The Ongoing Fight for Freedom: Stories of NC Black Veterans
“The Ongoing Fight for Freedom: Stories of NC Black Veterans” is a one-man presentation & performance elevating Black freedom fighters and veterans with North Carolina connections – known & unknown, on and off the traditional battlefield – who have engaged in over 400 years of a struggle for freedom, liberty, and equality. Their sacrifices, resistance, and resilience have contributed to American democracy, even as they were denied the full rights of citizens. Through listening to their stories in this production, we can gain a deeper understanding of our nation’s founding ideals, and harness the hope to continue the work, together, of making those ideals a reality for all.
This show was collaboratively written and is performed by Dr. Sonny Kelly, founder of Legacy Heirs Productions. The play’s development was commissioned & funded by the NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources’ America 250 NC initiative & produced by the Learning Happens Here initiative of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, in collaboration with Carolina K-12.
- The show is approximately 75-80 minutes long.
- While no violence or graphic images are included in this presentation, it does include archival images and sound ques depicting and referencing scenes of battle, war, and the Jim Crow era. Suicide is briefly mentioned.
- This performance is intended for general public audiences of adults (16+). However, mature children aged 12 and older, who are accompanied by a guardian and are capable of maintaining a seat and focus through a 75-minute production, may also find the experience enriching. Parental discretion is advised.
- Private performances for K-12 schools can be tailored to suit middle and high school audiences
The presentation is based on historical research, including actual events and people who have contributed to North Carolina throughout the last four centuries. Artistic liberties have been taken in how figures are presented. While some dialogue is taken directly from oral histories or interview sources, the majority of the dialogue and characterizations have been interpreted for dramatic intent.
Saturday, March 1, 2025
Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
2332 New Garden Rd, Greensboro, NC 27410
Performance begins at 2:00 p.m.
This free performance includes the full 80-minute performance followed by a Q&A with the artist. Pre-registration not required.
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Dennis A. Wicker Civic and Conference Center
1801 Nash St, Sanford, NC 27330
Performance begins at 1:00 p.m.
This free performance is open to the public. For more information or group reservations, call (919) 718-7470 or email bstumpf@cccc.edu.
Friday, March 7, 2025
Owen High School
99 Lake Eden Rd, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Performance begins at Noon | Pre-registration Required
This private educational event is designed for students and includes an abbreviated 50-minute performance. Teachers who would like to attend with students should contact Christie Norris at christie.norris@dncr.nc.gov.
Friday, March 7, 2025
Black Mountain Center for the Arts
225 W State St, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Performance begins at 7:00 p.m. | Pre-registration Required
This free event includes the full 80-minute performance and is open to the public, though pre-registration is required.
Register to Attend March 7th Performance
"African American soldiers have answered the call to fight in every American war and conflict, from the Revolutionary War, in which they served in integrated units, to the war in Iraq and beyond. Yet they often served without the benefits of recognition or even citizenship - and despite unfair treatment, discrimination, and even violence by their own comrades in arms. Some were denied honors they were earned; many were underpaid or not paid at all…We owe it to them to learn from their stories, to remember their names.” (Stories of War)
In order of appearance, Dr. Sonny Kelly will introduce each audience to:
- Berry C. Kelly “Pop” (1941 – 2021)
- W.E.B. DuBois (1868 – 1963)
- Freeman (c. 1750)
- Jemmy (unknown – 1739)
- Thomas Peters (c. 1738-1792)
- John Chavis (c. 1763– 1838)
- Isaac Hammond (c. 1755 – 1822)
- Issac Carter/The Harlowe Patriots (c. 1760 – 1811)
- Ned Griffen (unknown – 1842)
- Frederick Douglass (1818 – 1895)
- William Henry Singleton (1843 – 1938)
- John W. Pratt (unknown)
- Lucy Nichols (1838-1915)
- Abraham Galloway (1837-1870)
- Sgt. Henry Johnson/Harlem Hellfighters (c. 1892 – 1929)
- Capt. James H. Porter/ 555th Battalion, “Triple Nickles” (1925 – 2006)
- First Lt. Wilson Vash Eagleson/Tuskegee Airmen (1920 – 2006)
- Elmer Gibson (1903 – 1994)
- Robert F. Williams (1925-1996)
- Sarah Keys Evans (1929 – 2024)
- Dovey Johnson Roundtree (1914-2018)
- Golden A. Frinks (1920-2004)
- Troy Williams (1955 – present)
- Bennis Blue (1953 – present)
- Phoebe Jeter (1964 – present)
- Bembry King “B” (1978 – present)
A Parallel Struggle for Freedom: Black People During the American Revolution
Shining a Light on Untold History: North Carolina’s Black Revolutionary War Soldiers
“Stealing a Little Freedom”: Enslaved Runaways in North Carolina
Freedom Seeking Across North Carolina
What to the American Slave is the Fourth of July?
Fighting for Freedom: Black Contributions to the Civil War
Booker T. Spicely & the Dangers WWII Black Veterans Faced in their Fight Against the Jim Crow South
How Should Robert F. Williams Be Remembered?
Exploring African American Leadership & Service in NC
Lessons/Activities for Use at/in conjunction with NC Freedom Park
Dr. Sonny Kelly | Writer & Performer: Dr. Sony Kelly is a professional performer, storyteller, motivator, scholar, & founder/principal of Legacy Heirs Productions. Currently a full-time instructor of Communication at Fayetteville Tech, he holds a PhD from UNC-Chapel Hill, as well as degrees from Stanford and St. Mary’s. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and also serves as a youth minister.
This show was collaboratively written and is performed by Dr. Sonny Kelly, founder of Legacy Heirs Productions. The play’s development was commissioned & funded by the North Carolina Department of Natural & Cultural Resources’ America 250 NC initiative & produced by the Learning Happens Here initiative of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, in collaboration with Carolina K-12.
- “The Star Spangled Banner” | Elenah Kelly, Vocals and Michael Betts II, Sound Production
- “Freedom Is A Constant Struggle” | Leyla McCalla
- “Oh, Freedom!” | The Golden Gospel Singers
- "Walk in the Light" vocals by Brentton Harrison, with sound production by Michael Betts II
Research assistance & archival imagery was provided by the NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources, including the State Library of North Carolina, the State Archives, and the NC Musuem of History. While the presentation is based on historical research, including actual events and people who have contributed to North Carolina throughout the last four centuries, artistic liberties have been taken in how figures are presented. While some dialogue is taken directly from oral histories or interview sources, the majority of dialogue is interpreted for dramatic intent.
For inquiries about this performance, bookings, K-12 resources, etc., contact Dr. Sonny Kelly or Christie Norris.