Area historian Ken Robison will present on Friday, February 23 at 5 pm in the Cordingley Room little known national achievements of several Great Falls High School students who overcame the repressive racial environment in Great Falls and the nation of past years to mark Black History Month.
While many locals know about the remarkable achievements of librarian Alma Smith Jacobs and contemporary comedian/musician Reggie Watts, earlier Black students of Great Falls High found ways to thrive in school and go on to surprising achievements including: Dr. Wilford Robinson, a medical doctor and served in World War I, Jess Lee Brooks, a nationally prominent singer and movie actor and community activist Wade Parker, who worked to make a difference in Chicago and the state of Illinois.
Robison served in the US Navy for 30 years. He retired from active duty in 1988 and enrolled in the graduate program at George Mason University, earning a Masters in Colonial history and honing his research and writing skills.
In 2022, Robison became the first recipient of the Montana Library Association’s Alma Smith Jacobs Award – given to those who have honored Library efforts in the area of equity, diversity and inclusion.
Author: Staff
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