Macon Magazine

Morgan Stanley Macon Branch 6055 Lakeside Commons Drive, Ste 450 Macon, GA 31210 478-471-2244 | 800-926-2136 https://advisor.morganstanley.com/macon-branch © 2022 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 5342149 12/22 CS 530388-2911136 01/23 New Location Brand new address. Same dedication. Contact us to discuss your wealth management needs. so thankful, and so blessed they persevered and had the gumption to do what they did. They kept their children from slavery, shined a light on slavery's ills, and later in life, they helped others through their work, the schools they started, and in many other ways." Part of the Cra descendants' ongoing reconnection with their heritage has meant trips to England, where Ellen and William's children were born into freedom. Though some distant cousins they met had not been aware of their enslaved forbearers, Davis said all the reunions have been warm and welcoming. But what's such history to us modern Maconites, those of us who aren't directly related to the Cra s? Reading the books and hearing the speakers does bring the story home. But what do we make of it? The Cra s' great-great-grandchildren were invited to Macon in February through the efforts of retired dentist Thomas Duval. Duval grew up in the Pleasant Hill neighborhood, attended Howard University, and a er a successful practice, served as Georgia's first African American state dental public health director. He also has had connections to the state correctional system. In retirement he has become an avid educator, especially for children, about Macon's African American history. He is co-chair of Macon's Bicentennial History Committee and has created a children's Black history coloring book, including the Cra s' story. Duval said he believes there is so much Macon residents can learn from Ellen and William:"The more we learn about them and understand the past, the more kindness and goodwill we can choose to have for one another across all boundaries. We can reach that 'beloved community' where all are safe and secure and have wonderful relationships with one another. Even in England, the Cra s could have very well said, 'We're set, we've got ours,' and le it at that. But no, they wanted to return home to help others even though it meant facing further difficulties, discrimination, and injustices in the post-Civil War South. They returned and were lied about and taken advantage of. Theirs is a wonderful American story, though their lives didn't have a Hollywood-perfect ending. Really, it's better than a Hollywood ending because their legacy, the good they did, is lasting and real in people's lives, including their descendants." Duval especially hopes African American and historically underserved children are inspired by the Cra 's story in seeing themselves in such real, heroic characters. "In so many ways, this is essentially why I do what I do," Duval said. "The coloring book is one example of engaging youth and teaching history, touching kids' hearts to motivate their minds. To show them their own image doing good things. The Cra s' is the greatest escape ever from slavery, and it's sad our kids and community as a whole doesn't know about it … Even a film like Black Panther, great as it is, pales in comparison to the Cra 's real story, which began right here on our streets. And remember, Ellen and William wanted to read. That helped motivate them." As for Davis, Williams, and DeCosta, they hope their great-great- grandparents' story will continue to do good in the world as it becomes better known. Though they haven't pursued it, they said they wonder if, as history continues to unfold, there are any descendants of the Smiths, Collins, or other connections to learn of and meet with stories to tell. View RUNNING A THOUSAND MILES TO FREEDOM film at Tubman Museum, on regular loop, 20 — 25 minutes. "THE MORE WE LEARN ABOUT THEM AND UNDERSTAND THE PAST, THE MORE KINDNESS AND GOODWILL WE CAN CHOOSE TO HAVE FOR ONE ANOTHER ACROSS ALL BOUNDARIES." — THOMAS DUVAL APRIL/MAY 2023 | maconmagazine.com 49

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