“No matter how shameful, these are part of American history,” says Davis. Along with many others, he is planning on opening a museum someday. He warned me, he said, Daryl, do not go to Roger Kelly's house. Today, Kelly is no longer a member of the KKK, and Davis has Kelly’s Klan robe in his possession. Daryl Davis is a boogie-woogie pianist who's played with Bill Clinton, Bruce Hornsby and Chuck Berry. Davis has received the Elliott-Black and MLK awards as well as numerous other local and national awards for his work in race relations and is often sought by media outlets as a consultant on the KKK and race relations. Davis said slowly, There is no KKK in Maryland now. As a Black man, most people would think he’s insane for trying to meet with KKK memberslet alone the. With his sudden departure, the KKK organization in Maryland collapsed. He is even the godfather of former Klan Imperial Wizard Roger Kelly’s granddaughter. I discovered Daryl Davis after I heard his interview on the Joe Rogan podcast where he discusses the first time he met the Imperial Wizard (the highest-ranking Klan leader, in Klan speak) of the Maryland chapter of the KKK, Roger Kelly. Ultimately, Roger Kelly ascended to the position of Imperial Wizard (State Leader) and suddenly quit. The audience was able to watch this report in which Kelly says he believes in the “separation of races.” He is even the godfather of former Klan Imperial Wizard Roger Kelly’s granddaughter. Davis interviewed Kelly and the two men realized that they respected each other. It was through interviewing members of the KKK for this book that Davis gained friendships with some of the members.ĭavis has developed some notoriety from his book and from these unexpected friendships.ĭavis was featured on CNN Sunday Morning, where they followed him to a Klan rally. This story highlighted his relationship with Roger Kelley who was an official with the KKK. “Ignorance breeds fear fear, if you don’t check it becomes hatred hatred brings destruction,” says Davis.ĭavis is a professional musician, who has also written a book titled Klandestined Relationships. Because love conquers hate.To read The Globe’s preview of the event, click here.Ībout 60 students were in attendance for the talk.ĭavis delivered a powerful message to the audience. His efforts to fight racism, in which, as an African American, he has engaged with members of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), have convinced a number of Klansmen to leave and denounce the KKK. In total, Davis has seen over 200 klan members walk away from the KKK and hand over their robes and hoods to Daryl. Daryl Davis (born March 26, 1958) is an American R&B and blues musician and activist. So much so, he handed his hood and robe to Daryl Davis. In the end, Kelly denounced his ties to the KKK. This lead to the two realizing they had far more in common than not. And eventually, Kelly started listening to him. Kelly even made Davis godfather to his child. in Klan speak) of the Maryland chapter of the KKK, Roger Kelly. He didn’t hate Kelly because Kelly hated him. TIL That Daryl Davis, an African American musician, is a close friends with KKK Imperial Wizard Roger Kelly. Daryl Davis is a Black man who has friends in the Ku Klux Klan. He wanted to interview Roger Kelly, Maryland’s Grand Dragon at the time and who later became Imperial. Eight years later, Davis decided to begin work on a book about the KKK and called his friend for help. Here, hes holding Roger Kellys robe and hood. Most importantly, Davis cultivated an atmosphere of listening. They became friends, with the man coming to see Davis’ band whenever they played at the lounge. Daryl Davis is responsible for over 200 KKK members leaving the Klan. Davis even went as far attending Klan rallies as a guest of Kelly. They welcomed each other into their homes. Roger Kelly, Davis concealed his race before the interview. He spent years building trust between them and laying the foundation of what became a friendship. Daryl Davis (born March 26, 1958) is an American R&B and blues musician and activist. He went out of his way to befriend KKK Grand wizard, Roger Kelly. However, his true claim to fame, the legacy he has forged came in a very different way. Daryl Davis, noted American R&B and blues musician, author, actor and bandleader, recently taught a Rock ‘n’ Roll, Race, and Society course at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Towson University. Daryl Davis was once an aspiring and successful musician.
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