Anthony "Amp" Elmore ask UNESCO: United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization to challenge Memphis Black on Black Racism regarding the White Supremacy & Planned Erasure of the History of the Black Memphis Community of Orange Mound
MEMPHIS, TN, July 29, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ — Memphis, Tennessee, home to the largest majority-Black population in the United States according to the 2023 U.S. Census, faces a rarely discussed but deeply rooted crisis: Black-on-Black racism, fueled by white supremacy and cultural erasure of the Memphis African American Community of Orange Mound.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis on April 4, 1968, yet today Memphis hosts a "Cotton Museum" and no dedicated Black Memphis History Museum. Even more troubling, there is no written chronicle of Black Memphis history, leaving generations without a clear record of their achievements and struggles.
Anthony "Amp" Elmore Memphis 1st Independent 35mm Theatrical Filmmaker who is a community activist is the 1st in Memphis history to chronicle "Black Memphis History."
Click here to visit the website; blackmemphishistory.com. Anthony "Amp" Elmore teaches Black Memphis History via Cinema.
Anthony "Amp" Elmore quoting the father of African American history, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, from his seminal 1933 work The Mis-Education of the Negro: "When you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions… if there is no back door, he will cut one for his special benefit."
This is the psychological condition that Anthony "Amp" Elmore is challenging head-on. Elmore is calling out the planned strategy to marginalize Black Memphis history of Orange Mound. Both white institutions and Black leadership have perpetuated narratives of Black subordination and accommodation.
In Elmore's words he quotes Dr. Carter G. Woodson. "Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history."
At the heart of this campaign lies Orange Mound, founded in 1879 by two Black Churches MT. Moriah Baptist Church located at 2634 Carnes Avenue at Boston Street in Memphis and MT Pisgah CME in Orange Mound located at 2490 Park Avenue at Marechalneil Street.
Orange Mound is recognized as the first community in America built for Blacks by Blacks. For decades, however, the city of Memphis along with African/American leaders have promoted a distorted account that credits White developer E.E. Meacham in 1890 and ties the community's origins and the account and racist appropriation by White Supremacist "Sons of Confederate Veterans historian Barron Deaderick." Deaderick born in 1886 whose grandfather owned "The John Deaderick Plantation" wrote an article in 1949 "How Orange Mound Got its name"
Anthony "Amp" Elmore contends that Barron Deaderick's 1949 article was a White Supremacist's racist intentional psychological warfare, designed to steal Orange Mound Black Memphis History, demoralize the community and sever its legacy of Black autonomy and whereas the article inherently connects Orange Mound to the John George Deaderick Plantation. Slavery ended in 1865 and there was no more "John George Deaderick Planation."
Anthony "Amp" Elmore challenges a July 21, 2025 Action News 5 report naming Ms. Mary E. Mitchell as the "Official Orange Mound Historian." In truth, Ms. Mary E. Mitchell was named Honorary Historian by former Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell October 17, 2017—a symbolic title without academic foundation.
While Ms. Mary E. Mitchell grew up in Orange Mound, she has produced absolutely not one single published historical work or even one sentence of documented Orange Mound History. What you will find from Ms. Mary E. Mitchell are only media soundbites.
Anthony "Amp" Elmore argues Ms. Mary E. Mitchell's role is white supremacy in disguise when a White former Shelby County Mayor Mark Lutterll appointed Ms. Mary E. Mitchell an honorary historian lacking documentation scholarship or any shared works. Anthony "Amp" argues because Ms. Mary Mitchell was born in 1936 doesn't make her a historian," Elmore says. "Where's the evidence—where's one published paragraph?"
Anthony "Amp Elmore contends the community Orange Mound deserves a "Black Memphis History Museum." Elmore notes Orange Mound needs historians who research, publish, and uphold the legacy of self-definition, not ceremonial title as in the case of Ms. Mary E. Mitchell whose role is meant to pacify or erase Orange Mound's true History connected to two Black Orange Mound Churches in 1879.
Anthony "Amp" Elmore notes that he has produced several documentaries with Ms. Mary E. Mitchell whom he once called "Mama Mary Mitchell" who heads "The Orange Mound Arts Council." It is noted and documented that Anthony "Amp" Elmore 1988 film "The Contemporary Gladiator" is not only the 1st Independent 35mm Film produced in Memphis film history; Click here to see our story that "The Contemporary Gladiator" is the 1st kickboxing Film produced in World Film history.
