In June 1917, 1,250 men volunteered to become the first African Americans to receive training and begin military service in World War I. Many hoped that they would be rewarded with equal rights at the end of the war. Adam Wilson, the director of the University of Tennessee at Martin online and author of “African American Army Officers of World War I,” shares the difficult story of the impact of race in America through an exploration of these brave men, some of whom became college graduates, business leaders, doctors, lawyers, ministers and non-commissioned officers. Many eventually became leaders in the civil rights movement of the 1950s. Wilson’s storytelling during this episode provides a much-needed reminder of a part of history that is often forgotten.

And later, learn the truth about snakes in Tennessee as Kacey takes us behind-the-scenes at Discovery Park.