MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT: A public dedication ceremony of a historical marker to create greater awareness and understanding of an act of racial injustice that occurred in Springfield 113 years ago is the purpose of a community remembrance planned for Oct. 2. In 1906, three African American men named Horace Duncan, Fred Coker and William Allen were lynched in downtown Springfield.
Agenda:
- Opening remarks: H. Wesley Pratt
- Invocation : Bishop Jones Foote, Founder and Senior Pastor, Faith Tabernacle Apostolic Church
- Welcome: Mayor Ken McClure
- EJI representative, Gabrielle Daniels
- Establishment of Springfield’s African American Heritage Trail: Dr. Lyle Foster
- Choir Presentation: Reed Academy Middle School
- Marker unveiling.
WHO: Springfield Community Remembrance Coalition, in partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative
Coalition members include: Lawrence Anderson, Teresa Bledsoe, Cheryl Clay, Lyle Foster, Jason Gage, Hope Gallamore, Yvania Garcia-Pusateri, Joan Gentry, Melissa Haase, Stephen Hall, Jack and Carolyn Hembree, Monica Horton, Ken McClure, Wes Pratt, Allison Pilley, Cora Scott and John Sellars.
WHEN: 10 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019
WHERE: Park Central Square.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Cora Scott, 417-380-3352 (mobile), [email protected] or Stephen Hall, 417-350-5419 or [email protected].