From Orange Mound to Africa: Celebrating the Roots of African Cultural Diplomacy and Black History
MEMPHIS, TN, January 20, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ — On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill making the third Monday in January a federal holiday in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. Anthony “Amp” Elmore Sr., a Memphis-born, 5-time world kickboxing champion, community activist, Memphis’s first 35mm independent theatrical filmmaker, and content creator, is using his skills and dedication to honor Dr. King’s vision through Orange Mound’s African connections.
Elmore explains; my mission in Orange Mound ‘Honoring Dr. King’s Vision: Orange Mound’s African Connections,’ is to challenge the oppressive narrative that attributes the origins of Orange Mound solely to a White plantation owner John Deaderick from the 1825 to 1830, and to assert the rightful history and heritage of Orange Mound as rooted in the rich Afro-Indigenous culture, tracing back to the ancient Mali Empire and the Mound Builders, thereby empowering the community to reclaim and celebrate its true legacy beyond the confines of a slave narrative.”
Elmore’s efforts have influenced Orange Mound to become “The Birthplace of African Cultural Diplomacy” in honor of Dr. King’s legacy. Click here to see Video.
Orange Mound is the first community in America built by Blacks for Blacks, and in 2016, former First Lady Michelle Obama named Orange Mound a Preserve America Community. Click here to See video.
In his last speech in Memphis on April 3, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. mentioned Nairobi, Kenya; Johannesburg, South Africa; and Accra, Ghana. Founded in 1953 by Black man Bayard Rustin and White Man George Houser the American Committee on Africa (ACOA) was dedicated to supporting African liberation struggles and informing the American public about African issues. As one of the first national organizations dedicated to anti-colonial struggles in Africa, the organization played host to countless African leaders in the United States. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. served on the national committee from 1957 until his death.
Elmore explains we must remember the name Bayard Rustin. From December 5, 1955 to December 20, 1956 Dr. Martin Luther King lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott whereas 4 months before the end of the Montgomery Bus Boycott on August 15,1956 ACOA brought a 26 year old African by the name of Tom Mboya from a place then called British East Africa that would later become Kenya. Mboya spoke at colleges in America garnering scholarships for Africans to come to America for an education. Mboya noted that for his people to operate their County youth needed to be educated
From March 4 to March 12, 1957, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta Scott King traveled to West Africa to attend Ghana’s independence ceremony. One month later, on April 19, 1957, Dr. King spoke in Memphis at Metropolitan Baptist Church across from Lemoyne College in Memphis. Dr. King was connected to Memphis long before his death in Memphis in 1968. Unknown and untold Dr. King loved Orange Mound and one of his closest friends in Memphis was Adjua Naantaabuu who started Kwanzaa celebration in Memphis whereas she operated the “Village Barber Shop in Orange Mound.”
In regards to the Montgomery Bus Boycott Anthony “Amp” Elmore quit college in 1972 to join with Dr. King’s and the SCLC Chief Strategist of the Montgomery Bus Boycott Rev. James Bevel. Elmore is also pictured with Civil Rights activist Queen Mother Moore who is connected to Marcus Garvey. Click here to see James Bevel Video interview Elmore posted on You Tube.
On April 18, 1959, Dr. King was the chair and spoke at the “Youth for Integrated Schools” event in Washington, D.C. Among the speakers was Tom Mboya, the voice from Africa. Less than a month later, on May 13, 1959, Dr. King and the SCLC honored Tom Mboya via an event called “The African Freedom Dinner.” Honoring Tom Mboya at Atlanta University, Dr. King said, “Our struggle is not an isolated struggle. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality.” Dr. King was deeply connected to Africa and Elmore notes that celebrations honoring Dr. King should include his efforts to join Africans and African/Americans together.
“Dr. King who successfully led the Montgomery Bus Boycott that ended in December of 1956 was a pivotal moment in the American civil rights struggle. Meanwhile, from 1956 to 1959, Tom Mboya was at the forefront of an equally transformative movement in Africa, advocating for independence from colonial rule.