Anthony "Amp Elmore noted that Ms. Mary E. Mitchell who heads the "Orange Mound Arts Council" is part of a practice and culture that upholds "White Supremacy and Black on Black Racism regarding Orange Mound. Ms. Mary E. Mitchell and the Orange Mound Arts Council that is operated by the White Don Gilbert refuses to recognize "World Black History" of the film "The Contemporary Gladiator" (The Orange Mound produced Film and First Kickboxing in World film history) or the fact that Anthony "Amp" Elmore out of Orange Mound began teaching the 3000 year old art of Karate in Orange Mound in 1972. Elmore produced national telecast of Kickboxing on Black Entertainment Television. The White Man Don Gilbert runs the Orange Mound Arts Council.
Anthony "Amp" Elmore has produced over 1000 video documentaries and is known internationally for his work in film, Kickboxing and Black History, whereas Anthony "Amp" Elmore from Orange Mound is the first in Memphis history to chronicle "Black Memphis History." Elmore proposed that the Orange Mound Arts Council be a conduit for film, history and education. Unknow and untold is the White man Don Gilbert who runs "The Orange Mound Arts Council." Most important Ms. Mary E. Mitchell is an elderly African American woman who is 90 years old, in poor heath is being used by both Don Gilbert, Black Memphis Mayor Paul Young and Black Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris for political expediency.
Ms. Mary E. Mitchell's role via the "Orange Mound Arts Council" is that only as a figure head associated to only to support various Government 501 3 C programs to get government funding and whereas Orange Mound Arts Council is a covert operation headed by Don Gilbert a White religious leader who is alleged and specialize in Government 501 3 C funding.
Click here to learn about Don Gilbert "The White Man behind the Curtain Pimping Black Orange Mound." Click here to learn about Don Gilbert.
Anthony "Amp" Elmore request the following via this story we ask for a public records request We want to obtain lease documents, grant applications, and communications related to the transfer. We request a public hearing or audit to challenge the process and advocate for shared governance or access. We propose a community oversight board. We want to ensure transparency and equitable programming that reflects diverse voices.
In regards to PBS; Anthony "Amp" Elmore will contact WKNO and PBS directly request equal airtime or a follow-up segment. Anthony "Amp" Elmore will submit a formal media rebuttal: A short documentary, op-ed, or televised panel featuring our research and community voices.
For those who want to know more Click here: On July 8, 2025 filmmaker Anthony "Amp" Elmore produced a 30 minute video titled: Orange Mound Sign White Supremacy Racism Jet Eye Mind Trick. This video challenges Dr. Charles Williams, Jay Killingsworth and Ms. Mary E. Mitchell.
Anthony "Amp" Elmore will formally appealed to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) to assist in stopping the continued planned erasure of the Memphis African/American Memphis Community of Orange Mound. Anthony "Amp" Elmore is challenging the cultural erasure of Orange Mound and Elmore is confronting the institutionalized racism perpetuated through this historical distortion noting that the White Real Estate broker E.E. Meacham Founded Orange Mound. Anthony "Amp" Elmore's s plea is not just for Memphis—it is for global Black dignity and cultural justice.
Anthony "Amp" Elmore notes; "Orange Mound's rightful history is not only local, it is global. It represents the first brick in building Black freedom after slavery, and it must be reclaimed as a symbol of self-determination" and no longer a "White Supremacy Creation." It is falsely taught that the White Real Estate Salesman E.E. Meacham founded Orange Mound in 1890.
Elmore draws a parallel to Alex Haley's Roots miniseries, which aired on January 23, 1977, dramatizing generations of Black struggle from slavery to emancipation. Just as "Chicken George"—Haley's ancestor—migrated to Henning, Tennessee in the 1880s, so too did Orange Mound begin as a post-Reconstruction sanctuary, built by African Americans for their own uplift. The story of Orange Mound's uplift is not via the White Supremacist naming E.E. Meacham the founder of Orange Mound is a fraud.
