|    Historical Memoir

This page memorializes the efforts to continue the push to etch our legends into the memories and history of our community. 

The Wilkie Clark Memorial Foundation

A New Movement for Improvement

The Wilkie Clark Memorial Foundation, Incorporated, is a 501(4)c Non-Profit Corporation established in 2004, by the daughter and grandchildren of the late Wilkie & Hattie Lee Peters Clark.  The organization was set up and registered with the Alabama Secretary Of State, to demonstrate their dedication to preserving the lives and legacies of their parents which were wholly dedicated to improving black economics throughout East Alabama and West Georgia. How and why did this Foundation come into being?

Here’s the story…

In 2004, Ms. Charlotte Clark-Frieson of Roanoke, Alabama was inspired with the desire to tell her father’s story to the world because he was a great black civil rights leader who was unselfish and caring.

Around October, 2003, she started to write about his life. Her writing eventually turned into a biography, which was released on February 19th 2005. It is entitled “Chief Cook & Bottle-Washer,” The Unconquerable Soul Of Wilkie Clark.

The more she wrote, the deeper her desire to not only establish him as a historical figure in Randolph County, but to build something lasting that would serve as “an earthly monument” or living documentation of the many other black giants who walked along this way; those who established themselves in a grand and glorious way by the things they said, the deeds they did, and the lives they lived.

Many of them were businessmen; they were educators and academicians; they were builders (builders of schools, builders of churches, business builders); they were ministers of the gospel; and some of them were mere farmers, gifted land-owners who knew how to take a little and make a lot; but they were nevertheless giants because they are the reason that WE are here.  Thus out of the awareness of the grand accomplishments of those old sojourners, grew her desire to establish the Wilkie Clark Memorial Foundation.  There is an interesting and entertaining story behind the Wilkie Clark Memorial Foundation, that you can access by reading Charlotte’s book about her fathers life. It can be purchased directly from her, and in the future, can be found at many of the independent book stores.

Suffice it to say that in the 1980’s black people all over Randolph County, Alabama pooled their meager resources, and purchased the land formerly known as the old Roanoke Beauty Lodge Hall; which was later the “Blue Bird Café,” located at the corner of Longshore and Riley Street. At that time this property was purchased and dedicated as the “Wilkie Clark Community Center.”

However, with the passage of time, those who contributed to this cause passed off the scene of time. Having come into possession of the title and deed(s) to this property, then, it became Charlotte’s goal to set up an entity which could proudly serve as the fiduciary of this property, and ensure that it’s intended purpose would be fulfilled.   With the help and support of her many family members and friends, The Wilkie Clark Memorial Foundation was organized.

All were in agreement that this organization bear the name of the late Wilkie Clark, as a memorial to the great civil rights work he did in this area; but moreover, we also felt that it would embrace the commendable efforts and accomplishments of every black achiever throughout Randolph county and the areas that surround it.

With that purpose in mind, we set about to establish this foundation; and at this point, we are beginning to see some of the fruit of our labor, the publication of this newspaper, The People’s Voice, being only one of many. Individuals were sought serve as board members and trustees of this entity, first because of their knowledge of and belief in the late Wilkie Clark, and understanding of his basic nature, make-up, and the concerns he expressed throughout his life.

Thus, our desire was to make and establish these issues as our forte.

The first meeting was held at the home of Deacon John Ceroy Bell on Wednesday, February 16, 2005, and we have been meeting and growing ever since.

The board unanimously elected Ms. Charlotte Clark-Frieson to fill the position of Board Chairman, insisting that she was the best individual to lead the Foundation toward the fulfillment of the vision that God had dropped into her spirit. Regardless of who leads, we all believe in the vision, and we want you to “Catch The Vision.”

Thus, we consider it a pleasure and a blessing to have you take an interest in what we are trying to do. I personally encourage you to support us and get involved in this foundation. Support the “People’s Voice.” Let’s all take ownership in it and make it our voice.

Those of us who have “caught the vision” have a very keen awareness that unless our generation stops and takes the time to pay attention, we are going to lose on-coming generations of black youngsters to a system that cares precious little about them.

I want to publicly thank all of my friends, colleagues, associates and fellow board members for embracing this vision, and working so diligently to bring our vision into being.  As we continue to work, I encourage others who understand what we are trying to accomplish to join us; there’s plenty good room.

Our prayer is that God will be ever present as our pilot, as we deliberate, and strive to make this foundation a beacon in our community and be all that God would have it to be.

The Founding Of the People's Voice 

(East Alabama's & West Georgia's First and Only Black Newspaper Publication)

It was exactly 16 years ago, that the Wilkie Clark Memorial Foundation published it's Inaugural (First) issue of The People's Voice Weekly News. This was Randolph County's & East Alabama First Black Weekly Newspaper Publication . The actual publication date was July 22, 2005. The Inaugural Edition was several weeks late, because we encountered problems with one individual who made promises to oversee layout of the publication... who did not live up to their promise. But we did NOT let that deter us. Yet, I was FORCED to take on the task of laying the publication out weekly, until I could train a person to do that. It was a grueling process -- BUT WE DID IT!

PEOPLE INVOLVED IN SETTING UP THIS PUBLICATION, and getting it off the ground:

Yours Truly (C.A. Clark-Frieson)

Jeanetta Stevens Springer (Roanoke)

Reverend William A. Dean (Roanoke)

Gene Autry Thornton (Roanoke)

John Ceroy Bell (Roanoke)

Reverend Jeffery Rosser (Roanoke)

Tony Malone (Lanett)

Lola Mae Wright (Wedowee)

Frances Drake (Roanoke)

Mary Turner (Five Points)

Betty Woodie (Five Points)

Chris Daniels (Roanoke)

Sarah & Bo Almond (Franklin)

Brenda Poole (Franklin)

Our Editor was Mr. Tony D. Malone, City Councilman, of Lanett, Alabama.

Later, Mrs. Carolyn J. (Knight) Davis served as our page designer and 1st Assistant. She was A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

The Committee who named the publication "The People's Voice" consisted of Jeanetta Stevens Springer, Chris Daniels, Reverend William A. Dean, and One other person I can't remember!!

IT WAS SUCH A SUCCESSFUL EFFORT, supported financially by many African American's throughout communities all over the state. We also had many contributing writers and authors from all over the United States.

It was about this same time, that Dr. Alvin Thornton, Lonnie Thornton, Gene Thornton and Earnestine Thorton were concluding their work on the DVD Documentary of the historic Randolph County Training School's 51-year Legacy "Behind These Silent Walls".

WE carried this story in our Inaugural Edition of The People's Voice.

Our ONLY REGRET is that it was issued about 2 weeks later than originally scheduled. But, the mere fact that it exists in published format, makes it none-the-less, HISTORIC!!!