Events for Dover’s 2025 Citywide Black History Celebration
Dover Public Library
Joshua Parker: The Godfather of Kent County
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
6 p.m.
Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza Dover DE
Joshua Parker was born in Dover in 1831. His father was a body servant for John Middleton Clayton one of Delaware’s most powerful politicians during the 19th century. When Joshua was 14, he followed in his father’s footsteps and became the body servant to several wealthy and politically powerful Delawareans.
These contacts gave Joshua access to the rich and the powerful of the state of Delaware and after the Civil War these connections led to political appointments in Washington, DC. All of these politicians were Republicans and Joshua became a key promoter of recruiting African Americans in Dover to vote Republican.
In 1892, A. Worthington Brinkley, a Negro, came to Dover to convince the African American Community that they should leave the Republican Party and join his all African American “Independent Colored Republican Party.” Joshua Parker organized a mob to kill A. Worthington Brinkley.
This lecture, presented by local historian Syl Woolford, gives insight as to how African Americans participate in the political process during the 19th Century and the challenges which they faced. This drama is a “don’t miss” presentation!
African American Archaeology: New York African Burial Ground Project Experience
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
6 p.m.
Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza Dover DE
This presentation, led by Ms. Tamara Burks, recounts the story of an 18th Century African Burial Ground that was re-discovered and unearthed in Lower Manhattan in New York City, New York. The human remains of men, women, and children found tell a story of triumph over tragedy. Archaeology, not the written record, allows us to look into another world, which in its rich and varied form has made a vital contribution to the cultural understanding of all of the cultures of the Americans and beyond. The African Burial ground went on to become a national historic landmark and memorial that can still be visited today.
Ms. Burks was a historical researcher for the New York African Burial Ground Project. The African Burial Ground Project administrative office was physically located at 6 World Trade Center (U.S. Customs building) in New York City and was destroyed on 9/11/2001.
African American Heritage: Through a Doll’s Eye
Saturday, February 15, 2025
1 p.m.
Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza Dover DE
Join Anita Smitherman to discuss dolls representing African Americans, and a talk about the history of dolls including a small display.
Delaware State University
2025 Black Male Initiative Conference; Ignite your vision, lead your future
Thursday, February 20, 2025
8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Delaware State University, Main Campus 1200 N Dupont Highway, Dover DE
This Conference is for High School and College aged students.
Sessions include:
- Live entrepreneurship sessions
- Steps to starting a business
- Fireside chats with successful entrepreneurs and business owners
- Learn the keys to business success
- Success with social media
- Participate in a pitch competition to win $6,000 prize money
Inspiring young Black men to turn their ideas into action and become the architects of their success. Register at https://dsubmiconference.com/
Old State House
Paul Robeson’s Sacrifice
Saturday, February 1, 2025
1 p.m.
Old State House, 25 The Green Dover
Local historian Syl Woolford will present a program on the activism of Paul Robeson a singer, actor, and Broadway performer of the early 20th century. Robeson traveled the world performing and became a rich man. During his travels he found as an African American man he was often treated better in other countries than he was in the United States. In the late 1940s he decided to turn his attention to addressing racism throughout the world, especially in the United States. His stance impacted his career, his fortune, and his health. While Robeson remains a controversial figure in American history his life is worth studying to understand how we got the America we live in today.
First State Heritage Park
Company 3269-C: The Story of the CCC at Bombay Hook
Saturday, February 1, 2025
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
John Bell House 43 The Green, Dover DE
First Saturday in the First State! In 1938, a new company was formed under the Civilian Conservation Corps. Company 3269-C was a completely segregated African-American group in the CCC–one of the only ones like it in Delaware. Without their hard work, the refuge known as Bombay Hook would not exist. Join us at the John Bell House to hear their story from 10 AM – 3 PM on February 1st. This program is FREE to the public.