Join us for the inaugural Otis Alumnx Discussion Groups, moderated by Marsha Hopkins ('97 BFA Fine Arts, '02 MFA Writing) in a virtual discussion with Members of the Volunteer Historian Council of the California African American Museum, Exposition Park Los Angeles, on the topic of Black Entrepreneurs and Jim Crow Laws. Panelists are Jackie Broxton, Tricia Cochee, Karani Johnson ('07 MFA Writing), Van Nickerson, and Deborah Swan.
From slavery to Reconstruction, to Black Codes, to Jim Crow Laws…
From slave to an elected official, to a property owner to a millionaire…
The trajectory from slave to millionaire during the Jim Crow period of the United States seems an impossible feat, but several former slaves did just that. Some were able to fight their way through the barrier of segregation and the hatred and fear festering in the Black Codes to achieve goals born of their intelligence, ingenuity, strength, and courage. These men and women are the Black Entrepreneurs of the Jim Crow Era. In this discussion, the panelists will share information on how these men and women found their path to success. The speakers are historians, but some are the descendants of these heroes.
Alumnx Discussion Groups is a virtual space moderated by Otis alumnx for open group discussion on all issues, ideas, and topics to develop working documents for sharing with the discussion group and alumnx community. All Otis alumnx events are free and open to all.
Zoom link to attend: otis.zoom.us/my/otisalumnxevents.
