Conception

There are a few theories on how Oakwood was conceived. Two of the most popular include 1) the successful evangelistic work of Charles M. Kinny, the first Black man to be ordained into SDA ministry; and 2) the evangelistic and educational work of James Edson White who sailed up and down the Mississippi River on The Morning Star, a steamer that Edson (as James was fondly known) built. Edson was inspired by his mother's (Ellen G. White) counsel in "An Appeal for the Southern Field (1895) and "Duty of Man to his Fellowmen" (1895).

In January 1896, George Butler, then president of the General Conference of SDAs, stated that his conception of a school in the South for Blacks, was similiar in nature to the practical educational ventures of Tuskegee and Hampton.

James Edson White, credited with being one of the co-founders.

Replica of Morning Star boat and the original star from the Morning Star -- housed in the Clara Peterson Rock Museum.

The Morning Star -- You can see some students aboard the ship.

If you look at this picture closely, you can see Elder Charles M. Kinny (in the front row - to the right) and Willim H. Green, 1st Black Secretary of the Negro Department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists