Interviewer
Dr. George Garrison
Files
Abstract
This interview was conducted by Dr. George Garrison with Reverend William P. Diggs as part of his History of Emmett Scott High School and Rock Hill, South Carolina. Emmett Scott High School was the segregated African American high school named after Emmett J. Scott, a former aid to Booker T. Washington and President Woodrow Wilson. The school opened in 1920 and closed in 1970 with the integration of Rock Hill School District. Many Emmett Scott students went on to Friendship College. Reverend Diggs worked at Friendship and was involved in the Civil Rights Movement in Rock Hill. Reverend Diggs discusses his experiences growing up as well as his connection to Friendship College both personally as his grandfather Mansel P. Hall founded Friendship as well as professionally. He also discusses his work with support of the Civil Rights movement both in Friendship College and Rock Hill in general. Reverend Diggs also discusses some of the famous Civil Rights activists that he has met and worked with such as Martin Luther King Jr, and Benjamin Mays.
“Rev. Dr. William P. Diggs[1]
A leader in the church and community, the Rev. Dr. William P. Diggs contributed decades of his life for the betterment of the lives of South Carolinians. He was born in Columbia, South Carolina in 1926 and reared in Rock Hill. He earned several degrees: a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College; a Master of Arts in Sociology from Atlanta University; a Master of Divinity from Colgate-Rochester Divinity School; and a Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago.
He helped organize South Carolina’s first sit-in demonstrations, held Feb. 12, 1960 in Rock Hill, primarily involving students from Friendship Junior College. As pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Florence, SC for more than fifty years, he facilitated: the purchase of additional property; establishment of a highly acclaimed preschool ministry; a federally operated credit union; and purchase of commercial property that includes barber shops, beauty salons and a restaurant.
In addition, he has contributed his time and expertise to many institutions and organizations. He served as an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Friendship, Benedict and Morris colleges for an aggregate of twenty-four years. Diggs has served as board member of Friendship, Benedict and Morris colleges; Morehouse School of Religion; the Interdenominational Theological Center; Nannie Helen Burroughs School; the Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity; and the Florence Mayor’s Human Relations Committee. He has also served as president of the Florence Branch of the NAACP.
He is a recipient of numerous awards and honors including: the Order of the Palmetto; SC Black Hall of Fame; The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce “Building the Bridges Humanitarian Award”; and seven honorary degrees.
Diggs retired from the pastorate in December 2013. He has been married to Clotilda Daniels Diggs for 62 years, and the couple has two adult children — Mary Lynne and William, Jr. (Lennette). They have one grandson, William II.”
Dr. Diggs dedicated his life and work to the betterment of lives for South Carolinians. Dr. Diggs helped organize the first sit-in demonstrations in South Carolina, February 12, 1960, primarily involving Friendship Junior College students which predated the Friendship Nine sit-in the following year.
[1] South Carolina African American: https://scafricanamerican.com/honorees/rev-dr-william-p-diggs/
Publication Date
7-10-2012
Unique Identifier
OH 687
Format
MP3; WAV;
Length
01:08:59
Recommended Citation
Diggs, William P. and Civil Rights, "Interview with Rev. Dr. William P. Diggs - OH 687" (2012). Winthrop University Oral History Program. OH 687.
https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/oralhistoryprogram/574
