HERE I AM ADDRESSING M.A.G.I.C. (MIDWEST AFRO-AMERICAN GENEALOGICAL COALITION) IN FEBRUARY 2013, ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE AMEN SOCIETY, A BENEVOLENT CORPORATION, WHICH I FOUNDED WHILE PASTOR OF BROOKS CHAPEL A.M.E. CHURCH. I WAS INVITED TO DESCRIBE ITS SEMINAL ROLE IN THE FUNDING, PLACEMENT, AND DEDICATION OF THE FIRST KANSAS COLORED VOLUNTEER INFANTRY STATUE ON THE COURTHOUSE SQUARE IN BUTLER (BATES) COUNTY, MISSOURI, IN OCTOBER 2008. THOSE BRAVE BLACK SOLDIERS WERE THE FIRST "COLORED" TO EXPERIENCE COMBAT IN THE "FREEDOM WAR" IN OCTOBER 1862, WHEN THEY, AND THEIR WHITE OFFICERS, ROUTED A FORCE OF CONFEDERATE IRREGULAR CAVALRY AT LEAST TWICE THEIR 225-MEMBER FORCE. IN OCTOBER 2012, THE STATE OF MISSOURI DEDICATED "THE BATTLE OF ISLAND MOUND HISTORIC SITE" ON 40 ACRES OF LAND SOUTHWEST OF BUTLER. IN MAY 2013, THAT HISTORIC SITE WAS MADE A PART OF "NATIONAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD NETWORK TO FREEDOM," AN APPENDAGE OF THE NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE.
PICTURED IN THE BACKGROUND IS PRESTON WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF M.A.G.I.C., WHO IS A
CLOSE FRIEND AND A SERIOUS HISTORIAN.
PICTURED IN THE BACKGROUND IS PRESTON WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF M.A.G.I.C., WHO IS A
CLOSE FRIEND AND A SERIOUS HISTORIAN.
