We are highlighting the two namesakes of the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center, with whom we have partnered to provide a scholarship. We already covered the life of Marion Oldham, and now we would like to talk about Lloyd Gaines (pictured above, second from left). His story is a bit more complicated and ends with a mystery. We couldn’t do a better job of portraying Lloyd’s life and contributions than this 2012 documentary produced by students at the University of Missouri School of Law, so please enjoy:
Lloyd Gaines is a profoundly tragic figure in American history. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance have been debated for decades. There are plenty of plausible scenarios, both sinister and mundane. But there is one thing about his story that is important to acknowledge: he was not allowed to follow the path he wanted in life, and his ultimate fate was dictated by others around him. But his struggle opened doors for those who came after him, and, whether it was his desire or not, Gaines was a trailblazer and a freedom fighter.
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