Westbard African-American cemetery scandal discussed on new WPFW podcast

Marsha Coleman-Adebayo and
Harvey Matthews (holding far left and far
right sides of banner) discuss endangered
African-American cemetery on new podcast

The African-American cemetery on which developer Regency Centers and the Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission want to build a parking garage was one of the topics on a new podcast yesterday on WPFW-FM. "What's at Stake" is hosted by Marsha Coleman-Adebayo and Kevin Berends, and will be produced on the fourth Wednesday each month going forward. The program is focused on social justice issues; Coleman-Adebayo is Social Justice Director at Macedonia Baptist Church on River Road, where many buried in that cemetery worshiped.

LISTEN: "What's at Stake" (fast forward to 31:00 minutes if you just want to hear the segment about the cemetery)

Also appearing on the program is Harvey Matthews, a trustee at Macedonia Baptist Church who was also a resident of the historic black community. His family was one of many swindled out of their land along River Road by developers, as Montgomery County leaders looked the other way. Today, the church building and cemetery (located on the property of Westwood Tower on Westbard Avenue) are all that remain of the original community.

SAVE THE DATE: October 29, 2017 at 1:30 PM - Supporters of the cemetery are scheduled to march from Macedonia Baptist Church to the burial ground. I will post an update once everything is officially confirmed and announced.