Anthony "Amp" Elmore notes; "The issue with Memphis, Tennessee is no longer White on Black Racism, the issue with Memphis today in 2025 are the issues of "Black on Black Racism." Anthony "Amp" Elmore in remembers in 1981 dealing with a begrudgingly White Memphis Mayor Wyeth Chandler. Elmore knows the feeling of being hated and resented by a White Memphis City Mayor and a community just for being Black.
In 1981 Anthony "Amp" Elmore was the 1st person to bring E.S.P.N. to Memphis whereas Elmore's goal was to uplift the City of Memphis. Elmore's efforts was met with hate and resentment and an effort to demoralize Elmore via not offering support. On May 29, 1982 Anthony "Amp" Elmore fought for the (PKA) world heavyweight Kickboxing title at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis whereas it was revealed to Elmore that owners of the local Coke Distributors gave strict instructions not to buy an add, tickets or support Elmore's World title bout in any way.
In 1983 Anthony "Amp" Elmore met with the then new Memphis Mayor Richard C. Hackett. Mayor Hackett arranged for the City of Memphis to paint on the fight canvass during an E.S.P.N. telecast Memphis Telecast "Memphis Americas Distribution Center" no Memphis Company would support an African/American World Champion.
Elmore had the opportunity to bring NBC Sports World to Memphis whereas he could not get support. Memphis Mayor Richard C. Hackett disappointed that no Memphis Company would support Elmore he wrote a letter congratulating Elmore that the Memphis Magazine in 1983 named Elmore 100 most influential Memphians.
Elmore's story is told in his 1988 Film Release "The Contemporary Gladiator." The strategy in Memphis was to not support a potential Black World Kickboxing Champion. Memphis Mayor Wyeth Chandler did not lift a finger to support a Black fighting for the world Championship.
A group of White Supporters in Memphis would rally around earlier Anthony "Amp" Elmore opponent a former White Memphis State football player named John Lee .The Memphis power structure had arranged for John Lee to be on the then popular NBC Johnnie Carson Show had he beat Elmore. Memphis in 1983 would only support a White Kickboxing champion.
In 2025 today in Memphis Black Mayors discriminate against Anthony "Amp" Elmore who is the father of Independent 35mm Theatrical Filmmaking in Memphis. Anthony "Amp" Elmore wrote produced, directed and starred in not only Memphis 1st independent 35mm Theatrical film released in 1988 titled "The Contemporary Gladiator." While Anthony "Amp" Elmore's film is the 1st Kickboxing film in World Film history, Memphis Black leaders used their Authority and function to name the 1989 White Film "Mystery Train" produced by Jim Jarmusch.
The Memphis Shelby County Film Commission and the Shelby Historical Commission unjustly installed a historical marker at the corner of G.E. Patterson and Main street honoring the White filmmaker. This marker sits directly across the street where Dr. Martin Luther King was killed in Memphis. Dr. King died fighting injustice in Memphis whereas Memphis shows disrespect for Dr. King placing a unjust historical marker where Dr. King was slang.
Anthony "Amp" Elmore states; he would not know where he would be today if it was not for the White Memphis Coors beer distributor Bob Heavers. Bob went out on a limb and asked the Adolph Coors Brewery to Support Elmore's 1982 world title bout.
Elmore was about to sell his home via a quick claim deed to get money to promote the fight whereas while Elmore could not get support from not a single company in Memphis. The Adolph Coors Company rushed in and not only supported Anthony "Amp" Elmore's May 29, 1982 world title bout, Coors beer signed Elmore to a historic landmark Agreement.
Anthony "Amp" Elmore upon winning the PKA World heavyweight title in Memphis in 1982 Elmore became not only the 1st African/American to be signed to a personal service contract with Coors Beer, Anthony "Amp" Elmore became the 1st Kickboxer in American history Black or White to be signed with a major American Corporation. Coors Beer featured Anthony "Amp" Elmore in prints adds in almost every major African/America publication in America. Anthony "Amp" Elmore became part of the 1st Coors Beer Black Celebrity team.
The most significant story about Memphis, Tennessee is not the April 4, 1968 Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The most significant history of Memphis, Tennessee is the "Memphis Massacre of 1866" whereas Whites went on a 3 day Black killing spree, murdering Blacks, raping women. The White lead lead Killing spree was led by law enforcement They burned down every Black School and Church in Memphis.
