MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – One North Carolina man is traveling through the South’s Black Belt this month in a North Carolina A&T-themed bus, documenting and sharing pivotal moments in African American history that have often been overlooked in mainstream historical narratives.
Burgess Bailey’s journey through the region, which spans 17 counties across Alabama and other Southern states, aims to educate both himself and community members about the contributions, struggles and triumphs of black Americans throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
The bus itself serves as a rolling museum, with displays highlighting critical moments in Black history, particularly events that shaped civil rights advancement in the South.
Among the most significant displays are the names of foot soldiers from Bloody Sunday, the 1965 voting rights march in Selma, Alabama. Bailey’s research has uncovered the names of some foot soldiers whose contributions were never recorded in history books, bringing long-overdue recognition to their courage and sacrifice.
“To acknowledge, honor, and remember,” Bailey said, describing the mission behind his efforts. “We like to acknowledge all that was involved throughout the 1960s for the voting rights, equal access to public facilities, the bathrooms, water fountains, and voting. And then also, integration for education.”
Bailey created the acronym B.A.R.E. to describe his approach to historical reflection: Blacks Acknowledging their Roots of Education. The concept encompasses the challenges African Americans faced from the 1900s through the 1960s civil rights era and traces the path to where communities stand today.
The bus displays explore voting rights struggles, access to public facilities, desegregation efforts and educational integration, offering visitors a comprehensive overview of this transformative period.
The educational initiative draws inspiration from Carter G. Woodson, known as the father of Black history, whose legacy of documenting African American contributions remains foundational to historical preservation and recognition.
Following Bailey’s tour through the Black Belt, the displays will be dismantled and donated to a summer camp in Lowndes County, Alabama. The camp will use the materials to educate young people about Black history in their own community, extending the educational impact of Bailey’s work beyond his travels and ensuring that future generations have access to these important historical narratives.
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