Amalia K. Amaki Boeken

In the 1960s, Tuscaloosa drew national attention when the University of Alabama was fully integrated. The decade also marked the arrival of Paul "Bear" Bryant as head coach of Alabama's football team and the majority of Frank Anthony Rose's tenure as president--a period characterized by race mediation and increases in enrollment, assets, and academic standards. For the next 50 years, sports, education, cultural and recreational opportunities, and business developments contributed to the city and the lifestyles of its residents. Tuscaloosa has associations with people such as F. David Mathews (who concurrently served as president of Alabama and as a secretary under Pres. Gerald Ford), writer Richard Yates (Revolutionary Road), actress Sela Ward, and quarterback Joe Namath.

Tuskegee, Alabama, is a significant historical site known for its contributions to African American achievement, including the establishment of the first law school in the state and the Tuskegee Normal School for Colored Teachers, now Tuskegee University. The city is the birthplace of notable figures like Rosa Parks and Lionel Richie and played a crucial role in civil rights advancements, including landmark court cases for voting rights and education equality. However, it also faced challenges, notably the controversial medical experiment that marred its legacy.

A ground-breaking book devoted to the life and work of Hayward Oubre brings together important examples of Oubre’s sculptures, paintings, and prints to explore his career, creative process, and legacy.