The editors express sincere appreciation to the many persons who wrote profiles for the Annual Local Conference on Afro-American Culture and History and this publication. The profiles were edited by Bobby L. Lovett at Tennessee State University and printed with assistance from the Metropolitan Historical Commission's director of special programs, Ophelia Paine, who also secured photographs.
        John A. Baker, Jr., is a resident of Springfield and a former presenter at the Nashville Annual Local Conference on Afro-American Culture and History.
        Kay Beasley is a writer and newspaper columnist in Nashville.
        Robert J. Booker is director of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, a native of Knoxville, and author of several books on Knoxville African-American culture.
        Emma W. Bragg is a retired college professor, granddaughter of Carrie J. R. White, and great niece of Susanna McGavock Carter.
        Ronald E. Brewer is a resident of Chattanooga and a regional manager for the Tennessee Valley Authority.
        The late Roberta Church (1914-1995) was a Memphis political and civil rights leader, writer, and the last third-generation descendant of the Robert R. Church family of Memphis.
        Herbert Clark received his doctorate of arts from Middle Tennessee State University and served as a history teacher in Metropolitan Nashville schools.
        Virginia Edmondson is a former administrator of the Tennessee Vocational School for Colored Girls.
        Mary Evans Hawkins Barnes is the only surviving family member of the late William Daniel Hawkins, Sr.
        Haywood Farrar is a former assistant professor of history at Fisk University.
        Carmelia D. Gregory is a counselor at Whites Creek High School in Nashville.
        Helen R. Houston is professor of English at Tennessee State University and a noted local literary commentator.
        Beth Howse is the librarian for special collections at Fisk University.
        Bobby L. Lovett received the Ph.D. in history at the University of Arkansas and serves as a founder and chairman (1981-) of the Nashville Annual Local Conference on Afro-American Culture and History. He is professor of history and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Tennessee State University.
        Perre MacFarland Magness is a journalist and resident of Memphis.
        Joe E. McClure is a former manager of Greenwood Cemetery.
        Lois C. McDougald is a retired associate professor emerita of Tennessee State University and a founder and member (1981-) of the Nashville Annual Local Conference on Afro-American Culture and History.
        Willie A. McGowan is president of the Bradley Academy Historical Association in Murfreesboro
        David Mills is a Nashville resident and history graduate of Tennessee State University.
        Reavis Mitchell, Jr., is an associate professor of history and Dean of Academic Affairs at Fisk University and a member of the planning committee (1983- ) for the Nashville Annual Local Conference on Afro-American Culture and History.
        Ophelia Paine is a member of the planning committee for the Nashville Annual Local Conference on Afro-American Culture and History and director of special programs for the Metropolitan Nashville Historical Commission.
        F. Dovie Shuford is a resident of Nashville.
        Malcolm J. Walker is a resident of Chattanooga.
        Ronald Walter is a television executive, local historian, author, and resident of Memphis.
        H. Henryne D. White is a Nashvillian and surviving relative of Ernest R. Alexander.
        Jamye Coleman Williams is a retired professor of communication of Tennessee State University and an editor of The AME Review.
        Linda T. Wynn received a bachelor's and two master's degrees from Tennessee State University and in 1974 was the first African American to join the staff of the state of Tennessee Historical Commission, where she serves as assistant director for state programs. She is an associate adjunct professor of history at Fisk University and is a founder and committee member (1981- ) of the Local Conference on Afro-American Culture and History.

Editors: Typist: Typesetting & Design: Bibliography: Financing: Legislative Leaders:	Bobby L. Lovett Linda T. Wynn Gayle Brinkley-Johnson Ilene Jones-Cornwell of Serviceberry Press, Inc. Linda T. Wynn Bobby L. Lovett Vallie Pursley Yildiz B. Binkley Tennessee General Assembly Tennessee Caucus of Black State Legislators Tennessee State University's College of Arts and Sciences Representative Rufus Jones (Memphis) Representative Lois DeBerry (Memphis) Senator John Ford (Memphis)