THE STATE OF ALABAMA CELEBRATES ITS BICENTENNIAL IN 2019Recognizing the rich history and culture of African Americans in the state, the Alabama Bicentennial Commission thought it not just appropriate, but vital to celebrate the people, places and events that have played an integral, but often overlooked, role in helping shape Alabama's history and culture.IN EIGHT DISTINCT SECTIONS, a team of distinguished scholars and writers guide the reader to discover little-known details about African American involvement in the region that would become known as the "Heart of Dixie."We explore the effects of slavery, the Civil War and reconstruction on the black community; the origin of Alabama's historically-black colleges and universities; the lingering impact of Post-Reconstruction era policies; the 1901 state constitution, and "Jim Crow" segregation; African American Alabamians in the military, the modern civil rights movement and noteworthy achievements in the areas of business, sports, entertainment and other fields of endeavor by African Americans who call Alabama home.