In the 1970s, the Suburban League, a grassroots civil rights group in Montevallo, Alabama, led a fight for racial equity in workplaces and schools. Their successful push to place a Black woman, Sarah Lacey, on the cash register at a local grocery store challenged deep-seated discrimination and helped redefine Montevallo as an Alabama civil rights city. The League’s efforts sparked broader change across Shelby County. Their story shows how local organizing can lead to lasting impact and recognition.

Runaway advertisements, so-called, can tell us a lot about the lives and experiences of persons who made the difficult decision to break for freedom. One newspaper ad tells a story in miniature of two freedomseekers whose journey north took them through Montevallo, Alabama or, as it was then called, "Wilson's Hill."

Clarence E. Harrell, a beloved local baseball legend, is remembered for his incredible pitching skills and brief professional career. Known for his remarkable talent on the field, he also stood out for his intelligence and passion for singing. Clarence's story captures the spirit of sandlot baseball in central Alabama and the profound impact he had on his community.

William Eugene Shortridge, one of the fearless Civil Rights leaders from Alabama and director of the Shortridge Funeral Home in Ensley, played a crucial role in the Black Freedom Movement in Birmingham. His efforts in organizing protests, including the Children's Crusade, and raising funds helped pave the way for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and bring an end to segregation in the South.

The historic Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church on Selma Road, soon to be honored with a plaque from the Black Heritage Council, has been a cornerstone of our community since the 1890s. Known for its resilience and vibrant history, Shiloh played a key role in the Civil Rights era, hosting significant events and figures like Rev. A.D. King. Today, it stands as a testament to our rich heritage, featuring a stunning baptism mural by Deacon Ronnie McCary.

If it's facts you want, they're in the obituary. James Tolbert passed away, age 75, in January 2014. He was a member of The Harvest Place Christian Church, Columbiana, a member of the Deacon's Ministry, a US Army Veteran, a lab technician at Blue Circle Cement Company, Calera. 

Today he is widely remembered and still beloved as Brother J. T., for forty-two years the voice of the central Alabama Black community at WBYE 1370 AM broadcasting from its Calera studio on Highway 25. 

Finger impression on brick produced by slave labor for construction of Fort Pulaski in Georgia. From “Words Have Power,” National Park Service.

Ward Chapel AME Church is Montevallo's oldest Black church and one of fifteen oldest AME churches in Alabama. It exemplifies African American cultural heritage and is one of countless Black churches in Alabama that built and strengthened post-Emancipation communities.