This event was so horrific that Congress passed the 14th amendment to the Constitution that states: The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, is a cornerstone of American constitutional law, primarily focused on citizenship, equal protection, and due process. It granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including formerly enslaved people, and prohibited states from infringing upon the fundamental rights of citizens.
While the 14th amendment is the cornerstone of the U.S. Constitution there exists a culture, practice and history in Memphis whereas Black Memphis History is untold and unrecognized in Memphis, Tennessee.
"The Tennessee Historical Commission" and the White Supremacist culture and the practice of Memphis "Black on Black Racism" makes sure Black Memphis history goes unknown and untold whereas it would be rare for any Black Memphian or anyone in American history to know that the 14th Amendment was influence by the Memphis Massacre of 1866.
The Tennessee Historical Commission refused to acknowledge the Memphis Massacre of 1866 whereas they wanted the event called; "The Memphis Riots of 1866" whereas the Tennessee Historical Commission refused to install a historical marker. In 2016 the Memphis NAACP and the National Park Service installed a Historical Marker at the intersection of G.E. Patterson Avenue and South Second Street in Memphis. The marker sits just a "Rocks Throw" from where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed in Memphis April 4, 1968 about 100 years later.
Fast forward to "Orange Mound 2025 whereas this takes us to the title of this news Release: "Amp" Elmore A World Kickboxing Champ, Historian asks UNESCO to Assist against the Planned Erasure of History & Culture of Orange Mound, Fights Memphis White Supremacy, Racism & Black on Black Racism. The Subtitle reads: Anthony "Amp" Elmore ask UNESCO: United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization to challenge Memphis Black on Black Racism regarding the White Supremacy & Planned Erasure of the History of the Black Memphis Community of Orange Mound.
Anthony "Amp" Elmore has to look outside of Memphis for help hoping the national media or any Blacks or Whites would assist. The culture in Memphis is Black on Black Racism is used to obstruct and marginalize Black Memphis history. The City of Memphis recently spent 250 millions so Whites outside of Memphis from Southaven and Bartlett can play Volley Ball at Liberty pocket Park whereas the culture and history is to marginalize Black Memphis History or Black accomplishments in Orange Mound.
The Orange Mound Arts Council in Memphis is A Manufactured Façade. On June 24, 2020, Black Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris signed a 50-year "forever lease" granting the Orange Mound Arts Council (OMAC) free use of tax payer property at 2471 Park Avenue. The lease was celebrated as a cultural milestone, yet OMAC lacks transparency, community engagement, and historical rigor. Black Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris in essence gave a public building to the White man Don Gilbert who runs the "Orange Mound Arts. Council." The Orange Mound Arts Council has absolutely no significant accomplishments in Orange Mound.
There was a scheme; Ms. Mary E. Mitchell, appointed Honorary Historian at the time 81 years old in 2017 by former White Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell. Ms. Mary E. Mitchell an elderly Black woman was used to became the symbolic face of Orange Mound without producing a single written history, documentary, or archival contribution. The White religious leader Don Gilbert arranged for Ms. Mary E. Mitchell to be named an honorary Historian via former White Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell.
The Strategy Behind Ms. Mary E. Mitchell Façade is; the White Don Gilbert, founder of Kingdom Community Builders. Don Gilbert orchestrated plan and influence to elevate Ms. Mary E. Mitchell as a palatable figure—elderly, soft-spoken, and non-confrontational.
The Shelby County Government handed a free building for Black residents of Orange Mound to Ms. Mary E. Mitchell unknowingly the building being was given to the White Don Gilbert. Don Gilbert a White created "The Orange Mound Arts Council orchestrated a way get a free building in Orange Mound, 5013 C support off the of struggle of Black achievement.
The strategy of making Ms. Mary E. Mitchell the face and voice of Orange Mound allowed Black and white officials to defer historical responsibility, whereas no one would call for justice in Orange Mound. Using the elderly image of Ms. Mary E. Mitchell and her sound bites to avoided any investing in a Black History Museum or correcting the Orange Mound historical marker or making any complaints about Orange Mound.
Black Memphis Mayor Paul Young, through HCD, gifted Ms. Mary E. Mitchell a new home in 2024, reinforcing her symbolic status while the community's deeper needs remain unmet in 2025.
