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Great Golden Gathering 2015: History Made i

34 views · Published 1 September 2015 · 1:32 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2015 · News & Politics

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50 years ago African-Americans marched for the right to vote at Selma and Washington. That same year many African-American high schools closed for integration in upper East Tennessee.
NewsChannel 9's Calvin Sneed had the honor of being the chairman of an event called the Great Golden Gathering 2015.  It was a huge reunion that commemorated the closings of those schools, back in 1965.
Alumni from Knoxville to Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol and on up into Southwest Virginia, gathered to reconnect with former classmates, relive athletic competitions, and renew friendships made, more than 50 years ago.
Reverend Jesse Jackson was invited, but unable to attend the event.  He did send his well wishes.  "I wish so much to be with you tonight, the graduates of the predominately black high schools in upper East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia," Rev. Jackson said in a video clip played at the event banquet.  "What you present is such a glorious achievement.  50 years ago in the threads of legal segregation, we as black people were not supposed to learn, but we did anyway."
Reverend Jackson also told the group that the fight for Civil Rights is not over, that work still needs to be done.
Guest Speaker for the event was Gloria Sweet-Love, president of the Tennessee Chapter of the NAACP.
The Great Golden Gathering 2015 was held in Bristol, Virginia.

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