LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Every February, we celebrate Black History Month.

But this year particularly means a little more for Crystal Shurley, a graduate student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR), who is shedding light on the long-overlooked contributions of the black communities in Arkansas made to World War I.

“It can sometimes be a painful history for African Americans,” says Shurley. “There was little to no information about the Arkansas Colored Auxiliary Council so I had to go back to the Arkansas Gazette from 1920.” 

Shurley spent two years gathering information for her thesis on the Arkansas Colored Auxiliary Council. A Black activism organization that helped support American soldiers during World War I. 

“If I hadn’t found this – if I hadn’t started doing this research,” Shurley explains. “It could have been lost for a very long time before somebody dug it up.” 

However, she didn’t stop once she submitted her thesis. She created a website in hopes to save and preserve the rare history she uncovered. 

“The few clippings I found was rich with patriotism,” says Shurley. “They helped fund parts of the war – before they started charging it on credit.” 

Shurley says, her website is an excellent guide for educators in Arkansas who wish to teach their students about the organization and a good way to share once thought to be lost history with the world. 

“Digital is better,” says Shurely. “It’s about access at your fingertips and being able to share this historical information with the world.” 

For more information on the website, click here.