Black History

Unearthing History: The Remarkable Journey of John Wesley Gilbert

John Wesley Gilbert, a trailblazing figure, broke barriers as an educator, missionary, and the first African American archaeologist. Notably, he was the inaugural graduate of Paine College and the first African American to earn a master’s degree from Brown University.

Published

1 year ago

October 3, 2023

Oakland Post

John Wesley Gilbert had a wide-ranging career as a professor, archaeologist and minister. Wikipedia photo.

By Tamara Shiloh

Born free on July 6, 1863, in Hephzibah, Georgia, to Gabriel and Sarah, who were formerly enslaved farm hands, Gilbert’s early life revolved around education and hard work. After attending local public schools while laboring on a farm, he enrolled at Augusta Institute in 1878, where he later embarked on a teaching career at Ware High School in Richmond, Georgia.

Gilbert’s craving for knowledge led him to become the first student at the newly established Paine College in Augusta, where he studied Greek and other foreign languages from 1884 to 1886. His academic journey then took him to Brown University in Rhode Island, where he stood among the first 10 Black students and earned his A.B. degree in 1888.

In 1888, he began dating Osceola K. Pleasant, a teacher and Paine College and Fisk University graduate. The couple married in 1889 and raised four children together. During his time at Brown University, Gilbert received a scholarship to attend the American School of Classics in Athens, Greece, becoming the first African American to participate in archaeological fieldwork.

His excavations led to the discovery of the ancient Greek city of Eretria, and he crafted the first map of the area. Returning to Brown in 1891, Gilbert focused on archaeology and made history again, becoming the first African American to earn an advanced degree from the university — a master’s in Archaeology in 1891.

After his academic pursuits, Gilbert brought his wealth of knowledge back to Paine College in the fall of 1891. Now a professor, he taught Greek, Latin, English, French, German, and Hebrew, becoming the first African American instructor at the institution.

Gilbert’s dedication extended to theological studies at Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta in 1896, where he received his Doctorate of Divinity degree and became a Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) minister. His scholarly contributions earned him a prestigious position within the American Philological Association in 1897.

Dr. Gilbert accepted the position of president at Miles College in Fairfield, Alabama, in 1913. His passion for education remained unyielding, leading him back to Paine College, where he taught Greek, Hebrew, and New Testament literature. Concurrently, he served as the Dean of the Divinity School until his retirement in 1920.

On Nov. 18, 1923, the world mourned the loss of John Wesley Gilbert, a true pioneer and visionary, in Augusta, Georgia. In honor of his legacy, a low-income housing project was named after him in 1941, and in 1968, Paine College dedicated a Chapel to commemorate both Gilbert and Rev. Walter R. Lambuth.

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Activism

LIVE! — TOWN HALL ON RACISM AND ITS IMPACT — THURS. 11.14.24 5PM PST

Join us for a LIVE Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of Racism hosted by Post News Group Journalist Carla Thomas and featuring Oakland, CA NAACP President Cynthia Adams & other Special Guests.
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PST

Published

5 days ago

November 12, 2024

Oakland Post

Discussion Topics:
• Since the pandemic, what battles have the NAACP fought nationally, and how have they impacted us locally?
• What trends are you seeing concerning Racism? Is it more covert or overt?
• What are the top 5 issues resulting from racism in our communities?
• How do racial and other types of discrimination impact local communities?
• What are the most effective ways our community can combat racism and hate?

Your questions and comments will be shared LIVE with the moderators and viewers during the broadcast.

STREAMED LIVE!
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X: twitter.com/blackpressusa

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Oakland Post: Week of November 6 – 12, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 6 – 12, 2024

Published

1 week ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

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NAACP California-Hawaii State Convention Highlights Black Voter Engagement, and More

A Friday panel featuring NAACP Chairman Leon W. Russell and Regina Wilson, Executive Director of California Black Media, examined Project 2025, an initiative perceived as a potential threat to civil rights, healthcare access, and environmental protection. This session emphasized Project 2025’s projected impact on Black communities, noting that policies within the initiative could diminish gains in civil and environmental rights over decades. Russell and Wilson highlighted the need for vigilant monitoring and community mobilization to address these challenges.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 4, 2024

Oakland Post

NAACP State Conference President Rick Callender (right) engages in a discussion on voter engagement and community advocacy with NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson during the 37th NAACP California-Hawaii State Convention in Los Angeles. Photo by Rich Woods.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

The 37th NAACP California-Hawaii State Convention concluded on Sunday, Oct 27, following four days of discussions and workshops at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott. Bringing together civil rights leaders, policymakers, and advocates from California and Hawaii, the convention operated under the theme “All In.” The participants discussed critical issues impacting Black communities, including criminal justice reform, health equity, economic empowerment, education, environmental justice, and voting rights.

On Saturday, the President’s Fireside Chat brought together NAACP President Derrick Johnson and CA/HI State Conference President Rick Callender, who discussed the urgency of voter engagement and community advocacy.

Guest speakers included Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA-43), who spoke at the Women in NAACP (WIN) Labor Luncheon about the intersection of labor rights and civil rights. California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond delivered remarks at the Leadership Dinner on education equity, focusing on policies to ensure all students have access to high-quality education.

Honors were given to longtime social justice advocate and former Assemblymember Mike Davis for his work in community activism. At the same time, actor and activist Danny Glover and the Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown received the 2024 Legacy Hall of Fame Awards, recognizing their lifelong commitments to advancing civil rights.

The convention also offered practical workshops, including “What’s On Your Ballot?,” where coalition leaders provided analyses of California propositions, explaining their potential impacts on community rights and resources. The Voter Turnout Workshop provided background and encouraged participants to promote voter turnout through community-centered outreach strategies.

Sunday’s events closed with a Prayer and Memorial Breakfast honoring the contributions of past and current civil rights leaders.