Elmore notes the Problem with unelected Historian is that Ms. Mary E. Mitchell's narrative centers on the Osage Orange Tree, echoing the plantation legacy promoted by Barron Deaderick, a Sons of Confederate Veterans historian. Her role perpetuates white supremacist mythology, aligning with institutional comfort rather than historical truth. She was not elected, not peer-reviewed, and not accountable to the community she claims to represent.
Ms. Mary Mitchell benefits via the 501 3 C associations to the Orange Mound Community via "The Orange Mound Arts Council." The role of Ms. Mary E. Mitchell is that of a symbolic status, whereas her role is to praise the government via public praise.
The governments of Memphis and Shelby County has no historical output, no museum, no infrastructure, instead Orange Mound gets a "White chosen Historian" who use her Blackness to give the Operation of the "Orange Mound Arts Council to the White Don Gilbert, a planned charade and Jet Eye Mind Trick.
The White leader Don Gilbert benefits behinds the scenes Influence, funding, and religious legitimacy whereas he undermines grassroots Black leadership and art that evokes Black Pride and history
Black Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris gained Political optics giving the tax payer building to the "Orange Mound Arts Council" whereas Black Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris gained cultural credit and avoids confronting systemic erasure of Orange Mound History whereas Ms. Mary E. Mitchell uses her voice to amplify the Orange Mound name from the White Supremacist Sons of Confederate Veterans Barron Deaderick who notes "The Name Orange Mound derives from an Osage Orange Tree from the John Deaderick Plantation. Mary E. Mitchell is the loud voice that connects Orange Mound to the John George Deaderick Plantation and the uplift of White Supremacy.
Black Memphis Mayor Paul Young provided a new home for Mary Mitchell. Black Memphis Mayor Young benefits via a public relations win without not a single investment in historical truth.
In regards to Black Memphis leadership there is Institutional alignment silence on white supremacy and historical fraud regarding the birth of Orange Mound as 1890 via the White Real Estate Salesman E.E. Meacham and not 1879 via two Orange Mound Black Churches MT Moriah Baptist Church and MT Pisgah CME Church.
Anthony "Amp" Elmore notes: Orange Mound is not a sound bite. It is sacred ground. The community deserves documented history, not symbolic placeholders. The appointment of Ms. Mary E. Mitchell the unelected historian who perpetuate plantation myths is not preservation—it is betrayal."
The essence of the 2013 Film "A Community Called Orange Mound" was based on "White Supremacy" whereas Jay Killingworth not only falsely credits White Real Estate Developer E.E. Meacham for creating Orange Mound, Jay Killingsworth thesis regarding Orange Mound came directly from the 1949 article written by White Supremacist Sons of Confederate Veterans Historian Barron Deaderick who wrote the false story "How Orange Mound Got its Name."
Jay Killingsworth used his function and authority as a White Filmmaker to authenticate the work of White Supremacist Barron Deaderick whereas Jay Killingsworth hired Black Narrator Wendell Payton to claim the White Supremacist narrative that the name of the Black Memphis Community of Orange Mound derived from Osage Orange Trees on the Deaderick Plantation.
First there are no historical, documents, pictures of any mention of Osage Orange Trees or the name of the John Deaderick Plantation being called "Orange Mound" before Barron Deaderick's 1949 story. More importantly the narrative of Orange Mound came from not only a White Supremacist who was the "Historian for the Sons of Confederate Veterans" he was the Grandson of the Slave owner John George Deaderick.
White Film producer Jay Killingsworth did more damage to Orange Mound's history and culture than any of the history and practices of the KKK could ever do. Jay Killingsworth used the power of institutions and authority and creativity as a filmmaker to create a false White Supremacist History to credit E.E. Meacham a White Real Estate Sales person who only created plans for a Black Community on paper whereas there exists not one single shred of evidence that E.E. Meacham's Orange Mound was ever built. There are no pictures, Tax records or any evidence.
In 2013 the Commercial Appeal Newspaper published the stated Orange Mound Shotgun homes lending creditability to the E.E. Meacham Orange Mound Shotgun house myth.
Jay Killingsworth created an entire documentary using staged and stock images of Shotgun houses, interviews and discussion about how E.E. Meacham created Orange Mound. Let's review how Jay Killings worth used his function and authority to create a fraud.
