Michael Evans is the Executive Director of Heritage Battle Creek -- the managing agency of the Historical Society of Battle Creek and the Sojourner Truth Institute of Battle Creek. He is a native of Detroit and a 1992 graduate of Western Michigan University where he earned his Bachelors degree in Journalism and Public Relations.

Mr. Evans was the Project Manager of the Sojourner Truth Monument, which was dedicated in September 1999 in Battle Creek’s Monument Park. He was also Project Manager of the 1997 year-long Sojourner Truth 200th Anniversary Celebration in Battle Creek.

Prior to joining Heritage Battle Creek, Mr. Evans was Executive Director of the Battle Creek Community Chorus. He also was a newspaper reporter for the Kalamazoo Gazette for five years, where he covered the police and district courts.

Mr. Evans is a council member for the Michigan Humanities Council and on the steering committee of the Michigan Underground Railroad Council. He has served on several community committees including the Grants Review Committee for the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs Rural Arts and Culture Program, the Art Education Collaborative Committee of the United Arts Council of Calhoun County, the planning committee for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Greater Battle Creek Strategic Plan, among others. He was the April 2000 Frederick Douglass Award recipient of the Battle Creek Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women.

Mr. Evans’ interests include developing arts and cultural programs, heritage tourism and youth development projects in Battle Creek in addition to working on his family farm in Cass County.

Meeting Transcript

Club Leader: Thank you for joining the chat. Mr. Evans - are you there?

Michael Evans: Yes. I'm here.

Club Leader: Tonight's topic is: How is Sojourner Truth's Legacy carried out 200 years after her death regarding freedom and equality? I welcome all book club members to post comments about our topic discussion. Let's start off with the society of Battle Creek. Why is this the location for remembering Sojourner Truth?

Michael Evans: First and foremost because, Battle Creek was Sojourner Truth's home for the last 27 years of her life and she is buried here in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Club Leader: How old was she when she died?

Michael Evans: Truth was about 86 years old when she died.

Club Leader: Can you tell us about the monument there?

Michael Evans: The monument is a 12 foot tall sculpture by artist Tina Allen. It sits at the gateway of our city at the end of the Sojourner Truth Downtown Parkway.

Club Leader: What brought Sojourner Truth to Battle Creek?

Michael Evans: Truth was invited to Battle Creek by a Quaker named Henry Willis in 1856 to speak.

Club Leader: What was she invited to speak about?

Michael Evans: The meeting was for the Friends of Human Progress. Truth spoke about the injustice of slavery and in favor of abolition

Club Leader: Who was Henry Willis?

Michael Evans: Henry Willis was one of the influential Quakers of Battle Creek. The Quakers were very active in the local abolition movement.

Club Leader: Let's take a question from a book club member: Robin of Arlington, VA asks: How did a black, female ex-slave get the recognition that Sojourner Truth got?

Michael Evans: Sojourner Truth was a very vocal and effective speaker. Because of her wit and almost shockingly frank way of speaking her Truth, she became popular spokesperson in the anti-slavery movement.

Club Leader: Sojourner Truth first took the surname Van Wagener from the owners who freed her? When did she begin using the name Sojourner Truth. Why did she choose this name?

Michael Evans: She began using the name Sojourner Truth in 1843. It was at that time she said God had led her to take her mission forward and tell the Truth against the injustices she had experienced.

novicey2k in Washington, DC asks: Did Sojourner Truth have any children?

Michael Evans: Truth had five children. One of which died at birth.

Club Leader: What was the length of time she was a slave and how did she become a slave? Were her children slaves?

Michael Evans: Truth was born into slavery in 1797 and did not achieve her freedom until 1826 when she walked away with her youngest daughter Sophia. Her children were also born into slavery.

Club Leader: Let's talk a little about Sojourner Truth efforts for freedom - for slaves and women. When did she first begin these efforts?

Michael Evans: She began these efforts really after she changed her name to Sojourner Truth in 1843. From there she met many of the anti-slavery reformers at the Northampton Association in Northampton, Mass. She took an active role in speaking shortly thereafter.

nativeson in Albany, NY asks: Is there any record of tensions between Sojourner Truth and White Suffragists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton over the direction of the movement?

