Monday talk to focus on first black male graduate of Columbus High School

A special Progressive Preservation talk for Black History Month will be held Monday featuring information on Granville Lee, a Columbus historic figure.

Lee has been celebrated as the first African American male student to graduate from Columbus High School, in 1901. The talk will focus on the events leading up to the May 1901 graduation ceremonies at The Crump Theatre and those afterwards. Organizers say that it will cast new light on Lee’s achievement, and the legacy of the “separate but equal” legal standards of the time.

The talk will be presented by IU Columbus professor Kevin Jones and Michael Cartwright, retired vice president of the University of Indianapolis.

The event is set to begin at 6:15 p.m. Monday night at The Crump Theater with a reception and light refreshments, with the talk starting at 6:30 p.m.

You can find a link for more information on our website.