By Walter B. Curry, Jr., Ed. D
The Awakening: The Seawright-Ellison Family Saga, Vol. 1, A Narrative History
The Awakening: The Seawright-Ellison Family Saga, Vol.1, A Narrative History, is the first volume in a narrative history about the descendants of two families that share a common ancestor, Martha Kitchings Seawright Ellison, born into slavery, in 1849, in Aiken County, South Carolina. The book documents the beginnings of the family saga through Martha’s life during slavery, The Civil War, The Reconstruction Era, and family life in Aiken County and beyond. The book documents the saga with contextualized resurrected stories of relatives who were contributory figures of African American history in South Carolina and beyond.
2023 National Indie Excellence Award Finalist-African American/Non Fiction
2023 National Indie Excellence Award Finalist-Regional Non-Fiction/Southeast
2022 African American Historical & Genealogical Society Book Award Winner-Non-Fiction/Regional Genealogy
Literary Titan Gold Award
By Walter B. Curry, Jr., Ed. D
The Thompson Family: Untold Stories From The Past (1830-1960)
Through the stories of enslaved ancestors and notable relatives, The Thompson Family: Untold Stories from The Past (1830-1960) chronicles the rich history of an prominent African American family from the Wagener and Salley communities of Aiken County, South Carolina that features stories of individuals who were enslaved, served in the Civil War, achieved entrepreneurial success during the Jim Crow era, and much more. The book includes an appendix section which consists of individual pictures, documented history of places and events, and primary sources.
2019 African American Genealogical and Historical Society Book Award Winner-Non-Fiction/Genealogy
Literary Titan Gold Award
By Walter B. Curry, Jr., Ed. D, Beverly Aiken Muhammad and Anusha Ghosh, Beverly Aiken Muhammad, Foreword by Bobby Donaldson, Ph.D
South Carolina’s Matilda Evans: A Medical Pioneer
The Life of a Trailblazer
Matilda Arabella Evans was born four years after the abolition of slavery and raised on a family farm in eastern Aiken County. She was the first African American woman in South Carolina to obtain a medical license and fervently championed better healthcare for African Americans, with a particular focus on children. Her early life experiences, academic accomplishments, strong religious beliefs and innovative medical approaches made her a crucial figure in enhancing healthcare accessibility for families in South Carolina, especially during the difficult era of racial segregation, when she also served as a civic advocate to uplift her local community. Authors Dr. Walter B. Curry, Beverly Aiken Muhammad and Anusha Ghosh reveal the inspirational story of Dr. Evans and her remarkable journey throughout her career.
Founder
Walter B. Curry, Jr., Ed. D
Dr. Walter B. Curry, Jr. hails from Orangeburg, South Carolina, where he began his academic journey by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in political science from South Carolina State University. He furthered his education by acquiring multiple graduate degrees in the field of education, culminating in a doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction from Argosy University in Sarasota. In 2018, he established Renaissance Publications, LLC, a self-publishing venture dedicated to the literary arts, with a particular emphasis on historical scholarship that explores ancestry and local history. Dr. Curry is the author of two award-winning books: “The Thompson Family: Untold Stories from the Past (1830-1960)” and “The Awakening: The Seawright-Ellison Family Saga, Vol. 1, A Narrative History.” These works delve into the rich lineage of his family, tracing their experiences from the era of slavery through the Civil War, the Reconstruction Era, and their life in and around Salley, South Carolina. Most recently, he has completed his third publication, “South Carolina Matilda Evans: A Medical Pioneer,” which serves as the official biography of Dr. Matilda Evans, the first African American woman licensed to practice medicine in South Carolina. Dr. Curry actively engages with the community through book signings and presentations at various local conferences, workshops, bookstores, and educational institutions across the state and the nation.
Dr. Curry serves as the Author-In-Residence at the Aiken Center for the Arts, where he plays a pivotal role in fostering educational experiences through engaging exhibits tailored for Aiken County Public Schools. His initiatives aim to animate the narratives found within his literary works, thereby enriching the students’ understanding and appreciation of storytelling. Dr. Curry holds a certification as a Certified Interpretive Guide from the National Association of Interpretation, a testament to his expertise in conveying complex ideas in an accessible manner. His contributions to the literary community have garnered him numerous awards, reflecting his dedication and impact in the field.
Dr. Curry resides in Columbia, South Carolina, alongside his wife, Takiyah S. Curry, a registered nurse and alumna of the University of South Carolina. The couple has two sons, Braxton and Braylon. In his free time, Dr. Curry appreciates family activities, traveling, exploring historical landmarks, engaging in arts and humanities events, and enjoying the natural beauty and local history at South Carolina State Parks.
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Presentations
Dr. Matilda Evans:South Carolina's Medical Pioneer
Born four years after the end of slavery, Matilda Arabella Evans, who grew up on a family farm in eastern Aiken County, South Carolina, was the first African American and first woman in licensed to practice medicine in South Carolina and an advocate for improved health care for African Americans, including children. Matilda’schildhood experiences, educational background, religious faith, innovative practices, and her undying love for humanity, propelled her to become a remarkable figure in expanding healthcare access for African American and White families in South Carolina, especially during the era of racial segregation in the South. The presentation explores Matilda’s remarkable journey from childhood to medical practice. This compelling sto will captivate readers on Matilda’s journey of resiliency and purposeful living that made her one of South Carolina’s compelling historical figures and sheroes.
Martha Kitchings Seawright Ellison
Martha Kitchings Seawright Ellison was born enslaved on November 20, 1849, in Aiken County, South Carolina. This presentation tells the contextualized story of her life, featuring local history of the antebellum period and Civil War in South Carolina during Martha’s enslavement; a historical account of Martha’s life during the Reconstruction Era; the circumstances that involved Martha’s marriages to two husbands; and post Reconstruction era through the Gilded Age (1875-1900) during Martha’s life.
Presentation mode: Online or In-Person
Lavinia C. Thompson-The Personal Story of Slavery, The Civil War, and Family Life in South Carolina
The presentation will focus on the fascinating story of Lavinia C. Thompson who was born into slavery in South Carolina on June 3, 1844 in Aiken County. She would follow her master into battle in the Civil War, serving the Confederate army as a cook. Six decades later, Lavinia would be among about 100 black South Carolinians who received small pensions for their involuntary service to the Confederate cause.
Presentation mode: Online or In-Person
South Carolina African American Confederate Pensioners
Do you know that there were over 100 African American Confederate Pensioners from 42 of the 46 counties across South Carolina? This presentation will cover the initial usage of enslaved labor to South Carolina military efforts during the Civil War; the diverse roles of African American Confederate Pensioners during the Civil War; South Carolina approval of Confederate pensions for African Americans; notable features of South Carolina African American Pensioner application. The presentation will also offer suggestions for historical and genealogical projects to broaden the stories of South Carolina African Confederate Pensioners.
Presentation mode: Online or In-Person
The Thompson Family: Untold Stories From The Past (1830-1960)
Presentation: Online or In-Person
Speaking Engagements
Book Dr. Curry for your next speaking engagement.