Black History
Delta Resources, Experiences & Events:
February & all year long
You know about Fannie Lou Hamer -- but do you know Vera Mae Pigee?
You've heard of Medgar Evers -- but what about "Doc" Henry?
Clarksdale's Black History Experience
Come learn about our history -- directly from the people who lived it.
We begin at the tracks that took Muddy Waters from Clarksdale to Chicago, then walk through
intersections of blues, civil rights, farming, and community here -- linking past to present.
We'll share stories behind landmarks like Ground Zero, Red's, and the Red Top Lounge; the Riverside Hotel; the New Roxy and Paramount theatres; the train and Greyhound bus stations; and the businesses, churches and nonprofits still making history along the way.
Open to both travelers & our community*
ALL year long
Leaving from the front porch of Ground Zero
Each Experience is led by Brenda Luckett & locals who grew up in the community, and developed in partnership with Shared Experiences. Please be able to walk 8 blocks for 60-90min, and come hydrated and dressed for whatever the Delta weather may bring. For the calendar of future tours, click Book Now below:
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50 US dollars
* We believe history should be accessible to all of our community. Contact us to book pay-what-you can tours & programs.
Museums Without Walls: Share an Experience!
We believe you don't need a museum to tell your stories. Come write Clarksdale's next chapter with us.
Sneak Preview...
What is living Black history like? Ask Brenda Luckett:
Black History Conversations #LiveFromClarksdale
Black History Month+ in the Mississippi Delta
To honor Black History Month (+ sometimes other months!), we host Black History Conversations #LiveFromClarksdale. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to receive notification when we publish the next schedules. Conversations cover different themes before each show:
All were broadcast live and are archived online: Facebook.com/SharedExperiencesUSA
Saturday 2/6 6pm: MUSIC
Terry Harmonica Bean in conversation with Ed Whitfield
Red's Lounge
Saturday 2/13 noon: CIVIL RIGHTS & CHURCHES
Dr. Jimmy Wiley in conversation with Dr. Claudett Williams | Live music: Lucious Spiller
Future home of the North Mississippi Civil Rights Museum,
on the site of Dr. Aaron Henry's 4th St. Drugstore (check website for indoor location IF needed)
Martin Luther King & Yazoo too cold! New location: Lucious' "juke church" :)
Online at Facebook.com/SharedExperiencesUSA
Saturday 2/20 noon: BUSINESS
Johnny Newson | Live music: Anthony "Big A" Sherrod
Messenger's, Martin Luther King & Yazoo
Friday 2/26 noon: TRAVEL
Brenda Luckett | Live music: Terry "Big T" Williams
Visit Clarksdale, 326 Blues Alley
Every day, local leader and teacher Brenda Luckett shared her own experiences with an important figure in the community -- some well-known, and some not (yet)! Follow her stories on Brenda's Black History page.
Here is JoAnn Blue's conversation with Johnny Newson, followed by a performance by Anthony "Big A" Sherrod, Preston Rumbaugh & Lee Williams inside the historic Messenger's pool hall:
Intersections: Blues, Civil Rights, Farming and...
Black History isn't merely past -- it's present.
It's more than civil rights. More than music -- blues, gospel, jazz... It's overlapping, complicated, personal histories experienced as both individuals and communities.
We're exploring these intersections. Come join the journey through our multimedia projects, and travel with local leaders, bluesmen, and others along theirs.
Here's a sample of intersections we've explored:
