Neblett, Charles D.
(born: 1941)Charles D. Neblett was a founding member of the group "The Freedom Singers." The quartet performed at the 1963 March on Washington, and decades later Neblett was one of the performers in the "Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement," an event that took place in 2010 with President Obama in attendance.
The Freedom Singers formed in 1962 in Albany, GA as part of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). The original members were Cordell Reagon, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Charles Neblett (bass), and Ruth Mae Harris. Neblett had been active in civil rights demonstrations in Cairo, IL before he joined The Freedom Singers in Albany, GA.
The group performed throughout the U.S., raising money for SNCC and educating communities about civil rights efforts. The original group broke up in 1963 but some other members continued to perform under the group name.
Read more about The Freedom Singers at the New Georgia Encyclopedia website.
Years later in Russellville, KY Charles Neblett became the first African American magistrate, leading the establishment of the Logan County and Warren County Human Rights Commission. He also was a founder of the annual Martin L. King, Jr. March and the King Celebration that take place in Logan County.
For more information see "Charles D. Neblett" at the Hall of Fame 2010 ;the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights website.
