The Faith and Fortitude to Fight for Fairness. By Pastor Kyev Tatum, Sr.

The Faith and Fortitude to Fight for Fairness. By Pastor Kyev Tatum, Sr.

FORT WORTH, TEXAS - History is often told through the lens of those in power, leaving many stories of courage, resistance, and sacrifice buried beneath the surface. But history is not merely a collection of dates and events—it is a living narrative shaped by the struggle for justice. Since 2006, we have been committed to uncovering and sharing the untold stories of Black Americans who stood against racism and injustice, often at great personal cost. Their legacies are not just remnants of the past; they serve as blueprints for the ongoing fight for fairness and equality.

Through research, advocacy, exhibitions, and community engagement, we have worked to ensure that these hidden histories are brought to light, not just as acknowledgments of past wrongs but as powerful lessons for the present and future.

Before Little Rock: The Mansfield School Integration Crisis of 1956. https://youtu.be/J8j5HqPWG54?si=kl1cxm_3O4J-GIrB

When people think of school desegregation, the image of Little Rock’s brave students in 1957 often comes to mind. However, a year before that historic moment, the Black community of Mansfield, Texas, stood at the forefront of the fight for educational equity.

In 1956, Mansfield became the first community in the nation to challenge segregated public schools under the Supreme Court’s landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision. Their resistance was met with fierce opposition from Texas Governor Allan Shivers, who deployed the Texas Rangers to prevent integration. White segregationists resorted to threats and violence, hanging Black effigies in the town square and forcing Black students to remain in segregated schools.

Yet, the courage of the Mansfield community laid the groundwork for the broader civil rights movement. Their fight was not in vain—it helped to expose the deep-rooted resistance to desegregation in Texas and beyond. Through our curation of a museum exhibit and documentary, we have ensured that this pivotal moment is no longer hidden in the shadows.

Hung Before Dawn: The Buffalo Soldiers of 1917. https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Tour-recalls-executed-soldiers-at-Fort-Sam-s-13267492.php

Another long-overlooked tragedy is the story of the 19 Buffalo Soldiers who were unjustly hanged following the Houston Riot of 1917. These Black soldiers, members of the 24th Infantry Regiment, were stationed in a deeply segregated city where they endured relentless abuse and discrimination.

On August 23, 1917, tensions reached a boiling point when Houston police officers brutally beat and arrested a Black soldier. In response, members of the regiment armed themselves, leading to an armed confrontation. Without fair trials or the opportunity to appeal, 19 Black soldiers were hanged before dawn, and 63 others received life sentences in what remains the largest mass execution of American soldiers by the U.S. Army.

For decades, their names were lost to history, but through the combined efforts of advocates, their sacrifices were finally recognized. In 2023, they were posthumously granted clemency, and their graves at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas, were marked with new headstones—offering them the dignity they were denied in life. Our advocacy, which began in 2017, played a role in bringing this long-overdue justice to fruition.

Black Women Trailblazers of Fort Worth.

Too often, the contributions of Black women remain unrecognized in historical narratives. Yet, Black women have long been at the forefront of progress, breaking barriers and reshaping the social, political, and cultural landscape.

In March 2025, we took a step toward correcting this oversight by curating Black Women Trailblazers of Fort Worth at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. This historic exhibition celebrates three phenomenal women:

• LPGA Coach Gladys Lee – A pioneer in golf who shattered racial and gender barriers, paving the way for Black women in professional sports.

• Beatrice Pringle – The pioneering publisher of Sepia magazine, who used the power of the press to elevate Black voices and challenge the mainstream media’s exclusion of Black stories.

• Dr. Mary Francine Morrison – Known as The Song Bird of the South, she dedicated her life to gospel music, using her voice to inspire and uplift communities in Texas and beyond.

These women’s legacies are testaments to the power of resilience and perseverance. Their stories remind us that Black women have always been at the forefront of change, leading with strength, intelligence, and unshakable faith.

The Texas 6888th Project: Honoring the Forgotten Women of WWII

One of our most cherished projects is The Texas 6888th Project, which highlights the extraordinary service of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion—the only all-Black, all-female unit deployed overseas during World War II.

These courageous women were sent to Europe to clear a massive backlog of mail that had piled up due to the war. Their mission was critical: ensuring that U.S. troops received letters from home, boosting morale on the front lines. Despite facing racism and sexism both within and outside the military, the women of the 6888th completed their task with remarkable efficiency and excellence.

For decades, their contributions were ignored by mainstream history. But through persistent advocacy, that injustice has finally been corrected. In 2024, the women of the 6888th Battalion were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal—the nation’s highest civilian honor. We are deeply honored that New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church, along with a delegation from Fort Worth, has been invited to attend the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony and festivities in Washington, D.C., in April 2025.

Their story is a powerful reminder that Black women have always played an essential role in shaping America’s history—even when their contributions have been overlooked.

A Call to Remember, A Call to Resist

The stories of Mansfield’s students, the Buffalo Soldiers, Black women trailblazers, and the 6888th Battalion remind us that resistance is not just about defiance—it is about securing a just future for those who come after us. When we resist racism, we do more than confront injustice; we lay the foundation for a better world.

Our work in uncovering and preserving these hidden histories is far from over. Each story we bring to light is a reminder that fairness is never freely given—it must be fought for with faith and fortitude. We remain committed to ensuring that the legacies of those who resisted are never forgotten.

History is not just about the past—it is about the future we build from it. And we will continue to fight for fairness, justice, and dignity for all.

About Kyev Tatum, Sr.

Rev. Kyev P. Tatum, Sr., is a civil rights leader, pastor, historian, and mediator dedicated to uncovering the untold stories of Black resistance in America. He serves as the pastor of New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church and leads the Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas.

With over three decades of experience in policy, public advocacy, and community organizing, he has worked tirelessly to preserve Black history and advance social justice. His projects, including The Texas 6888th Project, Before Little Rock, and Hung Before Dawn, have brought national attention to forgotten chapters of resistance.

His leadership continues to inspire new generations to fight for fairness, dignity, and justice.

Contact Information

Rev. Kyev P. Tatum, Sr.

Pastor and Mediator

New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church

Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas

2864 Mississippi Avenue

Fort Worth, Texas 76104

Phone: 817-966-7625

Email: kptatum1@gmail.com

Website: www.newmountrose.com