By Jackie Hampton
Publisher
Otha Sullivan, retired educator, and author of six books was the guest speaker of the West Jackson Rotary Club’s monthly meeting on Tuesday October 27 at the Jackson State University Student Center. Sullivan introduced to club members and invited guests his latest book, “African American Achievement Stamped Through History”.
This book, co-authored by Chuckie Patrick, focuses on significant contributions that African-Americans featured on U.S. stamps, have made toward the development of the United States of America. “Our history is so rich but one thing that has been systematic is the removal of African American History from our history books” said Sullivan. In addition to the depiction of individuals, some stamps included are “themed stamps,” meaning events connected to African Americans are included as well.
Sullivan, a Mississippi native, now living in Byram taught school in the Detroit Public School System, where he also served as an administrator and guidance counselor. He also taught at Howard University and Alcorn State University. Co-author Patrick was one of Sullivan’s students at Alcorn, who like Sullivan was a stamp collector for many years.
Sullivan said one of the purposes of this book is to inform our children about our history. He wants young people to analyze their history so that no matter what condition they are brought up in, they can still achieve. While in Detroit teaching science in Middle school as an enrichment activity he asked his students to name three African American inventors. He said only the white students raised their hands with responses and this bothered him because he knew there was a lot of work to be done regarding teaching our children about their history. In fact, one student was asked about Sojourner Truth and his response was, “Wasn’t she a rapper?” Sullivan said, ‘yes she did rap but she fought for the freedom of our people.”
Education Consultant, Betty Nyangoni, Ph.D., of Washington, D.C. stated that Sullivan and Patrick are highly qualified and respected authors, both having doctoral degrees. She stated that these authors linked information about the subject of each stamp into related snippets of United States History that is easy to read and well organized.
Sullivan, who also collects African American coins, asked every attendee to place their name in a drawing to receive a commemorative coin of the Little Rock Nine. The name drawn was Shirley Young, and Young was very excited to receive the commemorative coin. The session ended with members and guests purchasing the 536 page book and having it autographed by Sullivan. The book, which sales retails for $29.95 will be available on amazon.com, local book stores and direct sales from the author.
