SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS

LEFT -RIGHT) Dorothy Gordon, (CEOTA) Board Member; William D. Smothers, publisher of Speakin’ Out News; and Frances Tate, artist and founder of Celebrating Early Old Town with Arts (CEOTA). (photo credit: Speakin’ Out News)

A remarkable gathering unfolded recently at Speakin’ Out News. It featured Frances Tate, a distinguished artist, and the visionary be- hind “Celebrating Early Old Town with Arts” (CEOTA), alongside Dorothy Gordon, a dedicated Board Member from Decatur, Alabama.

The focal point of discussion revolved around CEOTA’s ambitious ini- tiative to establish a museum commemorating Decatur’s pivotal role in the historic “Scottsboro Boys’ Trials.” These trials, famously known for the wrongful accusation of a group of African American boys for the alleged rape of two white women, saw the intervention of the U.S.Supreme Court, which demanded a new trial. Upon the relocation of the trial from Scottsboro, Alabama, to Decatur, the city bore witness to this significant chapter in American legal history.

The envisioned museum aims to serve as an invaluable educational resource for the youth of Decatur and its neighboring areas as well as aspiring legal professionals. It will stand as a testament to understanding the past and its enduring impact on society.

Following the enlightening discussion, attendees were treated to a tour showcasing the genesis of Speakin’ Out News, which originated in Decatur, Alabama, in 1980. It was a delightful moment of nostalgia as Dorothy Gordon, the organization’s inaugural secretary, revisited her roots. The meeting concluded on a note of profound inspiration, underscoring the power of collaboration and remembrance in shaping a brighter future.

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