Oral History of Bob Bruce by Colton Gooch https://padlet.com/gooccolt5284/ud6f6owpysj7capk The start of the MLK celebration in Longview, Tx. Made by Colton Gooch and Diane Bell en-us 2022-05-03 17:37:26 UTC 2022-05-08 16:31:49 UTC hello@padlet.com Biographical Information gooccolt5284 https://padlet.com/gooccolt5284/ud6f6owpysj7capk/wish/2173527425 Reverend Bruce was born Radford, Virginia in 1941. He has 3 brothers and a lovely wife Laurie Kimbrough-Bruce and they are the proud parents of four children and seven awesome grandchildren. He graduated from King College in Bristol, Tennessee and Seminary Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. He taught high school and organized an integrated discussion group on campus. While in the Virginia in the early 1960’s he formed the first city-wide interracial committee of pastors to advance racial understanding to work together to bridge the racial divide in the community. During this time, he also joined the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) because he felted compelled by the work and advancement of Dr. Martin Luther King. 

In 1981, he came to Longview, Texas and became the fifth minister of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. During his tenure, church attendees became more diverse due to his outreach to minority communities. He was in the forefront of bringing recognition of the impact of civil rights leaders and in 1983, he assisted with organizing the first Longview City-Wide Martin Luther King Celebration. This celebration continues today. 

]]> 2022-05-06 23:35:08 UTC https://padlet.com/gooccolt5284/ud6f6owpysj7capk/wish/2173527425 Interview gooccolt5284 https://padlet.com/gooccolt5284/ud6f6owpysj7capk/wish/2173530181 Our Oral History Interview of Reverend Bob Bruce]]> 2022-05-06 23:41:23 UTC https://padlet.com/gooccolt5284/ud6f6owpysj7capk/wish/2173530181 St. Andrew Presbyterian gooccolt5284 https://padlet.com/gooccolt5284/ud6f6owpysj7capk/wish/2173530855 St. Andrew Presbyterian Church where the MLK Celebration was first held and organized]]> 2022-05-06 23:42:45 UTC https://padlet.com/gooccolt5284/ud6f6owpysj7capk/wish/2173530855 What one person's story can tell us about large historical forces gooccolt5284 https://padlet.com/gooccolt5284/ud6f6owpysj7capk/wish/2173559911  The interview gave an understanding of how these issues were not very long ago and still carry effects to this day and how community solutions, even in a historically difficult place like Longview, are the most effective way to change minds and mitigate prejudice.]]> 2022-05-07 00:51:52 UTC https://padlet.com/gooccolt5284/ud6f6owpysj7capk/wish/2173559911 Works Cited gooccolt5284 https://padlet.com/gooccolt5284/ud6f6owpysj7capk/wish/2173560610
“History.” Standrewpres, 2021, https://www.standrewpres.org/history. 


City of Longview. “Three Recognized at 2015 Unity Honors Luncheon.” Https://Www.kltv.com, 29 Jan. 2015, https://www.kltv.com/story/27976123/three-recognized-at-2015-unity-honors-luncheon/. 


Bruce, Robert. Personal interview. 13 April 2022.



]]> 2022-05-07 00:53:36 UTC https://padlet.com/gooccolt5284/ud6f6owpysj7capk/wish/2173560610 Page from the 10th anniversary of the MLK Celebration gooccolt5284 https://padlet.com/gooccolt5284/ud6f6owpysj7capk/wish/2174524560 Page describing the location of the 10th MLK celebration as well as listing all of the previous locations and speakers.]]> 2022-05-08 16:24:49 UTC https://padlet.com/gooccolt5284/ud6f6owpysj7capk/wish/2174524560