Ella Sheppard

π—˜π—Ÿπ—Ÿπ—” π—¦π—›π—˜π—£π—£π—”π—₯𝗗 (1851-1915) Ella Shepard, soprano, pianist and reformer, was the matriarch of the Fisk Jubilee Singers and also a confidante of Frederick Douglass. She was born a slave in 1851 on Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage plantation and was a biracial relation of Jackson’s family. When her father moved to Ohio, a German woman taught her… Continue reading Ella Sheppard

Eartha and Clara White

Eartha Mary Magdalene White (1876-1974) was born near Jacksonville, Florida, the thirteenth child of former slaves. She was soon adopted by Clara and Lafayette White, who were themselves also former slaves. Lafayette, a laborer and wagon driver, died when Eartha was still young. Clara, who worked in a variety of domestic services, provided Eartha with… Continue reading Eartha and Clara White