Michael Evans: Truth really did not get embroiled to thoroughly in any tensions with the White Suffragists. She was an effective symbol for them but never strayed far from advocating for her people.

0 in Tallmadge, OH asks: What was her greatest effort for slave freedom? Would you go as far to call her an abolitionist?

Michael Evans: Truth was certainly an abolitionist. Her life and security were often at risk because of her vocal stance against slavery. She also was effective in assisting recently freed slaves in getting jobs and land.

novicey2k in Washington, DC asks: what are some of the myths pertaining to Sojourner Truth used to devalue her work?

Michael Evans: There are many myths about Sojourner Truth. Most of them actually elevate her work. There are some myths or accusations, such as she was a man, that were used in attempt to humiliate her.

Club Leader: What inspired Sojourner Truth to choose this path when she became free?

Michael Evans: Truth said she was led by God to take up her path. She witnessed the horrors of slavery first-hand and was committed to speaking out against its injustices.

Club Leader: Did she have a specific goal in mind when she traveled the country speaking?

Michael Evans: Her first goal was to tell her story and show that slavery was an institution that should be eradicated.

redwingrobb in San Angelo, TX asks: What would you say was Sojourner Truth's greatest legacy?

Michael Evans: One of her greatest legacies would be that her message was so correct and compelling that it continues to be relevant on issues of equality today. Many of her ideals are as relevant today as when she first spoke them.

Club Leader: Can you give an example of how her work is used today?

Michael Evans: Her example of perseverence against tremendous odds is used to inspire young people -- particularly young women -- to strive for excellence. Her stance against gender inequality continues to be discussed in contemporary arenas such as the "glass ceiling" many women often face. Her call for equality and healing between the races continues to be played out even today.

Robb Reynolds of San Angelo TX asks: How much interaction was there between John Harvey Kellogg and Sojourner Truth, since Mr. Kellogg was involved with Race Betterment from the late 1800s on?

Michael Evans: Sojourner Truth spoke at the Battle Creek Sanitarium and was later treated there for her illnesses late in her life. It is said that Dr. Kellogg even grafted some of his own skin to Truth's leg in an attempt to treat her but this has not been confirmed.

nativeson in Albany, NY asks: If I'm not mistaken, Nell Irvin Painter, said that she knew Dutch. If this is so how did she come to learn it?

Michael Evans: Truth's first master, Col. Hardenbergh, spoke Dutch. Dutch was her first language, which was a hardship when she was later sold to English-speaking masters.

novicey2k in Washington, DC asks: what are some of the circumstances that that lead to her obtaining her freedom?

Michael Evans: Isabella, as she was called then, had been promised her freedom in 1826 by her master John Dumont. Due to an injury to her hand, Dumont took back his promise because of the work he claimed he lost because of the injury. Isabella took her freedom by walking away and was later officially emancipated in 1827.

nativeson in Albany, NY asks: How was she able to finance her lawsuit to retrieve her son from slavery in Alabama?

Michael Evans: Isabella worked as a domestic and relied on the assistance of Quakers.

mfortune in Brooklyn, OR asks: Why is it that Sojourner Truth is not an featured author for high school students?

William Sollner of Arma, KS: I taught in Battle Creek Central High School 1948-60, with time out for grad school and a stint in Europe. I do not recall any official notice of Sojourner Truth's relation to Battle Creek ever being taken during those years. Congratulations to Elizabeth Neumeyer and C-Span for bringing out the story!

Michael Evans: Truth is becoming much more required study in state and national history. I'm not quite sure why her narrative has not been part of the "A" list of history books but it should be.

Club Leader: Mr. Evans, what guidance would you give teachers or parents on introducing young people to Sojourner Truth?

Michael Evans: Read Truth's Narrative and other books about her such as Nell Painter's to become familiar with her life and the causes that she stood for. Look for ways to connect Truth's causes to current issues of equality and freedom and demonstrate how Truth's message continues to be relevant.

