Chapel Program Highlights Memphis 13

Senior Counselor Candy Harris went back to her roots as a history teacher and gave the Hyde Chapel audience a lesson on the Memphis 13 – the first African American students to integrate Memphis schools, in October 1961.
Harris chose this topic during Black History Month because of her love of teaching African American history and the impact the Memphis 13 had on the community and her own story.

“It was and continues to be deeply fulfilling to honor the legacies of individuals who dared to dream and inspire change, making it possible for someone like me to stand here today as your counselor.”

Her cousin, Mr. Leandrew Wiggins, was one of the Memphis 13. Harris invited him along with his friend, Mr. Alvin Freeman, to speak about their experience integrating city schools. (Both were featured in the documentary The Memphis 13.) In addition, Mr. Darrell Cobbins ’91 spoke about being among the first African Americans to attend MUS.

“The Memphis 13 mission is to look back but to launch forward,” Wiggins said. “I envision the students of MUS will take this assignment into the future because you are the future. Kids who are coming behind you should have strong shoulders to stand on, being able to attend the school of their choice and have educational equity.

“My legacy is you,” he concluded, indicating the diverse student body. “To see this is heartwarming and hopefully a picture of the future.”

Freeman recalled the kindness of his first-grade teacher, who took him under her wing. “She gave me a picture of herself. I still have this picture that she gave me 64 years ago,” he said, taking the photo from his pocket. “She was very special to me.”

Cobbins spoke about his journey to MUS and how his mother worked hard to put him in a position to succeed. He and his brother, Donnell ’90 (who passed away in 2020), were welcomed with open arms, he said.

During a time when Darrell Cobbins was not applying himself in school, Coach Bobby Alston took him aside and said, “If you graduate from MUS, you can do anything you want in this city.” Cobbins changed his attitude, graduated from MUS and Rhodes College, and became a leader in the community.

After showing a slideshow of the first 13 African American students to walk the halls of MUS, Harris said, “As a final note, I’d like to remind you that although today’s topic is considered Black History, know that it is also American History, and the conversation is still very relevant today,” Harris said.

The Memphis 13 documentary will be shown as part of a Lunch and Learn, Wednesday, February 12, in the Wunderlich Auditorium during Lower School/Science and Upper School lunches.
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