The films is narrated by Black Narrator Wendell Payton. The film starts with Douglas Cupples PHD Professor of History. There is Edac C. Fain PHD Professor of History and there is Judith Johnson architectural historian. Any architectural historian knows there has never been a community in American history of Shotgun homes or no community so tight with 100's of outdoor toilets was unsanitary. The E.E. Meacham plan was not feasible in real life. There has never been a planned community in American history that close of single story houses with outdoor toilets or infrastructure in American history.
Most important the film includes Black professor Dr. Charles Williams who was at the time Director of Graduate studies Department of Anthropology University of Memphis. In addition in August of 2013 Dr. Charles Williams released the book titled: African American Life and Culture in Orange Mound: Case Study of a Black Community, 1890-1980.
In addition the Tennessee Historical Commission produced the "Orange Mound Historical Marker" whose inscription reads: Orange Mound, developed as a Negro subdivision at the turn of the century, was formerly a 5000 acre plantation owned by John George Deaderick. Bounded by the Southern Railway on the north, Airways on the west, Park on the south, and Goodwyn on the east.
Memphis' oldest and best known African-American community received its name from the rows of mock orange shrubs in the side yard of the Deaderick home. The narrative of Orange Mound as noted by Anthony "Amp" Elmore notes the "Planned Strategy for the Black erasure of Orange Mound History." The erasure is part of a complicit and reluctant African/American Black leadership to protect White Supremacy and disregard the correct Black Memphis history.
While it is a public record that the 1st School in built for Blacks in Shelby County was built in 1890 in district 18 at the corner of Spottswood at Boston in Memphis. While this building of the 1st school for Blacks in Shelby County is absolute evidence that the Orange Mound Community existed prior to the plans registered to sell lots to Black in 1890 by E.E. Meacham.
The fact that a school was built for African/Americans in 1890 at the corner of "Spottswood and Boston" and this area was not recognized as a community is an absolute practice of "Historical Erasure" where the contributions and existence of Black Communities are racially overlooked and deliberately ignored even by an African American Anthropologist Dr. Charles Williams. Dr. Charles Williams mention the school in his book, however he ignored that fact that a Black church and Black school was there prior to the prior to E.E. Meacham alleged Orange Mound Community.
In the Case of African American Anthropologist Dr. Charles Williams, Ms. Mary E. Mitchell Orange Mound historian and Black elected officials who are silent regarding erasure of African/America History that there existed a Black Community before E.E. Meacham is a form of "Black on Black Racism."
In Memphis, Tennessee there exists no historical marker at the corner of Spottswood and Boston where the 1st School was built in Shelby County for African/Americans directly behind MT Moriah Baptist Church that purchased their land at Carnes in Boston in 1883 7 years before the Whiteman E.E. Meacham so called started Orange Mound and who sold a plots of land. Morally it is wrong for Dr. Charles Williams, Ms. Mary E. Mitchell and Black Memphis leaders to ignore the fact that Orange Mound was started by two Black Churches in 1879; MT. Moriah Baptist and MT. Pisgah CME.
While Black Anthropologist Dr. Charles Williams and Ms. Mary E. Mitchell who is a "White appointed Historian" these African/Americans have a Math and History problem. E.E. Meacham purchased 64 acres of land he registered as "Orange Mound." The bounders are Park Avenue on the South, Airways on the West, Cable on the North and Marechalneil on the East. This is absolute E.E. Meacham's Orange Mound.
The problem is that E. E. Meacham's plan on paper was to sell 981 lots. The math is off: you cannot put 981 single story homes on 64 acres via lots 25 x 100. E.E. Meacham only sold lots whereas there was no infrastructure, sewage, roads, or garbage disposal.
This is the issue; "Anthropology is the study of human societies, culture, and their development. An Anthropologist should be examining evidence and understanding the lived experiences of people. Misrepresenting history isn't doing to the field and respect of anthropology.
In the case of the Black Anthropologist Dr. Charles Williams his conjecture and his advocating the myth that E.E. Meacham 1889 plans called Orange Mound actually happen was unsustainable whereas such plans as advocated by Dr. Charles Williams would have caused a major health risk.
In just plain common sense Anthony "Amp" Elmore challenge anyone in the world to examine the E.E. Meacham plans they would see a flawed plan where such has never happen in the history of America. There has never been a planned community in the history of America with so many houses grouped together.
