Essay by Nyjah Parker

My great-great grandfather, Bryd Oliver, was described as a gentle man who loved his family and his community. He was a resident of Forsyth County within a community called Oscarville. Bryd Oliver resided in Oscarville at a time when African Americans strived towards “Freedom” and “Freewill” by building their own homes with their construction and carpentry skills. Byrd and other African Americans of Oscarville also grew essential goods on their farmland and raised animals, with a specialty skill such as chicken incubation. During that time, my great-great grandfather was also the local pastor for the black community…

Essay by Chase Evans

She grew up distinctly molded by the experiences that immediately followed my family’s expulsion. Yet she went on to get an education through 8th grade but possessed much more wisdom than what her education allotted her. She married during the depression and lived in little more than a barn made home, bartering butter to make the ends meet to support her 5 children and their education. Her efforts were not in vain by any means.