Welcome to Kin + Dignity Online! This is the place for all things small town and Southern including features, lifestyle tips, and short stories!
Discover the remarkable journey of Marthene Talley, born in the midst of the Great Depression in 1932, a year President Herbert Hoover called "one of the worst in history." Against all odds, Marthene's life story reflects her unwavering faith in God and her deep commitment to family. Join us in celebrating her incredible journey and the generations she continues to inspire.
Read MoreNothing in Dr. Gillis’ career as an African historian and professor spanning three decades is more consistent than the gravitational pull of her small-town Virginian roots and her innate ability to “look back” to advance the African American agenda. Sankofa is a word in the Akan language of Ghana that means “go back and get it” and can translate as “to look into one’s past in order to move forward.” This is the common denominator in Dr. Gillis’ personal and professional life – it’s her Sankofa way.
Read MoreOklahoma, affectionately known as “The Sooner State”, has such a rich Black history that few people know about. These boroughs provided African Americans a safe haven where they thrived freely from racial prejudices and brutality found in other racially mixed communities of the Midwest and the South. In Oklahoma and Indian Territories, African Americans would establish their own communities for numerous reasons. Liberation from discrimination and abuse would be a motivating factor.
Read MoreIf you’ve ever witnessed the black excellence portrayed in the movie ‘Hidden Figures’, you will understand the depth of discovery we have truly found with getting to know former NASA scientists Dr. Walter and Dr. Alice Pendleton. They’ve overcome adversities, segregation, and broken boundaries that were meant to anchor down their ambitious dreams. We traveled to the couple’s home located in Hempstead, TX, just down the way from Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), a historical black college, to learn more about this dynamic duo whose love story started over 49 years ago.
Read MoreWhen Oklahoma is mentioned in every day life, we rarely talk about its all-Black town movement. Today, you’ll learn about the rich history of one of the remaining black towns in the state — the town of Langston.
Read MoreThe residents in Wake, Virginia, were either domestics, farmers, or fishermen. But my father had much bigger dreams! Dreams of any kind outside of the norm in Wake were audacious! Learn about Emanuel Mansfield, the man who was known as “The Songbird” and had dreams of becoming a concert tenor. Despite life’s challenges, he accomplished his dreams and so much more.
Read MoreOn June 19, 1865, news finally reached Galveston, Texas, announcing that the war had ended, and all enslaved people were now free. From that day forward, June 19th became known as Freedom Day for African Americans, the day to celebrate the emancipation of the enslaved. Why, then, have African Americans celebrated someone else’s Freedom Day and not our own?
Read MoreThe world needs to thank 17-year-old Darnella Frazier for standing bravely for those 9 ½ minutes as the most critical witness to the public execution of George Floyd.
Read MoreConnie Perry sits down with Kin + Dignity Magazine to share Her Story, 1968 from Wilmington, Delaware. She talks her experience in the civil rights movement and how her involvement led to working with the future 46th POTUS.
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