February is Black History Month. Upper Arlington has its own remarkable Black History. Many of you have heard the name Pleasant Litchford, a man born in 1789, who purchased his family’s freedom out of slavery in Lynchberg, Virginia. They moved to what is now our home town of Upper Arlington. UA resident, Historian, and Founding Chair of the James Preston Poindexter Foundation, Reita Smith, explains that the well-being of a community is like a tree. You must take care of the roots in order for it to grow healthy and strong. In this way, we must take care of our history, the roots from which we grow as a community.
PANEL SERIES PART 1: HIDDEN ROOTS
In collaboration with the UA School District, the UA Historical Society, and many other valuable organizations around town, the City of Upper Arlington would welcomed the esteemed panelists below to learn more about the rediscovery of Pleasant Litchford’s cemetery and story. We were honored to welcome Carl Smallwood, UAHS Class of ’74, Co-Director, Divided Community Project, to facilitate the discussion.
WATCH THE RECORDING HERE.
PANEL SERIES PART 2: NEW GROWTH
The work of the authors and the dedication of school leadership have brought renewed focus to the story of Pleasant Litchford here in Upper Arlington. We have learned so much about these uncovered roots. Our community is now committed to reclaiming the life and legacy of the Litchford family as our own Upper Arlington history, one that connects us to the greater community of central Ohio and beyond.
In collaboration with the UA School District, the UA Historical Society, and many other valuable organizations around town, the City of Upper Arlington would welcomed the esteemed panelists below to learn more about the rediscovery of Pleasant Litchford’s cemetery and story. We were honored to welcome Carl Smallwood, UAHS Class of ’74, Co-Director, Divided Community Project, to facilitate the discussion.
WATCH THE RECORDING HERE.
