Project to honor town’s diversity

Former college and professional football offensive lineman Gerald Cadogan has lived in Philadelphia, San Diego and Toronto, so he understands the allure of a big city.

But the Portsmouth native also knows that his Appalachian hometown, 92 miles south of Columbus along the Ohio River, has as much rich history of fighting for equality as any major urban hub.

That’s why the Portsmouth Unity Art Project that Cadogan organized – “Stand Together. here.”– will launch its campaign Tuesday to honor local rights advocates.

Tuesday was chosen because Sept. 22 is the day that Ohio traditionally commemorates Emancipation Day in recognition of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation abolishing slavery.

“It’s more than just recognizing history,” Cadogan said. “[It’s] to see that we do have pillars of all races, both men and women, that helped shape this community and state that had some national impact.”

Cadogan was inspired to lead the project after George Floyd’s death in May in the custody of Minneapolis police, and wanted to channel his frustrations into action.

“When we look back at 2020 in five years, you can say, ’Hey it was a rough year,’ yeah, but what did you do?” he asked. “And if your answer is, ’I just talked or posted (on social media),’ that’s not enough.”

Cadogan was an Academic Allamerican offensive lineman at Penn State University.

He ended up signing as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers, then after being waived played on three other NFL teams’ practice squads.

After leaving the Indianapolis Colts in early 2010, he worked for Calgary in the Canadian Football League before becoming a member of the Toronto Argonauts team that won the 100th Grey Cup championship in 2012.

Cadogan, along with the nonprofit Friends of Portsmouth, partnered with the city to install historically themed unity banners honoring local abolitionists, suffragettes, Civil Rights-era activists and more.

The project also commissioned local artists to complete four largescale, outdoor murals honoring native sons and daughters of Portsmouth, said Andrew Lee Feight, a local historian and project team member.

In Bonneyfiddle, Portsmouth’s Black neighborhood, one muralist designed a piece to celebrate Hezekiah Leroy Gordon “Stuff” Smith, a Black jazz violinist who was a pioneer of swing music.

“The diversity of Appalachian communities, unfortunately, has suffered from these stereotypes that Appalachia is white and that the residents are white,” Feight said.

Feight, also a professor of American history at Shawnee State University, said the project is a way for the community to illustrate its diverse past and present while also uncovering history overlooked and forgotten.

The city, which has roots in the Underground Railroad, produced two abolitionists and congressmen: James Ashley, who authored the 13th Amendment, and Wells A. Hutchins, who crossed party lines to support that legislation, which would go on to abolish slavery.

At 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Tracy Park, Portsmouth native and former Major League Baseball All-star Al Oliver will deliver a keynote address.

Oliver was part of the league’s first all-minority lineup in 1971 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and was the National League batting champion and RBI champion in 1982 as a member of the Montreal Expos.

Oliver is featured on one of the new historical banners, which are located along Chillicothe and 2nd streets.

Tuesday’s attendees will be able to listen to music provided by the local Christ Community Church and participate in a walking tour with actors showcasing the people on the banners.

Cadogan said he hopes the event helps shatter stereotypes and the segregation he still sees in Scioto County.

“I hope that that cycle of division is broken totally,” Cadogan said, “and someone can be seen for who they are based on what they bring to the table no matter what your culture or creed is.”

The Tracy Park celebration and music are free, and those taking the tour can purchase tickets ahead of time for $2 each at https://uniteportsmouth. eventbrite.com. cdoyle@dispatch.com @cadoyle_18