The Clark County Historical Museum is proud to announce the next installment of its popular History on Tap series, Vancouver’s First Black Families, featuring historian Melissa Williams.
In this thought-provoking presentation, Williams will explore the African American experience in Vancouver from 1940 to 1960. Attendees will learn about the formation of Black communities during World War II, the systemic challenges many families faced after the war, and the enduring legacies left by Vancouver’s first Black residents.
Melissa Williams (she/her) is a respected U.S. historian with a focus on African American history. Over the past two decades, she has contributed to a wide range of community-based historical projects and has worked with organizations such as the Center for Columbia River History, Vancouver NAACP #1139, and Portland State University. She holds a B.A. in History from the University of Washington and an M.A. in Public History from Washington State University Vancouver. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership at Portland State University. Williams also serves as the Policy Associate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