Stingo in Stone Mountain, GA asks: Where did she acquire her strong religious faith from? And how much of an impact did her parents have on her upbringing?

Michael Evans: Isabella's mother, Betsy, told her early in life about God and taught her to have faith. This early faith in God was instrumental in shaping her views and emboldening her to take on the injustices around her. Without her faith there would never have been a Sojourner Truth.

lrricehall in Berkeley, CA asks: I heard that many of the slaves had speech impediments due to the brutal treatment they received. Was that true for Sojourner Truth?

Michael Evans: Truth was known as a witty and sharp speaker. Her voice still carried her Dutch accent, making it quite distinctive. The brutal treatment she endured did not appear to have any negative effect on her speech.

Club Leader: How did the treatment she endured by slave owners affect her mission to speak against slavery?

Michael Evans: Because she experienced harsh and brutal mistreatment first-hand, she knew how horrible an institution slavery was. This intimate and painful knowledge was a powerful motivator for her to spare others who continued to endure such treatment.

Club Leader: What impact did Sojourner Truth have on people of her day? Had she ever met Abraham Lincoln?

Michael Evans: Truth was perhaps the most famous 19th century African American woman. She was very visible and was frequently asked to speak at anti-slavery meetings and later at women's suffrage meetings. She met Abraham Lincoln on Oct. 26, 1964, where he signed his name in her "Book of Life."

Stingo in Stone Mountain, GA asks: Abraham Lincoln was said to have brushed her off during their brief meeting at the White House. Is this true and if so how specifically was he said to have patronized her?

Michael Evans: Lincoln signed his name after written "For Aunty Sojourner." Aunty was not considered a respectful title but was often reserved for elder black women instead of Mrs.

maljazur in san antonio, TX asks: How many works did Truth publish? Was her dictated autobiography the only one?

Michael Evans: The narrative was her only authored work. However, many of her speeches were recorded in newspapers and in other records, thus expanding the amount and availability of words spoken by her.

Club Leader: We have a few minutes left. Please post your questions now.

novicey2k in Washington, DC asks: how did women receive her and who were some of allies?

Michael Evans: She was a powerful symbol for many suffragists. Harriet Beecher Stowe, Olive Gilbert, Amy Post and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were among some of the women she had sided with on the issue of suffrage.

charlesrichardson in Greer, SC asks: Mr. Evans do believe that Sojourner would be pleased with the memorializing of her?

Michael Evans: Certainly. Truth often used her image, her notoriety and people's interest in her to promote her causes. I think she would be pleased that people continue to respond to her message.

Book Club Member asks: Could you recommend some good children's books about her? At what age would her autobiography be appropriate?

Michael Evans: There is a list of suggested reading for adults and children on the Sojourner Truth Institute's web site at www.sojournertruth.org. As for Truth's Narrative, there are several third-graders in Battle Creek that have read portions of t this book as part of their study of local history. As long as there are willing teachers and parents to explain the work, it should be appropriate.

Club Leader: You can also access a list of books by visiting the Community Bookstore linked from the Online Book Club. One Last Question: maljazur in san antonio, TX asks: i'd like to know if sojourner would describe herself more as a feminist or an abolitionist. If the latter, how did she become so affiliated with the feminist movement?

Michael Evans: Her first calling was for her people and she was identified early in her speaking as an abolitionist. However, particularly after her speech in 1851 that later became known as "Ain't I a Woman" she was clearly visible within the women rights movement. Toward the later part of her life she continued to work on behalf of recently freed slaves. In short, she never gave up her work on behalf of her people.

Club Leader: OK - I tricked ya - here is the last one: charlesrichardson in Greer, SC asks: Mr. Evan, do you know if there has ever been an interest in doing a movie about Sojourner's life? Thank You!

Michael Evans: We have had several documentary producers and film makers come to Battle Creek with such ideas in mind. The interest is definitely there. The question is will someone finance such a project and release it to a broad audience.

Club Leader: Thank you so much for joining us today Mr. Evans. Please join us on Monday evening at 8pm for the online book club discussion on Emerson and Thoreau!

Michael Evans: Thanks for having me.