Alabama Pilgrimage Reflections by Dr. Lafayette Maxwell: The Gift of Black Bottom, Beloved Community

This is the photo that Dr. Lafayette Maxwell describes taking at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church

This episode is part of my Alabama Pilgrimage series, where I interview friends who traveled with me through the important sites of the Civil Rights Movement. Each episode, one pilgrim shares their memories and reflections from the trip, starting with myself. We hope you will enjoy listening to each of these stories.

Today's pilgrim is Dr. Lafayette Maxwell. Dr. Maxwell is a graduate of Duke Divinity School and has a doctorate from the Virginia Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology. He's currently a professor at Shaw University, a pastor at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, and frequent guest presenter of the Black Empowerment National Broadcast.

Duke Ellington stops by Jacksonville in 1955 while on tour

Dr. Maxwell shares his memories of growing up in the Black Bottom neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida. It was a place where he felt the love of his community all around him. Today he wants to instill that same sense of pride and community in the spaces he lives and serves. His memories are vivid, appealing, and joyful. From being a pastor to work as a radio broadcaster and DJ, Dr. Maxwell operates with a sense of purpose. I think I could have listened to his stories all day. He has gone on two pilgrimages.

If you would like to learn more about the Alabama Pilgrimage, visit the DurhamCares website. You can connect with Dr. Maxwell through is email address: Lmaxwell@nc.rr.com.

You can hear more about Jacksonville, FL segregation history and Ax Handle Saturday here. 

The Strand Theater in Jacksonville, FL -- one of three theaters that served Black movie lovers 

The music in this series is entitled Brothers and Sisters by Alana Jordan on Pixabay.