John R. Lynch was 16 years old when he was freed from slavery in Natchez, MS. At the age of 22, he was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives. At the age 24, he became the first Black Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives - the first Black man in any state to hold the position. At the age of 26, just 10 years removed from slavery, he became the youngest person ever elected to Congress where he served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1875-1883.
Lynch introduced the Civil Rights Act of 1875 which would be the last federal civil rights law passed for nearly a century. Today, beginning at the 1400 block of the street named in his honor, Jackson State University stands as a tribute to his story of Black freedom; excellence and achievement; and young, gifted, Black brilliance.
Happy #Juneteenth
#TheeiLove 1400 John R Lynch Street
I remember watching “The Box” Music channel waiting to record the video for “Me, Myself and I”. Having friends ☎️ so I can catch a clean copy to watch whenever I needed (for real) to see it. #thankyoudave@WeAreDeLaSoul So happy y’all out.
Really wanted to share in the @WeAreDeLaSoul experience but the lottery for the tickets Thursday didn't pan out for me. 🥺😩 I'll still be rocking my Africa medallion for the crew and their "angel above that can talk to you"! RIP Dave! Thank you for your presence.