The Robert W. Woodruff Library (RWWL) of the Atlanta University Center will host a September 23 symposium commemorating the centennial anniversary of the tragic Atlanta race riot of 1906.

During the summer of 1906, white fears of African Americans’ increasing economic and social power, sensationalized rhetoric from white politicians and unsubstantiated news stories about a black crime wave created a powder keg of racial tension that exploded the night of September 22, 1906, in what became known as the Atlanta Race Riot. By the time the riot ended on September 25, at least 25 blacks and two whites lay dead

On Saturday, September 23, 2006, the Woodruff Library will host a day-long symposium focusing on the elements that led to the tragedy during a weekend of centennial remembrance events sponsored by the Coalition to Remember the 1906 Atlanta Race Riot, with funding in part by a grant from the Georgia Humanities Council. Taking place September 21-24, the events will facilitate open and ongoing dialogue about the riot among the city’s diverse communities and inspire positive systemic change in Atlanta’s race relations.

The Centennial Remembrance symposium will be held in the Library’s Exhibition Hall from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Planned sessions and participants include:

9-11 a.m. – “Race and the Media” Roundtable Panelists: Cynthia Tucker, Atlanta Journal-Constitution; Burt Weiss, “The Bert Show,” Q100; Shelly Winter, WAOK; Cheryl Gooch, Clark Atlanta University; Isabel Wilkerson, New York Times; Rebecca Burns, moderator

12:30-2 p.m. – “Looking Back to Move Forward: Southern Communities Respond to Racial Atrocity” Panel Discussion Melton McLaurin, Wilmington 1898 Foundation; Sherry DuPree, Historic Rosewood Foundation; Kimberly Ellis, Tulsa Reparations Coalition; Bobby Howard, Moore’s Ford Memorial Committee; Andy Sheldon, moderator

2:30-4 p.m. – Breakout Sessions
Each panelist will lead small group discussions with attendees to reflect on and further delve into issues raised during the panel presentation

4:30-5:30 p.m. – “Lessons for Atlanta: Where Do We Go From Here?” Town Meeting
Open discussion of symposium themes and how they can be used to improve race relations in society now and in the future.

The day will end at the Grady High School Theater (929 Charles Allen Drive, Atlanta) with an 8 p.m. live radio performance of “Investigator for Democracy,” which chronicles the life of Walter White.

Contact Andrea Jackson, Curator of Manuscripts and Printed Materials in Woodruff’s Archives & Special Collections Department, at 404-978-2115 or ajackson@auctr.edu for information on the Centennial Remembrance symposium at Woodruff Library. For a complete list of Centennial Remembrance Weekend activities, visit the 1906 Race Riot Web site at: http://www.1906atlantaraceriot.org

About the Library
Constructed in 1982, the Robert W. Woodruff Library is an
independent entity organized and operated for the exclusive benefit
of its member institutions—Clark Atlanta University, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse College and Spelman College. These colleges and universities represent the
world’s largest consortium of historically black institutions of higher learning. The Library serves a combined student body of more than 10,000.