Matthew Powell
@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.
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.
How Elvis Presley Rose From Poverty to the King of Rock and Roll
Elvis Presley was one of the most important musicians of the 20th century. He is often credited with being one of the fathers of modern Rock and Roll music.
7 Key Facts About John Wilkes Booth, the Man Who Killed Lincoln
John Wilkes Booth, a theater actor, is best known for assassinating President Abraham Lincoln, forever changing America’s course.
How Hiram Revels Became America’s First Black Senator in 1870
Hiram Revels became the first Black United States Senator in 1870, leading through education, faith, and dignity during one of the most fragile moments in American history.
How the Clotilda Survivors Founded Africatown in Alabama
The Clotilda was the last known slave ship to bring Africans to the United States, leading to the creation of Africatown and a legacy of resilience.
How Three Rights Organizations Cracked Jim Crow
The NAACP, SCLC, and SNCC all had different approaches to Civil Rights. Each leaving a lasting legacy in the fight for equality and justice.
7 Facts About the Volstead Act That Banned Alcohol
The Volstead Act, enforcing Prohibition under the 18th Amendment, banned alcohol yet sparked bootlegging, speakeasies, and public outrage, ultimately leading to its repeal.
7 Key Facts About the Life and Work of US President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter was a peanut farmer, Naval Academy graduate, governor, and the 39th president, whose focus on human rights and peace shaped his legacy.
7 Facts About the Reconstruction Amendments That Abolished Slavery
The Reconstruction Amendments abolished slavery, guaranteed citizenship, and secured voting rights for Black men, influencing modern civil rights.
Stephen Douglas, the Senator Who Debated Lincoln and Divided a Nation
Stephen Douglas was an important and controversial figure in American politics whose policies pushed the country closer to civil war.
How Robert Gould Shaw Became the White Officer Who Led the 54th Massachusetts
Robert Gould Shaw led the 54th Massachusetts, the first Black regiment in the Union Army, and died fighting for equality and the Union cause.
John Bell Hood, the Reckless Commander of the Confederate South
John Bell Hood was a Confederate general known for his bravery, battlefield injuries, and a string of costly decisions that led to his resignation.