Black History Month in Delaware County
February is finally here, and it’s a very special month for more than one reason. Not only is it a time to celebrate love with Valentine’s Day, but also to honor the strength and resiliency of African-Americans who paved the way in our communities.
One specific Muncie citizen stands out as a symbol for the Muncie Black community and beyond. He showed many African-Americans that, despite racial disparities, magnificent feats can still be accomplished. His name was Hurley C. Goodall.
Hurley C. Goodall was born in Muncie in 1927. He graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1945 and proceeded to serve in the United States Army for two years. Three years later, he married Fredine Wynn and the two of them eventually had two sons, Hurley, Jr. and Fred. Goodall worked extremely hard to provide for his family. He furthered his education by attending classes at Michigan State University, Indiana Business College and Purdue University.
In 1958, he became one of the first African-Americans to work for the Muncie Fire Department and to serve on the Muncie Community School’s Board of Education. In the 1970s, he also became the first African-American to represent Muncie in the Indiana Legislature.
Goodall noticed that very little Muncie Black history had been recorded. Having established himself in the community, he decided to tackle the problem head on.
“Today’s generations are unaware of the role Black citizens have played in the community’s development,” Goodall said. “To my own chagrin, I find I didn’t know that much about my own people. There’s very little written down.”
Goodall requested that Muncie Human Rights commission and Ball State University History Department perform a historical study of African-Americans in Muncie. He, along with J. Paul Mitchell, a visiting professor in the Political Science Department at Ball State, compiled information to create a small history book. In 1976, A History of Negroes in Muncie was finally published. Much of Goodall’s work contributed to the documentation of the history of African-Americans in Muncie. The book also helped to expand the city’s recognition of the cultural contributions of a significant part of the Muncie community.
In 1980, the Muncie Star, now the Star Press, published an eight-part series that featured profiles of Black citizens in Muncie, and what the future held for the Black community. At the time, a Black History Month committee was also formed to develop a “Who’s Who” volume that highlighted prominent African-American figures in Muncie who were also the firsts in their fields. This led to an exhibit and banquet for the city.
Goodall set a precedent. His persistence, along with many others, allowed for the first city-wide celebration of Black History Month.“
Only the most naïve would fail to understand the stress, the pressure, and the trauma, involved for those who are put in the position of breaking racial barriers in this country,” Goodall said.
The influence and contributions of Goodall and many other prominent African-American figures helped to break racial barriers throughout the country and set an inspirational example for African-Americans everywhere.
