This is season two of the Mississippi Freedom Trail Podcast, where the people who pushed for Civil Rights--and their family members--tell their stories of the role they played in the state's Civil Rights Movement. You’ll hear the real stories of people who drew from courage and persistence to make voting a reality for the Black residents of Mississippi. In this first of four episodes, we begin in Hattiesburg to tell the story of Vernon Dahmer.

Trip-Planning Resources:

• Visit Hattiesburg
• The Mississippi Freedom Trail
• The U.S. Civil Rights Trail

This episode features the voices and perspectives of:

• Dennis Dahmer
• Ellie Dahmer

To learn more about the life of Vernon Dahmer:

• Mississippi Encyclopedia / Vernon Dahmer

Listen to this in-depth exploration of Bloody Monday, a public library protest, and organized marches that were met with violent backlash.

Resources:

• Explore Virginia's sites on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail
• Learn even more about Danville's history and how to visit
• Check out other states and stories along the U.S. Civil Rights Trail

This episode features the voices and perspectives of:

• Dr. Robert Vinson, Director of the Carter G. Woodson Institute for African American and African Studies at the University of Virginia
• Karice Luck-Brimmer, Local Danville Historian
• Sherman Saunders, former Danville mayor, current City Council member
• Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander, Endowed Professor of Virginia Black History and Culture at Norfolk State University

Listen to the inspiring stories of individuals who sparked real change in Fredericksburg, Virginia, through school protests and department store sit-ins.

Resources:

• Explore Virginia's sites on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail
• Learn even more about Fredericksburg's history and how to visit
• Check out other states and stories along the U.S. Civil Rights Trail

This episode features the voices and perspectives of:

• Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater
• Lateefah Muhammad
• Mary Malone
• Clarence Todd
• Dr. Gaila Sims, Curator and Public Historian