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Debra Newman Ham has heard the complaints many times. Comments about black people not being taught their history mostly because no one kept records. She disagrees.
"There is an unbelievable ocean of African-American history resources for people who are interested in viewing them or studying them," she said.
Newman Ham has written books on the subject. She said her love for black history began during her college years at Howard University.
"Since then, it's been an absolutely moving desire of mine to tell other people about the historical sources," she said.
Newman Ham, who grew up in York and graduated from William Penn Senior High School, is the first black woman archivist at the National Archives.
A keynote speaker of the 25th Annual Conference on Black History in Pennsylvania, Newman Ham will speak today at York College.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
"My books and articles," she said.
What makes a hero?
"Someone who succeeds in the face of great odds," she said.
Do you consider yourself to be a hero?
"No. Many doors of opportunity were opened for me," she said.
Who is your hero?
"Jesus Christ."
What impact did you have on York County or on your profession?
"I would say
Who or what is your inspiration?
"The Holy Bible."
What is your favorite York County memory?
"(The) Farmer's Market and the county fair."
What would you like your hometown to know about you?
"I still love York, and I'm very proud to be a Pennsylvanian."
What's the best piece of advice you can give or have ever gotten? "This is a quote, I don't know whose it is: 'God gives his best to those who leave the choice with him.'
If you could change one thing about your life or something you did, what would it be?
"I would not change anything. I pray that I have learned from my mistakes and everything that has happened to me has formed me to be the person that I am.
So I wouldn't want to go back and tamper with anything."
