Columbia – A historic marker unveiling will take place at the home of the late Rev. I. DeQuincey Newman (1911-1985) Saturday, June 30, at 2 p.m. at 2210 Chappelle Street. A conversation about the late civil rightsleader’s life will follow the marker’s unveiling at 2:30 p.m. at I. DeQuincey Newman United Methodist, 7801Wilson Boulevard. The public is invited.

Newman, credited with the relatively peaceful integration of South Carolina, was the first African-American senator since Reconstruction.

The SC United Methodist Advocate, along with Newman’s family began the project two years ago. They were joined by the two UM churches Newman founded at his home, I. DeQuincey Newman and FrancisBurns, as well as other UMC leaders.

On Oct. 25, 1983, Newman was elected to the state legislature from Richland, Chester and Fairfield Counties, the first African American in the Senate since 1887.

Newman helped to organize the Orangeburg branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1943. He participated in founding the Progressive Democratic Party in the 1940s and was a delegate to several national Democratic conventions. Newman played a major role in integrating two racially divided UM conferences in the 1970s.

Senator Newman had a great concern for the conditions of rural South Carolinians and was chair of the Governor’s Council on Rural Development. He also was assistant to the commissioner of the state Department of Social Services and a Department of Health and Environmental Control board member.