Mallasham politician and community leader; Willie Mae Wells, Stillman College graduate who worked there during the Civil Rights marches; John Bivens, attorney and one of the founders of the UA Afro-American Association; Theresa Burroughs, community business leader; Dr. Harold Bishop, one of UA’s first African-American faculty members; and Dr. John Blackburn, dean of students at UA during integration of the University.

Coordinating committee members for the event include Rosenberg, Beito, Evan Hisey, UA New College student and technical director, Dr. Amilcar Shabazz of the UA African-American studies program, and Carlton McHargh director of the minority education program in the UA College of Education.

“We want this to be an experience that people can come to and can later listen to at home on the CD. It may be the beginning of a series of projects we do each year and keep tapping into by listening to the many interesting stories people in the community have to tell,” Rosenberg said.

Contact Rosenberg at 205/348-8414 or 348-1918, jrosenbe@bama.ua.edu.