Author and poet Maya Angelou said, “Our young must be taught that racial peculiarities do exist, but that beneath the skin, beyond the differing features, and into the true heart of being, fundamentally, we are more alike, my friend, than we are unalike."
You can discover vast amounts of literature and historical information by and about influential African-Americans.
It's all right here at the Crestview Public Library.
Not only are there print resources available, but you also can search our electronic database for historical records such as Heritage Quest’s Freedman’s Bank Records. Here, you can get a small, yet fascinating feel of former slaves' economic lives.
Freedman’s Bank, which was founded to serve African-Americans, lasted from the end of the Civil War to 1874. Its branches and its customers' age, physical description, former master and plantation location are some descriptors included in these historical archives.
Search for HeritageQuest on our website, www.cityofcrestview.org/library.php, and type in the barcode on the back of your library card when prompted.
Marie Garcia is the Crestview Public Library's assistant director.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: African-American history resources available