Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
1950 Walker-Grant Protest
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Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 2, 2024
1. 1950 Walker-Grant Protest Marker
Inscription.
1950 Walker-Grant Protest. 🎓. When Black seniors from Walker Grant High School sought to have their commencement exercises at the Fredericksburg Community Center, which is now the Dorothy Hart Community Center, their request was denied. Two weeks later, upon further review by city officials, a compromise was reached wherein the Black graduates would be allowed to receive their diplomas from the side entrance. This option proved to be unacceptable to those 27 students. On June 6, 1950, they decided to march in protest from the community center to this church, Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site). Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. B.H. Hester and the congregation, the students received their diplomas with the dignity they deserved.
When Black seniors from Walker Grant High School sought to have their commencement exercises at the Fredericksburg Community Center, which is now the Dorothy Hart Community Center, their request was denied. Two weeks later, upon further review by city officials, a compromise was reached wherein the Black graduates would be allowed to receive their diplomas from the side entrance. This option proved to be unacceptable to those 27 students. On June 6, 1950, they decided to march in protest from the community center to this church, Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site). Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. B.H. Hester and the congregation, the students received their diplomas with the dignity they deserved.
Location. 38° 18.142′ N, 77° 27.446′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Marker is on Sophia Street just north of Hanover Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 Sophia St, Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 2, 2024
2. Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 50 times since then. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 2, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
