Since 2018, the Enduring Families Project, established by Denise Christy Moss and Rebecca Mormann-Krieger, has been dedicated to fostering a more unified multicultural community by recounting the narratives of African Americans from the early days of La Crosse.
The initiative showcases monologues at schools and various institutions, serving as a platform and catalyst for community dialogues and opportunities to cultivate empathy. The actors involved are all local African Americans, among them Darrell Ferguson. Ferguson, who serves as the employment navigator for Goodwill NCW, embodies the role of George Edwin Taylor, the initial African American to vie for the U.S. presidency following his nomination by the National Negro Liberty Party. This year, Ferguson has taken on the additional role of a children’s book author.
What is Enduring Families Project: Children’s Stories?
We are crafting children’s books that illuminate the significant Black figures in La Crosse’s history — the same individuals we portray. My book, “A Long Way to Find Home: The Story of George Edwin Taylor,” delves into his childhood experiences and will be the first in a series unveiling the untold stories of Black individuals in our local history.
Darrell Ferguson has embodied the character of George Edwin Taylor since the inception of the Enduring Families Project performances in 2018.
It’s a narrative that remains unfamiliar to many but holds significance for our children to grasp. We have developed two versions of the book: a coloring edition tailored for younger children in kindergarten to first grade, and an interactive version for second to fourth graders, complete with QR codes for a more immersive experience. The primary aim is to introduce young minds to diverse historical figures and enable them to see reflections of themselves in our local history.
How does the Enduring Families Project promote inclusivity and strengthen community bonds?
Although recognized for storytelling, the Enduring Families Project is fundamentally about uniting people. It transcends the boundaries of the Black community to encompass the entirety of our society. By recounting the tales of African American pioneers in La Crosse, we offer a more comprehensive understanding of our community’s history and, through these narratives, bridge divides and foster a sense of interconnectedness.
The Enduring Families Project has introduced the “August Ball” as a new addition to its lineup of events. This event was a significant affair in the 19th century, designed to spotlight young individuals with lofty aspirations in education, professions, and life. They were cultivated across various disciplines to evolve into well-rounded individuals, well-versed in both the arts and sciences. Presently, we collaborate with other entities to host this event annually during the summer in La Crosse.
The project has effectively cultivated social capital among its participants — truly embodying a sense of “family” — as well as with our audiences, partner organizations, and the broader community. My personal ethos revolves around engaging with individuals at all levels to facilitate mutual learning, enhance mutual understanding, and ensure inclusivity.
What are some of your preferred communal spaces, and how do they nurture your connections?
One of my cherished locales is The Nature Place. They engage with children from diverse backgrounds and cultural heritages, integrating outdoor experiences into their upbringing and educational journey.
Through my engagements with other communal spaces like Juneteenth, August Ball, and the Enduring Families Project, I have had the opportunity to forge connections with numerous individuals in the community who now relate to my endeavors at Goodwill. For instance, I am collaborating with Habitat for Humanity to provide soft skills training to complement the technical skills training they offer.
I am committed to engaging with individuals at their preferred level as I firmly believe in the reciprocal nature of learning. This drives my collaboration with community partners — the organizations and spaces that were absent from my upbringing in Chicago. While these spaces may have existed, the shared communal experience was lacking due to isolation in distinct neighborhoods like German Town, Korea Town, Greek Town, and Little Italy.
Now, in La Crosse, I am involved in dismantling these silos by unveiling stories such as those of George Edwin Taylor and Nathan Smith, which even locals are often unaware of. While residents may recognize Nathan’s Hill between Onalaska and West Salem, named after a Black man who escaped slavery, they may not be familiar with his full story. The Enduring Families Project aims to make history accessible and pertinent to the community, thereby fostering connections.
Good Works is a segment presented by the La Crosse Community Foundation, spotlighting the endeavors of individuals and organizations striving to cultivate a more vibrant, benevolent, and inclusive community.