Colonel Bob Smith of Martin, Tennessee Bob Smith was born in Martin on March 18, 1925, left home to serve in the U.S. Navy Construction Battalions “Seabees” in 1943, and returned home.  In the 1990s he received the honorary title, Tennessee Colonel, for his community and church work. Beginning in 1886 the African-Americans in Martin celebrated on the 8th of August to commemorate the date history said slaves learned of their freedom at the end of the Civil War.  Eventually the celebration was moved to the 3rd Sunday in August and the name changed to Homecoming.   The celebration begins with…

Chinese Kites by Ellis Wilson ELLIS WILSON, an African-American, was born April 30, 1899 in Mayfield, Kentucky to Frank and Minnie Wilson.  His father was a barber but also an amateur painter who encouraged Ellis’ painting.  Ellis Wilson died January 1, 1977 in New York, New York. After high school in Mayfield, Ellis attended the all Black Kentucky Normal and Industrial Institute in Frankfort, Kentucky (which is now Kentucky State University) and the Chicago School of the Art Institute.  He lived in Chicago for five (5) years working as a commercial artist and moved to New York City in 1928. …