A Panel Discussion for Black History Month

 

The Johns Island Conservancy and the St Johns Parish Rotary Club are sponsoring a panel discussion for Black History month.   “A Conversation About Civil Rights” will be held at the Johns Island Library on Monday, March 24 at 6PM (rescheduled from February 12).     Bill Saunders and Minerva King will be on the panel with the Rev. Sidney Frazier moderating.

 

William “Bill” Saunders grew up and still lives on Johns Island.   He served in the US Army during the Korean War where he was wounded though did not receive his purple heart until 2002.   He has a long history in the Civil Rights movement.   He hosted a talk show on WPAL radio in the 1960’s and ultimately became owner of the station.   He has received many honors including induction into both the South Carolina Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame.   He currently serves as a commissioner for the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor and as founder and director of the Committee on Better Racial Assurance (COBRA).

 

Minerva Brown King grew up in Charleston where her father was head of the SC NAACP.   On April 1, 1960, she was one of two dozen African American students who sat in at the then segregated S.H. Kress lunch counter on King Street.   She was arrested and jailed for that sit in as well as a subsequent demonstration at the Post and Courier’s offices. She received her undergraduate degree from Lincoln University and her Master of Science Degree in Library Science from Case Western Reserve University.   She is a well-known folk story teller appearing frequently at lowcountry events.   She is also currently the librarian at St. Johns High School.

 

Rev. Sidney Frazier is founder and pastor of Full Faith Ministries on Johns Island.   The ministry is active in mentoring young boys and men in local schools.   Sidney is also Vice President of Horticulture at Middleton Plantation which is nationally renowned for its gardens and landscape.   Rev. Frazier grew up on James Island and currently resides with his family on Johns Island.