The John Blassingame Luncheon is named after one of ASALH’s stalwart members. Born on March 23, 1940, in Covington, Georgia, the future historian graduated from Fort Valley State College, received a master’s from Howard University, and a doctorate from Yale University. He began his teaching career at Howard and spent the majority of his career at Yale University. His major works include Black New Orleans, 1860 -1880 and Slave Community. He was the first editor of the Frederick Douglass Papers, assigning his royalties in perpetuity to ASALH. He passed on February 13, 2000.

Featuring Chris Smalls as the speaker