Learotha Williams (born c. 1967) is an American historian. He is a professor of African-American and Public History at Tennessee State University.

Learotha Williams
Bornc. 1967
Alma materFlorida State University
OccupationHistorian
EmployerTennessee State University

Early life

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Williams was born c. 1967 in Tallahassee, Florida.[1][2] He graduated from Florida State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree followed by a master's degree and a PhD, completed in 2003.[3]

Career

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Williams taught African-American history at Armstrong State University from 2004 to 2009.[1] He is now a professor of African American and Public History at Tennessee State University.[1]

Williams researches the history of African-American slaves in Nashville, Tennessee prior to the American Civil War of 1861–1865, including the slave auctions that were held on Charlotte Avenue.[2][4] He spearheaded the installation of a historical marker on the corner of Fourth Avenue and Charlotte Avenue,[4] which was dedicated on December 7, 2018.[5][6]

Williams also researches the history of North Nashville, a predominantly black neighborhood, as part of the North Nashville Heritage Project.[2] He has interviewed residents and business owners on its main thoroughfare, Jefferson Street.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "June 4th Monthly Meeting: Guest Speaker – Dr. Learotha Williams Jr". African American Genealogy & History in Nashville, Tennessee. 25 May 2016. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c Hale, Steven (March 8, 2018). "People Issue: Historian and Professor Learotha Williams". Nashville Scene. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  3. ^ "Learotha Williams Jr., PhD". History, Political Science, Geography & Africana Studies. Tennessee State University. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Hale, Steven (April 4, 2018). "Nashville Is Starting to Face Its History of Slavery". Nashville Scene. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  5. ^ Johnson, Lucas (6 December 2018). "TSU History Professor, Students Get Historical Marker Erected to Remember Victims of Nashville's Slave Market". Tennessee State University News Room. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  6. ^ Gonzalez, Tony (December 9, 2018). "On A Downtown Corner, A New Marker Acknowledges Nashville's Slave-Trading Past". Nashville Public Radio. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  7. ^ Marshall, Brandon (July 27, 2018). "Professor Conducting Interviews From Residents About Area's Heritage". News Channel 5. Retrieved December 7, 2018.