Cultural Event #3: Celebration of Storer College

On Monday, February 25th; I attended A Celebration of Storer College. It featured a documentary film by Midge Flinn Yost titled Storer College: A Legacy of Light and Learning. A discussion was also led by Dr. Dawne Raines Burke. I learned a lot about Storer College which was set i Harpers Ferry, WV from 1867 until it closed in 1955. The college's legacy remains and represents a movement as it educated newly freed slaves.

The film featured lessons about how education was important to the blacks as this school was the only one around that they could attend back then. In 1867, John Storer offered $10,000 to fund the school. Education proved intelligence for blacks and that blacks could learn and truly wanted to. Storer was an important place to the race as if it hadn't existed; segregation might still exist today. The film featured lessons of self determination and how it helps us realize our greatest humanity as existing beings. One of Anne Dudley's students wrote a poem that glorified the free black legacy. A memorable quote from the film was her quote itself. As the student noted "Before I'll be a slave, I'll be carried off to my grave."

Me and Midge Flinn Yost, the filmmaker.

Many of the teachers experienced cruelty as well as they were referred to as "negro teachers." The local newspapers even included derogatory articles about the teachers of Storer College. Storer started with two locations: one in Bluefield, WV and the other in Charlestown, WV. In 1921, the college was granted Junior College status and was granted another two years in 1934. Many blacks aspired for positive goals for a career that would be productive. Families gave up much more to go to Storer as they struggled immensely. Retired teachers from Ivy League schools helped out at Storer. The diverse, intense spiritual training  took place as Chapel services were held every Sunday morning for blacks to engage. Their gymnasium was even a barn, but they enjoyed it very much.

At the time, blacks couldn't protest because they had no support. One interviewee mentioned that it would've been like committing suicide because they were not welcome. Storer alumni continue to have reunions every August as it is meaningful not only to their heritage, but to themselves as graduates. It gives them a sense of personal empowerment as the campus is still open to visitors year round in Harper's Ferry.

Following the film I was privileged enough to meet the film maker, Midge Flinn Yost as well as many spunky and fun loving alumni that actually went to Storer. I recall one of the spunky women who went there stood up and mentioned how depressing the video made it look compared to how much fun she used to have. I didn't get her name, but I'll always remember her sweet smile and her funny sayings. She mentioned how they used to go up on hills and drink wine on weeknights. Overall, the event was a great way to engage with the community as well as fellow Shepherd students.