The Museum of South Texas History will host the Sunday Speaker Series Online presentation, “From Slavery to South Texas: Callis Family History,” featuring Nicholas Maddox, Sabrina Walker-Hernandez and Floyd Hannah at 2 p.m. on June 20 on Facebook Live.

The presentation will reflect on the history and significance of Juneteenth in the Rio Grande Valley. Maddox will share notes on his work with the Community Historical Archaeology Project with Schools (CHAPS) program’s documentary titled “Just A Ferry Ride to Freedom,” and the story of the Underground Railroad in the RGV. Walker-Hernandez will share the origin story of Lewis Callis, who was a resident of Edinburg for more than 73 years. Hannah, a McAllen native, and the panel will discuss the context of Juneteenth celebrations and the experiences of Black life in the Rio Grande Valley.

Walker-Hernandez is the President and CEO of Supporting World Hope. She has more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising and leadership and is certified in Nonprofit Management by Harvard Business School. She has successfully increased operation revenue and been responsible for the planning and operations of capital campaign for Boys & Girls Clubs in Edinburg. She has facilitated numerous workshops with hundreds of nonprofit professionals and is a master trainer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Kimbley Callis was born and raised in Edinburg and was the first African-American to earn a degree in music with an emphasis in Vocal Performance from Texas Lutheran University in May 2000. An accomplished singer, songwriter and pianist, she toured the United States as one of the lead soloists with the University Chorale. Callis is one of the co-founders of the Martin Luther King program celebrated every year at TLU. She assisted Sharon Connelly, a voice teacher/music chair, on obtaining musical contacts and ties to key people in the Black community who would participate in the MLK program. Callis was also a yearly solo participant for more than 10 years before she moved to San Antonio.

Maddox was born and raised in Washington, DC and credits the man he is today to his loving mother and the godly men from his local church. Maddox speaks at conferences across the state, businesses and schools in the community. He is a graduate of Leadership McAllen (Class 40), Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and North Carolina Central University. Nicholas serves as the Associate Pastor at BT Church and believes that his greatest honor is being the proud husband of Nikki and the proud father of their daughter, Sanaa.

Hannah was born and raised in McAllen. He taught elementary students at the McAllen Independent School District for 33 years. Currently, he is enjoying retirement in McAllen.

Sunday Speaker Series Online can be found at www.facebook.com/mosthistory/live or on the museum’s website at mosthistory.org/sunday-speaker-series-online.

This program is made possible with generous support from the Carmen C. Guerra Endowment. Mrs. Guerra was deeply committed to supporting educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley. This named endowment was created at the museum by her family to honor her memory and to continue her commitment to providing opportunities for education to the community.

About Museum of South Texas History
The Museum of South Texas History is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It is located downtown Edinburg at 200 North Closner Boulevard on the Hidalgo County Courthouse square. Founded in 1967 as the Hidalgo County Historical Museum in the 1910 Hidalgo County Jail, the museum has grown over the decades through a series of expansions to occupy a full city block. In 2003, following the completion of a 22,500 square foot expansion, the museum was renamed the Museum of South Texas History to better reflect its regional scope. Today, the museum preserves and presents the borderland heritage of South Texas and Northeastern Mexico through its permanent collection and the Margaret H. McAllen Memorial Archives and exhibits spanning prehistory through the 20th century. For more information about MOSTHistory, including becoming a FRIEND, visit MOSTHistory.org, like us on Facebook and Instagram, follow on Twitter, find on YouTube or call +1-956-383-6911.

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