Sam Crosby Speaks at Historical Marker Dedication Ceremony

Attorney Crosby was honored to speak at the dedication of the Stephen J. Boykin historical marker in Baldwin County on August 27, 2018. The marker is in remembrance of Stephen J. Boykin, a self-educated African American man who was committed to improving the educational opportunities for students and was a driving force in inspiring “men and women of all ages and races to do great things.”

While Mr. Crosby was in Montgomery over 32 years ago, he visited the Alabama State Archives to do research on the history of Baldwin County. It was at this time that he found three copies of The American Banner, which was a newspaper that Mr. Boykin had published from his home in Bay Minette between 1899 and 1902. The newspaper was sold for $1 a year and was circulated throughout Baldwin, Mobile, Escambia, and Clarke counties. The newspaper took courageous and prophetic positions and its motto was, “For Justice, Truth and Liberty”. Mr. Boykin not only published the newspaper but also founded one of the first schools for African American children in Baldwin County.

Mr. Crosby’s discovery ended up in an article in the Baldwin People newspaper, which was picked up by the Associated Press. In addition, Mr. Crosby was featured in a news broadcast discussing the discovery of The American Banner. At this week’s event, Mr. Crosby spoke about Mr. Boykin’s courage, faith, wisdom, and determination, and urged that we remember his legacy.