About
Our third program in the U.S. Semiquincentennial Series invites the community to reflect on the long struggle for freedom, equality, and civil rights in Missouri and the nation. Through an examination of slavery, segregation, and the ongoing pursuit of universal civil rights, this program considers how the ideals of the American Revolution have been expanded—and contested—over 250 years.
A central focus of the discussion is Shady Grove Cemetery in Cape Girardeau, one of the region’s most important historic African American burial grounds. As a resting place for formerly enslaved individuals, community leaders, veterans, and generations of Black Missourians, Shady Grove stands as a powerful testament to endurance, resilience, and cultural memory. The cemetery also reflects the inequities and segregated systems that shaped life in 19th- and 20th-century Missouri, revealing both the weight of injustice and the strength of those who persevered despite it.
Through historical interpretation, personal narratives, and community insights, this program traces the arc from enslavement to emancipation, from Jim Crow to the modern civil rights movement, and from exclusion to the continuing work toward equality. Participants will be encouraged to consider how local stories—such as those held within Shady Grove Cemetery—illuminate the broader national journey toward fulfilling the promise of liberty and justice for all.
This event continues The Kellerman Foundation’s commitment to preparing for America’s 250th anniversary by exploring the complexities of our shared past and inspiring thoughtful engagement with the future.
