84 Years – The Seasons of Who We Are

By John Ashworth

 Discover the inspiring story of Ida B. Wells, an investigative journalist and civil rights activist who fought against racial injustice during Reconstruction and used her voice to expose the truth, igniting a powerful movement for change.

Written to a high school History teacher...

I do not know if my thoughts will add value to your instruction, but I really appreciate the
opportunity to express them with someone inside the classroom, thank you so much for
the opportunity.   

The Lynching Sites Project of Memphis and the family of Jesse Lee Bond are working to put up a historical marker at the site where two men lynched Bond in 1939...

On Monday, March 21, 2022, around 20 students from Valor Christian School in Colorado made a return trip to Memphis to visit LSP's Ell Person's lynching site. This trip was part of their Spring Work Visit project. Good Shepherd United Methodist Church graciously hosted the group prior to the site visit, and LSP Board member John D Ashworth provided a spellbinding explication of the generational impact of slavery and racial violence on persons of color. LSP member Kelsey Lampkin gave a brief reprise of the incident and its impact on Memphis a century ago.

Since hearing the news of Sylvester Lewis’s passing my mind has been racing to put context to what it is that we lost. Sylvester’s passing was not only a loss for LSP but for the larger community beyond the borders of Shelby County. It was in my capacity as the Lynching Sites of Memphis (LSP) Project Manager for the 100th Memorialization of the lynching of Ell Persons that I met Sylvester in his capacity as Vice Chairperson of the Shelby County Historical Commission (SCHC). 

On the occasion of his final presentation as executive director of LSP Memphis, I wanted to add my voice to the continuing chorus of accolades for his outstanding service to this deeply important work. I can think of no one who stands higher in my humble regard than John Ashworth. He brings to this work a zeal and seriousness that does not allow one to ignore the truth to which he bears relentless witness. He is an ever flowing fountain of inspiration and stimulation. He never speaks without divulging pertinent and timeless truth.

People Issue 2020: Rememberers Elizabeth Queener and John Ashworth

Queener and Ashworth fight to make sure Tennessee’s racial injustices are never forgotten

STEPHEN ELLIOTT

 MAR 5, 2020 5 AM