Upcoming virtual presentations mark 50th anniversary of Pontiac bus bombings

Oakland History Center, Oakland Literacy Council Present on Racial Integration in Pontiac Schools

PONTIAC, MICHIGAN – On February 18, 2021, the Oakland History Center and Oakland Literacy Council are partnering to offer free presentations on the History of Racial Integration in Pontiac Schools. The 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. presentations will be in a virtual format and preregistration is required.

“This year marks 50 years since the start of court-ordered busing of elementary students to facilitate the racial integration of Pontiac’s public schools – and 50 years since the traumatic bombing of ten school buses right as the school year was to begin,” said Mike McGuinness, Executive Director of the Oakland History Center.

“These past events have shaped our Oakland County communities, educational systems, and experiences of the adult learners we serve. They are connected to the educational inequalities we see today,” said Oakland Literacy Council Executive Director Lisa Machesky. “We are pleased to share this history with the broader community and thank Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union for supporting this event.”

“Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union strongly believes in the power of education and its ability to positively impact our communities. With that goal in mind, we are honored to serve as the presenting sponsor for the Oakland Literacy Council and Oakland History Center’s Pontiac history presentation. This program will examine an ugly moment in Pontiac’s history while illuminating the strides that have been made in the 50 years since,” said Ann Jones, MSGCU Vice President of Marketing and Business Development.

Those interested in attending can visit www.oaklandliteracy.com/pontiachistory to register or to find more information.

Lesley Tauro

12:43 05 Sep 24

I love being a English Tutor with Oakland Literacy Council on a one-on-one basis as well as for a conversation group. Through OLC, I have had the opportunity to meet so many incredible people, many who have become friends.

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23:48 04 Sep 24

I have enjoyed my ESL tutoring with Oakland Literacy Council. We received training to help us, help our students. I feel like I can reach out for additional help if needed. Not to forget, they offer outside activities, on occasion, so that the students and tutors can do some typical, but fun activities! OLC is a great organization to volunteer with.

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21:33 04 Sep 24

I've been volunteering with the OLC for about a year and a half, and it's been a great experience! I very much enjoy the tutoring sessions with the student whom they paired me with. She is a lovely person and I've learned a lot from her too. OLC makes tutoring easy for volunteers, with an easy-to-use curriculum, training, support, and social events. Highly recommend!

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19:50 04 Sep 24

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19:07 04 Sep 24

When I retired in 2020 (in the middle of the covid pandemic) I wanted to find ways to volunteer. As a former college professor, I am particularly concerned about education and literacy. Working with Oakland Literacy Council has been a wonderful experience for me. The staff at OLC (particularly Laurie Weeks) is so helpful and appreciative. I've gotten more hand-written thank you notes from Laurie in the last four years than from everyone else throughout the rest of my life combined. Volunteering for OLC lets me give back to society but enjoy retirement too. I highly recommend it.

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11:12 23 Aug 24

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11:59 22 Aug 24

I was so lucky to meet oakland literacy Council. Since OLC has been a great institute for me almost 2 years. And they helped my english improve and give me some good talking classes for learning new culture here as well. Now that I graduated from a reading program at OLC, I feel like I'm still with them. Really appreciate it.

BAIYANG LAI

19:36 15 Aug 24

In the past three years I learned English with Oakland Literacy. I met quite a few tutors in one by one tutoring and some conversation groups. Those tutors were so incredible and awesome! They really really helped me a lot in my English. My gratitude to all of them is beyond words!

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17:36 15 Aug 24

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16:39 15 Aug 24

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