Matthew Powell
@matthew-powell

Matthew Powell

Member since May 28, 2024

About Matthew Powell

Matthew Powell, an award-winning historian of slavery and southern history, has worked as a Park Ranger with the National Park Service in Montana and Tennessee. He served as the Executive Director of the La Pointe – Krebs House and Museum in Pascagoula, MS. He is currently an AP (Advanced Placement) history teacher in Arizona. As a historian, Matthew has published several articles in peer-reviewed academic journals, lectured at several prestigious institutions including Johns Hopkins, appeared on PBS, and as a guest on the Ben Franklin’s World Podcast. In 2020, he earned the John W. Odom Memorial Award for his research on slavery and his contribution to the field of history.

Ida B. Wells and her commemorative statue

Ida B. Wells, the Anti-Lynching Pioneer Who Shaped Civil Rights Movements

Ida B. Wells was a journalist, a Civil Rights advocate, and a suffragette. Her anti lynching campaign sparked the modern Civil Rights movement.

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robert johnson mural

The Blues Legend Who Sold His Soul at the Crossroads

Robert Johnson was a legendary Delta blues musician whose haunting music and mysterious life inspired generations and fueled one of the greatest myths in music.

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Belle Boyd and her historic home

Belle Boyd, the Civil War Spy Who Defied the Union

Belle Boyd was a Confederate spy who, at the age of 17, used her family's business to gather information to send to Confederate Generals.

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fannie lou hamer and audience

7 Facts About Fannie Lou Hamer, the Fearless Civil Rights Activist

Fannie Lou Hamer was a civil rights activist who championed voting rights, co-founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, and inspired generations.

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Adult and child portraits of Linda Brown

How Brown v. Board of Education Declared Segregated Schools Unequal

Brown v. Board of Education declared segregated schools unequal and ignited a nationwide push for civil rights that reshaped American society.

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Medgar Evers and murder weapon evidence

7 Facts About Medgar Evers, the Civil Rights Activist Who Gave His Life for Equality

Medgar Evers was an important Civil Rights figure who gave up his life for equality.

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James Meredith and March Against Fear pin

7 Key Facts About James Meredith, the Civil Rights Hero

James Meredith attended a white university at a time when an African American doing so was unthinkable.

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cahokia artists rendition

The Story of Cahokia, the Largest Native American City North of Mexico

Cahokia was the largest pre-Columbian city north of present-day Mexico and the center of trade in North America until its decline in the 13th century.

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Philip Sheridan before a burning field

Philip Sheridan, the Union General Known for His Scorched Earth Strategy

Philip Sheridan was a general known for his brutal tactics in the US Civil War and later campaigns that helped shape the American West.

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Mountains landscape with gold mine text

Treasure or Folklore? The Legend of the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine

The Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine blends Native legend, frontier history, and deadly treasure hunts into one of America’s most lasting mysteries.

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Vintage illustration alongside smiling Judy Garland

How Technicolor Revolutionized American Cinema

Technicolor transformed storytelling, created visual icons, and forever changed how audiences experienced the magic of the movies.

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Negro League baseball players and logo

How the Negro Leagues Redefined Baseball and Aided in the Fight for Equality

Major League Baseball banned Black athletes in 1880. Shut out of MLB games for over 60 years, these athletes built their own league, changing the game forever.

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