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As an IUSB intern, my title is Director of African-American Historic Affairs. <br />One of my first major projects is the Underground Railroad coming through St. Joseph <br />County. I have made contacts in Boston, D.C., Indianapolis, New York, and Michigan <br />City. I have done major research in the St. Joseph Public Library with the help of the <br />History and Genealogy Department. I have also collaborated with IUSB history <br />professor, Dr. Monica Tetzlaff on ideas about my research. I have talked to Alex <br />Rakowski and Steve Kennedy, who are part of Freedom Trails, an organization <br />concentrating on the Underground Railroad in Indiana. I am waiting on some materials <br />from Alex Rakowski who is the regional coordinator of the Northwest Indiana Freedom <br />Trails. <br />I have had a meeting with Mary Renshaw, head of the Northern Indiana Center of <br />History. I have had a chance to gather research by getting information at the Center. I <br />have gotten reliable information about the first African-American barber, James <br />Washington and his establishment I was able to locate in the downtown area but the <br />structure is no longer standing. I have done research in the Recorder's Office as well as - <br />_ - newspapers on microfilm in the Public Library ofSt. Joseph County. I plan on also — - <br />looking up materials in the Indiana University of South Bend library. I am working on <br />some of the main characters of the Underground Railroad and the whereabouts of their <br />burials. I am working on that situation with Ms. Toni Cook who is with the Cemetery <br />Commission/Genealogical Society. <br />Another project I am currently working on the opinion of how the African- <br />American community feels about making the Engman Natatorium a historical landmark. <br />OI have interviewed several and intend on interviewing more key members of the <br />