Young and articulate, Mboya’s leadership reshaped American perceptions of Africa and Africans. His efforts culminated in the “Airlift America” program in 1959 where he secured numerous scholarships for African students. The program gained support from notable figures like baseball legend Jackie Robinson, singer Harry Belafonte, and actor Sidney Poitier, who helped raise funds for chartering a flight to bring African students to America. Among those who benefited was a 23-year-old Kenyan, Barack Obama Sr., who traveled to Hawaii for his education. His son Barack Obama Jr. would later become America’s 1st Black President in 2008.
On May 13, 1959, Dr. King and the SCLC hosted the “African Freedom Dinner” in honor of Tom Mboya. Dr. King Pictured in Orange Mound at Mt Moriah Baptist Church August of 1959 tells a story about Dr. King’s strong association to Orange Mound. On September 11, 1959, 81 students arrived from East Africa., Dr. King’s church sponsored a few of the African students, further bridging the civil rights movements in America and Africa.”
Tom Mboya played a pivotal role in American history, particularly in the context of the 1960 Presidential Election between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Mboya, a charismatic and articulate leader from Kenya, was instrumental in reshaping American perceptions of Africa and Africans. His efforts in securing scholarships for African students brought the “Airlift America” program that launched Mboya into the spotlight. In 1960, Mboya appeared on the cover of Time Magazine on March 7, 1960 highlighting his influence and the significance of his work.
In 1960 Mboya has acquired so many scholarship whereas he needed to charter another airplane to bring students to America for College. Mboya asked Vice President Nixon and the state department declined. Desperate Mboya met with Kennedy whereas when Kennedy learned that there was no one to support the African students Kennedy agreed that their family’s foundation would assist.
This strategic move helped Kennedy gain crucial support from the Black community, ultimately contributing to his victory in the 1960 election. Mboya’s influence extended beyond his own continent, leaving a lasting impact on American civil rights and politics in America.
This story noted earlier to remember the name Bayard Rustin. Bayard Rustin who help found ACOA in 1953 whereas ACOA brought Tom Mboya to America in 1956. It was Bayard Rustin who organized the most significant “March on Washington in American history.” While the world may not know Bayard Rustin, we Remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Making his Iconic I have a dream speech. It was Bayard Rustin who organized “The March on Washington August 28, 1963.” Elmore hosted a screening of the movie Rustin at his Orange Mound Home in November of 2023.
Just four months later after Dr. King’s iconic I have a dream speech, on November 22, 1963 President Kennedy was assassinated. Two weeks later after Kennedy’s assassination a mile stone happen in what was then part of the “American Civil Rights Movement” whereas on December 12, 1963 Kenya becomes a Nation and many of the American civil rights leaders who helped Kenya to become a nation attended the Kenya’s inauguration whereas Kenya was a part of the civil rights movement. It was America’s 1st Black Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall who wrote Kenya’s 1st Constitution and Bill or Rights.
President Kennedy’s assassination would affect Kenya/ American relationships and also distance Kenyans and Black Americans. On April 4, 1968 Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated in Memphis. On July 5, 1969 Tom Mboya was Assassinated in Kenya whereas such losses eroded Africans and African/American connections between Kenyans and Black America.
It started in 1990 whereas Anthony “Amp” Elmore experienced the phenomena of the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Kenya. In 1974 a new sport was born in America called “PKA Full Contact Karate” that later became known as “Kickboxing.” Elmore via his Karate Japanese culture joined a Buddhist organization called NSA whereas Elmore vowed to continue the work of Dr. King via becoming what would become “The World Kickboxing champion.” Elmore promoted the 1st Kickboxing bouts in Orange Mound in 1979 wherein in 1981 Elmore was the 1st to bring E.S.P.N. to Memphis.
In 1986 Elmore produced shows for B.E.T. or Black entertainment Television whereas in 1986 Spike Lee produced the film She’s Gotta Have it. Inspired Elmore went to Jr. college took typing and English, wrote a movie, mortgaged his home and in 1987 started production of the 1st Independent 35mm Theatrical film in Memphis film history. The film titled “The Contemporary Gladiator” premiered in Memphis Theatres in July of 1988.
