Back to Africa Movement
At the beginning of the twentieth century a national Back-to-Africa movement emerged among many ex-slaves freed by the Civil War. In Oklahoma this movement was led by Alfred C. “Chief” Sam, who in 1913 traveled the state’s All-Black towns and large African American population centers illuminating the merits of Africa’s Gold Coast. His testimony swayed many as Oklahoma’s Jim Crow system began to segregate the Black population. Although he had many state, national, and international critics, Sam gained a large following. Nearly six hundred travelers camped near Weeletka as Sam secured a boat and prepared for the trip. Only sixty made the one and only ill-fated journey from Galveston, Texas, to Africa. Without provisions, confused by the African Culture, and overcome with sickness, the travelers became disillusioned, and the movement fizzled.
Information provided by Larry O'Dell, Historian
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