As a student at Tougaloo College, Thomas Madison Armstrong III, joined a small group of colleagues and faculty members who launched early protests for voting rights and equal public accommodations. These were demonstrations led by leaders, such as John Mangram, Edwin King, and the late Medgar Evers, and peopled by students, ordinary men and women of the South, both black and white. He also participated in many sit-ins, marches and voter registration drives.

Mr. Armstrong has co-authored, with Nashville, Tennessee based journalist, Natalie Bell, a memoir about his life-altering, freedom-fighting experience. The book, titled Autobiography of a Freedom Rider, is part memoir and part historical narrative. The book underscores the importance of historical narratives of black Southerners who led and participated in the Civil Rights Movement.

In the introduction to his book, Armstrong writes: "Hardly anyone today, it seems, realizes the terror that existed among black Southerners during most of the last century… It took tremendous courage for us to stand up to the violence of the Ku Klux Klan and the White Citizens' Council; and yet, as responsible citizens, we would not be deterred from striving for justice, truly one of the noblest goals any of us can strive for."
Mr. Armstrong will discuss his experiences as a Freedom Rider and will end by taking questions from the audience.
About BLAC The mission at BLAC is to serve and unify not only the people of the African diaspora but also different cultures the community possess by addressing the needs of awareness for diversity. We seek to identify relevant issues and initiate appropriate action in order to reduce or eliminate any impediments believed to be averse to people and their continued well-being. For more information on Building Love Amongst Cultures, community blogs, and information on memberships, visit www.buildingloveamongstcultures.org.

This program is co-sponsored with the Lombard non-profit organization, BLAC, Building Love Amongst Cultures.

About the Lombard Historical Society: The Lombard Historical Society celebrates Lombard's heritage by collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history of Lombard and operates the Victorian Cottage Museum, the Carriage House and the Society’s Archives at 23 W. Maple Street, and the Sheldon Peck Homestead (a National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Site) at 355 E. Parkside Avenue in Lombard. Both the Carriage House and Peck Homestead host activities and groups and are open for tours. The Victorian Cottage is open for tours on Saturdays only by reservation. For more information about membership and volunteer and donor opportunities, please visit lombardhistory.org or email info@lombardhistory.org or phone 630.629.1885.