Anthony "Amp" Elmore explains Can anyone imagine putting 981 outdoor toilets in 64 acres of land? The smell would be unbearable. People in those days had chickens gardens and a community. Crowding that many people together such poor sanitation would defy common sense and common decency. E.E. Meacham's a plan on paper was a horrible "Shanty Town."
In regards to history Dr. Charles Williams and Ms. Mary E. Mitchell defy history and logic. There is no place in American history where you will find a planned community with so many people in a single story residence. The idea that Dr. Williams and Ms. Mary E. Mitchell present an idea that defies common sense and logic raise questions about how Blacks are used by Whites to shape public perception.
The true origins of Orange Mound are far richer and more sophisticated than the dominant narratives suggest. While voices like Dr. Charles Williams, Ms. Mary E. Mitchell, and Jay Killingsworth have made contributions to public understanding, they purposefully overlook the foundational legacy of Montgomery Park Place and how Montgomery Park Place shaped Orange Mound and not E.E. Meacham.
The 1911 Commercial Appeal advertisements powerfully reaffirm that Orange Mound was conceived not as a neighborhood of poverty and shotgun houses, but as the highest-class subdivision ever opened in Memphis for Black people. The advertisement stress this point.
It boasted large lots, broad streets, and deed restrictions that mandated minimum building costs and prohibited commercial development—all intended to preserve the integrity of a dignified residential enclave. This vision included bank financing, access to public telephones, and all-night streetcar service, positioning Orange Mound as a beacon of progress and self-determination for Black families. Dr. Charles Williams, Ms. Mary E. Mitchell, Jay Killingsworth framed Orange Mound and its development merely in terms of economic hardship diminishes the spirituality and intentional, aspirational community planning that defined Orange Mound's creation.
The most damaging insult to Black people worldwide is allowing Orange Mound to be associated to the John George Deaderick plantation is the uplift of White Supremacy and Black on Black racism.
Reclaiming this overlooked chapter that Orange Mound was started in 1879 by two Black Churches is critical—not just for historical accuracy, but to honor the pioneering spirit of Black Church people who staked their futures on their faith and promise of excellence and belonging and not a White Real Estate Salesman.
The profound and often overlooked thread in the tapestry of Black American history—the power of cultural continuity as a form of resistance and identity. While E.E. Meacham may have formally registered the subdivision as "Orange Mound," Black History suggests that the name itself was already rooted in the community's self-identification. That's not just semantics—it's a declaration of agency.
The fact that Mt. Moriah Baptist Church purchased its land in 1883, 7 years before Meacham's development, is a clearly indicates that Black residents were already establishing spiritual and communal anchors in the area. Churches like Mt. Moriah and Mt. Pisgah weren't just places of worship—they were cultural institutions, centers of education, and hubs of self-determination. Their early presence speaks to a continuity of purpose and place that predates formal recognition.
Anthony "Amp" Elmore notes the Orange Mound connection to Mound Bayou, Mississippi, founded in 1887, adds another layer. The deliberate use of the word "Mound" by Black communities—when white developers rarely used it—suggests a symbolic reclamation. Mounds, often associated with Native American heritage, may have resonated with Black Americans as a metaphor for rootedness, ancestral memory, and sacred ground. And given the complex, often hidden histories of Black-Native intersections, it's not far-fetched to see this naming as a quiet nod to a deeper lineage.
On May 19, 2025 Anthony "Amp" Elmore filed a lawsuit against the City of Memphis regarding discrimination against Black Films and Black Filmmaker. While Filmmaking is the most powerful art form in the World "The Orange Mound Arts Council refuse to acknowledge "The Contemporary Gladiator" movie made in Orange Mound Click here to to read the lawsuit.
So while mainstream narratives may focus on Orange Mound as a product of Meacham's development, the real story is that of a people who named themselves, built institutions before the E.E. Meacham's paperwork was filed naming the community Orange Mound , Blacks carried forward traditions that echoed across state lines. That's not just history—it's legacy.
Orange Mound, established as the first community in America built for Blacks by Blacks, has a rich history often overshadowed by negative stereotypes. Mainstream media and societal biases have painted Orange Mound as a "ghetto," contributing to a 30% decline in property values while surrounding communities have prospered. The Orange Mound News Network was created to counter this narrative and highlight the true spirit and resilience of our community.
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