Category: Talks

Collision on Route 40: New Delaware Humanities Talk

I am pleased to announce that Delaware Humanities has selected my new talk, “Collision on Route 40: Cold War Tensions & Civil Rights,” for inclusion in the 2024-25 Speakers Bureau and Visiting Scholars program. This presentation delves into the unexpected role that Route 40, stretching across Delaware and Maryland, played as a battleground for Cold War tensions and the civil rights movement.

This vital corridor, linking Baltimore to the Delaware Memorial Bridge, witnessed the intersection of significant historical forces. Here, international diplomacy, African decolonization, Jim Crow laws, Soviet propaganda, and the courageous actions of Freedom Riders converged, creating a unique challenge for the Kennedy administration.  This talk will explore how these global tensions and domestic policies collided on Route 40, shaping the social and political landscape of the era

This complex history impacted international relations and local communities, establishing Route 40 as a focal point in the broader narratives of the Cold War and civil rights movement.   

The Delaware Humanities Speakers Program connects scholars with community groups, organizations, libraries, and K-12 classrooms throughout the state. These programs allow those with expertise in various humanities-centered fields to give enriching and informative presentations to local audiences.

Presentations are offered in two formats:

  1. Speakers Bureau Presentations – designed for public audiences.
  2. Visiting Scholars Presentations – tailored specifically for elementary and secondary school students.

If you want to book the Route 40 civil rights talk through the Humanities, click this link for more information.

Route 40 civil rights
A busy Route 40 in 1961. (Source: Life Magazine, 1961)

Temperance & Prohibition Talk at Court House Museum

beer parade detroit
1932 beer parade in Detroit, Michigan (Detroit News Photo, Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University)

I am pleased to speak at the New Castle Court House Museum on August 6, 2024, at 7 p.m. about the history of temperance and prohibition. 

The talk, part of the museum’s annual “History Revival” summer series, examines the historical attempts to regulate alcohol consumption over the centuries, with an emphasis on Prohibition. During the lecture, we will delve into compelling stories of rumrunners, moonshiners, bathtub gin, Coast Guard rum patrols, and the intriguing personalities that emerged during this era. We will also navigate the intricate landscape of Garden State politics, organized crime, and the influential role of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.

“Pass the Rum” is made possible in part by Delaware Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.

The “History Revival,” an annual summer program, is sponsored by the New Castle Historial Society and the New Castle Court House Museum, a division of y Delaware Historical and Cultural Affairs .

The program occurs at the Court House, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, DE.

For more information, click this link:

temperance prohibition talk new castle court house museum
Pass the Rum, a temperance and prohibition talk in New Castle.

Keynote Speaker Discusses Richness of African American History at NAACP Banquet

I had the privilege of delivering the keynote address at the annual Cecil County Branch of the NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet on November 4, 2023. My speech focused on the richness of African American History and the invaluable contributions of earlier generations.

Cecil County Branch NAACP Annual Banquet
Cecil County Branch NAACP 61st Annual Banquet

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to learn about the past from a remarkable group of tradition-bearers who have generously shared their stories and life experiences. Their experiences have greatly influenced my understanding of the African American narrative. I was delighted to be able to share some of these remarkable journeys through time, tracing the footsteps of those who illuminated the way and highlighting their incredible contributions, resilience, and deep family history.

The Cecil County Branch was organized in February 1962. A front-page photo in the Cecil Democrat showed the officers meeting to organize at Wright’s AME Church in Elkton. McKinley Scott of North East was the Vice-President; Mildred Johnson of Elkton treasurer; Rev. H. R. Curtis, Elkton, President; and Laurie Loper Charlestown, secretary.

It was an honor to join the NAACP in celebrating and reflecting on the enduring legacy of African Americans.

african american history
Talking about African American History, Mike Dixon was the keynote speaker at the NAACP Banquet

Prohibition in New Jersey – A Talk at the Avalon History Center

I am pleased to be at the Avalon Library on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. to explore the fascinating subject of temperance and prohibition in New Jersey. This talk, part of the Avalon History Center’s speakers series, will shed light on the region’s unique perspective on the centuries-long effort to control and regulate alcohol consumption while placing it in a national context.

During the lecture, we will delve into compelling stories of rumrunners, moonshiners, bathtub gin, Coast Guard rum patrols, and the intriguing personalities that emerged during this era. We will also navigate the intricate landscape of Garden State politics, organized crime, and the influential role of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.

Understanding the growing interest in this captivating period, I am excited to discuss these matters with particular consideration for the New Jersey context.

The program will be held at the Tennis Building at 250 39th St., Avalon, NJ. Remember to mark your calendar for Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.

For more information on this free program, please visit the History Center link on the Visit Avalon NJ website. I look forward to this engaging discussion as we examine and consider intriguing insights into the prohibition in New Jersey.

Bring Back Beer; end prohibition
1932 beer parade in Detroit, Michigan (Detroit News Photo, Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University)