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  The Mina Slaves of Pointe Coupee: A revolt subdued; a culture defined Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana has always been known as the cradle of creole culture, with a rich heritage Rev. Albert Nelson rooted in diversity from its earliest settlers, French, with Spanish, Caribbean, and Indian influences . However, many of us have long forgotten the fabric of our origin rooted in a rich West African past . During the 18 th century, the Mina tribe who originated in present day Benin found themselves scattered amongst various plantations in Pointe Coupee Parish . The original settlers had established plantations that harvested corn, indigo, tobacco, cotton and sugarcane on land surrounded by the Mississippi River on one side and False River on the other . This fertile land was cultivated by victims of the transatlantic slave trade that originated on the coast of West Africa and began arriving in Louisiana under the French but continued under Spanish and US rule .  ...
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Dr. Kara V. Jackson : She believed she could, so she did

Dr. Kara Vaughn Jackson   ( The Gramblinite,1965 ) Kara Enid Vaughn was born June 7, 1908, in  Chatawa, Mississippi to Benjamin and Angeline Dillon Vaughn. Benjamin was the younger brother of my 2nd great grandmother, Angeline Vaughn Dillon.  The Vaughn's were a close knit  family of farm laborers that had a strong desire to see all of their children educated, and through hard work and many sacrifices, were able to see that dream realized. Kara was home-schooled by her Aunt  until the age of 10 and was sent to live with relatives in Gary, Indiana while she attended the historic Froebel High School.   Froebel has a history of it's own as one of the first schools in the nation to integrate.  She  went on to complete her undergraduate studies at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana .   ( The Gramblinite,1965 ) Kara began her career as a teacher at a rural training school while working her way through Southern University....
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The Dillon Family: Education in the Rural South

O. W. Dillon As we culminate Black History Month, I’d like to take a moment to salute the contributions of a few great men and women in my family. The 13 sons and daughters of my great great grandparents, Thomas J and Angeline Dillon of Pike County, Mississippi. Thomas J and Angeline raised a family of visionaries and leaders, equipped with a desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of all those they came in contact with. In the early 1900’s they began to venture out on a quest to obtain a higher education at some of the most notable institutions available to them at the time. Alcorn State University, Tuskegee Institute, Hampton Institute, Southern University, Dillard University and Grambling State University to name a few. Returning one by one, determined to extend the opportunity of an education to the rural south. Under the leadership of their oldest brother, Professor Oliver Wendell Dillon, they were sent out into the rural areas of Louisiana and Mississip...
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Rose Mary Nelson Johnson Tribute

    Rosemary Nelson Johnson was born February 22, 1928, in New Roads, Louisiana to Reverend Albert Nelson and Mariah Pierson Nelson. Her educational and spiritual journey was achieved from the inspiration of her parents. They gave her the opportunities that were never available to them, and she eventually struggled to give the same prospects to her children. This was the beginning of a legacy of spiritual growth through music and the word of God.   With the help and determination of her father, Rosemary made the necessary sacrifice to get an education. Her journey began at the age of 12 when she attended schools McKinley High School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Gilbert Academy in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her travel was extensive and sometimes dangerous because there were no high schools in New Roads. To further ensure that Rosemary would get a proper high school education, her father paid several people to allow her to reside in their homes. Rosemary's father d...
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A Colosuss of A Man- Henry Austine Dillon

Below is an article printed in the Southern University Alumni Magazine  highlighting the work of my Great Grandfather, H. A Dillon Sr. SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ALUMNI PROFILE To Seneca is attributed the statement, “A dwarf is small, even if he stands on a mountain; a colossus keeps his height, even if he stands in a well.”   Perhaps no case that could be cited better illustrates the strivings of a quiet, thrifty and conservative person  as HENRY AUSTINE Dillon, SR. Among Southernites and other alike, H. A.Dillon, SR., is a gigantic statue. At an early age he began his elementary education under his s isters  and from there took his education work under his brother, O.W. Dillon who  was at that time the principal of the Training School at Kentwood,Louisiana.   The school was later named O.W. Dillon High School. DILLON was greatly influenced by his brother while working under the older Dillon. O.W. Dillon instilled in him to become a leader or a he...
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