Wisconsin's African American History

Clayborn Benson will discuss Wisconsin's unique African American History

Clayborn Benson, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Black Historical Society will be speaking In response about Wisconsin’s unique African American history, from the frontiersmen of James Beckwith to the Bunger’s of the northwest, to the lead mines in southeastern Wisconsin, early settlers and laws that impacted African Americans. He will also discuss the efforts of African Americans to start their own businesses as early as the 1850s, to the Pan-American efforts of Jonathan J. Meyers who explored the opportunity to create a settlement in Nigeria, to the early civil rights efforts of William T. Greene to pass the public accommodation bill, that did pass. The efforts of Lucius Palmer the first elected representative of the 10th state district, which was the richest district in Wisconsin at the time, to Booker T. Washington’s visit, and his impact from the turn of the century to the 1960s. The desire of African Americans to have representation, prompted this vote.

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