On September 9, 1912, an eighteen-year-old white girl named Mae Crow was assaulted. She died of her injuries some days later. Rob Edwards, a Black man who was fairly new to the community, was quickly arrested for the crime and placed in the Cumming jail. A mob of white residents broke into the jail, beat and shot Rob, and strung up his body on a telephone pole in the Cumming square, where people shot at the body during the night. Soon after, four other Black neighbors were arrested, and of the group, Ernest Knox and Oscar Daniel were convicted of the crime. They were publicly hanged.

Following these events, African American churches and homes were threatened with violence if Black residents did not immediately leave the county. Within weeks, almost every Black person in Forsyth County had left—and the county remained virtually all-white until the 1980’s. Many fled overnight with whatever possessions they could carry, never to return to their homes. Processions of Black citizens were seen crossing the bridge over the Chattahoochee River to Hall County and other areas outside of Forsyth County, where they would seek a new life.

In recognition of the injustices done to Black residents of Forsyth County, Georgia, in 1912 and afterward, we as followers of Jesus would like to honor those expelled from the county by providing college scholarships to some of their descendants.

This is an act of love—doing for a few what we wish we could do for all. (This is not meant to be a repayment, a reckoning, or reparations.) We encourage our community to learn about the events of 1912 and participate in supporting the scholarship.

Each recipient will receive a four-year scholarship for $10,000 the first year, which can be continued for future years depending on funds raised and the recipient remaining in good standing at their school (e.g., maintaining a minimum of a 2.5 GPA).