Elyria native Shirley Brown-Reeder writes book on Elyria Black history

ELYRIA — A book on a part of Elyria's Black history is meant to spark a conversation about race and inequality. Shirley Brown-Reeder, a native of Elyria, wrote "Looking at Elyria History through Ebony Eyes," a book that is a microcosm of the Great Migration from 1920 to 1970, focusing on Elyria and Carlisle Township. The Great Migration was the relocation of about 6 million African Americans from the South to the North from 1916 to 1970. Brown-Reeder's father came to Elyria from Alabama for jobs. She grew up attending Elyria Schools, and while she said her education was great, Black history wasn't taught in schools. With her book, Brown-Reeder said she wants to spark a dialogue about the history Elyria holds. She said it's not her intention to blame anyone but to acknowledge the discrimination and role Elyria played in systemic racism. In the 1920s to 1930s, Brown-Reeder said many Black people came from the South with family and knew family in Elyria or Cleveland. Many who came to Elyria were from Tennessee or Alabama, she said. At that time in the South, they were mostly sharecroppers or farmers. But the North needed more workers, and all the white men were going off to war, particularly after Pearl Harbor in 1941. Brown-Reeder said her father said he was attracted to Elyria because it was a small town surrounded by farms. That's what many of them were used to in the South. In the summers, African Americans would travel back down South and bring back more relatives to work in Elyria. For a while, the relative would live with the family until they got their own place. That usually meant renting a one-bedroom house per family. Brown-Reeder said housing was one of the biggest areas of discrimination in Elyria. It was kept largely segregated in the city, with housing for Black people kept to the South side and to where Kerstetter Way is now. She also dedicated a chunk of her book to Black churches. She said they played a crucial role in the community. That was where Blacks could socialize freely. There were several notable Black churches during that time, including Elyria Second Baptist, Mount Nebo and Asbury United Methodist Church. Churches were segregated at that time, and Brown-Reeder said they still can be as white people mostly attend white churches and Black people attend Black churches. Brown-Reeder highlighted Black families in the city in her book, and individuals' contributions to Black history in the city. One of those was Isaac Chapman, the former Elyria NAACP president. He addressed issues of discrimination with city leaders, and he worked with church leaders. Through a tumultuous 1960s, Brown-Reeder said she remembered Elyria as a calm place. She attributed that largely to Chapman's presence and work. However, prejudice still existed throughout the city. Brown-Reeder often wasn't allowed to go to parties of white kids in school because the parents wouldn't allow it. Motels wouldn't house Black people. And there was still segregation and redlining in housing and where Black people could live. But Brown-Reeder said it was mostly a peaceful upbringing for her. She also addressed in her book some of the spots the community frequented, including the current Unity Baptist Church. That was once the Bullpen — and then the Rose Room. Brown-Reeder said it was one of the few nightclubs in the county that was open to Black people. Famous names from the likes of Aretha Franklin and Ike and Tina Turner once performed there. Brown-Reeder hopes to host an event in August to speak about Elyria's Black history and have a conversation about race and relations. Those interested in purchasing the book can place a reservation for it by contacting Brown-Reeder at shirley.reeder8198@gmail.com. Contact Laina Yost at (440) 329-7121 or lyost@chroniclet.com.