Same Class on Wilmington History Yields New Lessons

By Roderick McClain

09-09-10 – For the third straight year, Wilmington's YWCA is offering a course exploring issues of race and justice in the Cape Fear Region. Wilmington In Black and White organizers say that although the curriculum is the same from year to year, participants get a different experience each time.

The focus of the series ranges from the riot of 1898 to World War II to the Civil Rights movement and beyond.

Stephanie Avery is the Special Programs Director for Wilmington's YWCA. She says some of the best instruction comes from community dialogue shared during breakout sessions.

"It is an open and honest environment and we encourage that. We want people to ask questions that typically aren't something that you would talk about elsewhere."

Instructors include Timothy B. Tyson, author of Blood Done Sign My Name, and Mary D. Williams, one of the country's premier gospel singers.

Learn more about the course.