Come visit St. Paul’s United Church of Christ with the Auglaize County Historical Society for an Ohio Humanities’ Speakers’ Bureau event with Valerie Boyer about the spirituals during the Underground Railroad in Ohio!

Negro Spirituals, which have since been renamed African American Spirituals, have been sung by enslaved people and their descendants since as early as the 18th century, and are still sung today. This talk covers what makes them such a brilliant form of resistance by discussing the hidden messages coded within them. When someone who didn’t need to know, such as an overseer or master, heard these songs, the assumption was often that they sang about heaven, scripture, or biblical reference in folklore. They had no clue that these freedom seekers were singing songs of liberation, escape routes, planned resistance, and so much more.

Valerie Boyer is a woman of many callings. She is a vocalist, musician, dancer, poet, activist, minister, historian, and most of all an educator. In every space, she breathes knowledge. Born and raised in Galveston, TX, Valerie Boyer was groomed in southern hospitality and shares that kindness everywhere she goes.

Her life’s work reflects the southern colloquialisms of her childhood and the tenacity of her adulthood. As a member of the National Forensics League, 2012 Miss Juneteenth Ambassador, Black Historian of the Year in 2019 UpStart Magazine, Valerie been able to travel the country, and has been featured at venues such as Ohio History Center, Nandi’s Knowledge Cafe, Columbus Color of Summer, Wednesday Night Live Howard University, Westerville Historical Society, Columbus City Schools GearUp initiative, Ohio Black Collective at Walsh University, NinaImani at Youngstown State university, SOBO at Ohio Black Expo, just to name a few. 

Valerie is an active member of Ohio Black Expo, and Advocates of Diversity for the state of Ohio. Valerie has taught Social Studies for years, and is currently the School and Inclusive Community Programs Coordinator at Ohio History Connection. Valerie Boyer is a proud graduate of Howard University, and resides in Columbus, Ohio.

Curious about our Speakers Bureau? Check out speakers and topics here.

Want to see other Ohio Humanities events? Check out our calendar!