It was in 1990 on Safari on the Maasai Mara plains in Kenya where Elmore experienced what Africans told him was “Ancestral Spirits.” Elmore’s film “The Contemporary Gladiator” Premiered in Nairobi, Kenya wherein the Kenya Government not only treated Elmore to a Kenya Safari, Elmore was treated with a Hero’s welcome whereas Elmore’s life would never be the same. Elmore’s story is best described via a Memphis Television interview. Click here to see Elmore T.V. interview.
On January 13, 2025 Anthony “Amp” Elmore sent a request letter to his friend Memphis Congressman Steve Cohen titled “Honoring Dr. King’s Vision via Orange’s Mound African Connections” whereas the letter request asks the Congress office to support Elmore’s Orange Mound’s commitment to education, community & family.
The letter asks the Congress office to communicate with the “Embassy of Mali” whereas it is believed that the name Orange Mound is associated with the 1310 Mali King Mansa Abubakari II who sailed to America with over 200 ships almost 200 years before Columbus. Orange Mound’s interest is to arrange a “Sister City with Timbuktu” & Orange Mound.” During the 13th to 17th Century Timbuktu was the world’s center of learning. Timbuktu is a “UNESCO World Heritage Site.”
Dr. King’s historic visit to Ghana in 1957 laid the groundwork for a lasting connection between Africa and the African American community. Building on this legacy, Anthony Elmore’s journey to Ghana not only resulted in the creation of the “First All-African Home in America” but also fostered significant cultural diplomacy. With Governor Nyong’o of Kisumu, Kenya, agreeing to honor Orange Mound with a sister city, we continue to strengthen these ties and celebrate our shared heritage. For more details, visit the Orange Mound News Network website, click Here on “Breaking News,” and view the graphic to read Anthony Elmore’s letter to Congressman Steve Cohen.
Anthony “Amp” Elmore achieved a historic breakthrough in Orange Mound via “Orange Mound’s Cherokee Elementary School via it principal Ms. Tina Smith who names Cherokee School in Orange Mound “A Hidden Gem.” Principal Tina Smith not only advocates reading about Africa she supports the idea of traveling to Africa and taking students to learn about “The Motherland of Africa. Click here to view Principal Tina Smith’s Interview.
From August 25th 2024 to September 1st 2024 Anthony “Amp” Elmore Sr. was honored diplomatic status as the guest of Kisumu, Kenya for the FESTAC Celebration. FESTAC is the World’s largest Black and African Cultural Celebration. Kisumu Kenya Governor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o invited Elmore as a diplomatic guest. While in Kenya Elmore asked Governor Nyong’o to host the Tom Mboya’s 70th and 1st Black Family Reunion in Africa in August of 2026. Click here to learn about the upcoming First Black Family Reunion in Africa in August 2026.
Elmore along with Memphis Congressman Steve Cohen and the late Tennessee State Senator Reginald Tate Celebrated Tom Mboya’s 60th of him coming to America on his 26th birthday August 15, 1956. The celebration was held in Orange Mound at Elmore’s home in August of 2016. Click here to see video of the celebration.
In 1992 Anthony “Amp” Elmore Sr. met with the late Kenya President Daniel Arap Moi who named Elmore an African Ambassador. Anthony “Amp” Elmore Jr. accompanied his father via his recent trip to Kenya. Amp Jr’s trip inspired the Dr. King’s spirit inside of him that encourages others to connect via their cultural heritage in Africa. The father and son decision was made in honor of Dr. King’s legacy we will take others to Africa to Kenya in mid-July 2025.
Honoring Dr. King’s Vision: Orange Mound’s African Connections and to honor our beloved Community of Orange Mound. The decision was made to invite anyone and everyone to travel with us to Africa to the country of Kenya in the middle July 2025 for a 10 day tour. All of the details and arrangements not final, however many details can be learned by those going and not going on the trip via the Website: “Orange Mound to Africa .Com.” The website is about: “Inspiration, Family, Culture, History, Education, and Entertainment.” Details about the trip and cost will be posted on the website. Click here to visit the website: orangemoundtoafrica.com.
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