Black History in the Big Country: From Stamford’s All-Black school to Abilene’s forgotten football team

BIG COUNTRY, Texas (BigCountryHomepage.com) – Black history across the Big Country is rich, from Abilene to Stamford and everywhere in between. In honor of Black History Month, BigCountryHomepage delved into these stories throughout February.

Abilene Christian University kicks off Black History Month with gospel choir performance

Abilene Christian University (ACU) held a special chapel Monday, marking the start of its Black History Month celebrations with a gospel choir performance. The campus has hosted events all month long to honor the impact African Americans had on the country while also celebrating Black culture.

Pastor Andrew Penns receives 2024 Distinguished Abilenian Award

The Abilene Association of Realtors held its annual luncheon Tuesday, revealing its 2024 Distinguished Abilenian Award as community leader and pastor Andrew Penns.

Pastor Penns has served as a board member and director for multiple local nonprofits. He also helped restore the city’s Black history with the Curtis House Cultural Center. For the past 30 years, though, he’s best been known to deliver a moving sermon or two at Valley View Baptist Church.

HSU observes MLK Day in Abilene with 2nd Annual Big Country Prayer Breakfast

Despite the frigid temps, the show must go on for those passionate about the late Reverend Martin Luther King Junior on what would have been his 95th birthday on Monday morning.

Hardin-Simmons University (HSU) hosted its second annual MLK Big Country Prayer Breakfast Monday morning, complete with praise to the civil rights leader, some captivating speakers, and food.

From Barber to College Advisor: Gerald Wilkerson’s journey to help students succeed

A local barber named Gerald Wilkerson has been styling hair in Abilene for more than 20 years. However, he is now making an impact in a new role as a part-time barber and full-time college advisor at Cooper High School, where he helps students shape their futures.

Abilene Parks & Rec hosts city-wide Black history-themed scavenger hunt

The Abilene Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a Black History Month-themed scavenger hunt all month as a fun way to get residents out and learn more about our town’s history.

‘They come crying… leaving laughing’: Sacred Heart priest leads by faith in the Big Country

Born in Nigeria, Father Albert Ezeanya developed an interest in becoming a spiritual leader from a young age. Now a priest at Sacred Heart Parish in Abilene and Sts. Joachim & Ann Mission in Clyde, he shares his perspective on what it means to be a spiritual leader.

Student returns to Stamford’s ‘All Black’ school as city commemorates history

First opening its doors in 1916, the Booker T. Washington School was Stamford’s all-black school until the system ended segregation in 1965. While time has taken its toll on the building, leaving little more than four walls and a chimney, the community and some former students have taken it upon themselves to salvage what they can and preserve the school’s history. The city dedicated a monument on the site on Thursday, February 8th.

Abilene’s Carter G. Woodson Rams: The football team that lived in the shadows

Throughout the 1950s, Chuck Moser’s Abilene High Eagles were the talk of the town and won three straight state championships in the mid-fifties. But during that era, there was another Abilene school making waves.

The All-Black Carter G. Woodson Rams was a program that made two state football championship appearances in 1953 and 1956 in what was known as the All-Black Prairie View Interscholastic League. Despite falling short in the title games, they were still representing the Key City while playing in the shadows.

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