rv(Clarksdale, Miss.) — Students at Coahoma Community College are transforming academic research into meaningful community impact through their Honors in Action project, “Resilience in Action: Students Reviving the Stories of Riverside,” an initiative that explores African American resilience and preserves the legacy of one of Clarksdale’s most significant historic landmarks.

The project, developed through the college’s Phi Theta Kappa honor society, aligns with the national honors study topic theme, “Perspectives Shape Stories.” Through credible research and community engagement, students examined how personal experiences and local historic sites shape the understanding of African American perseverance in the Mississippi Delta.

Using Coahoma’s library databases and archival resources, students analyzed historical documents, interviews, audio recordings, and multimedia sources that highlight Black resilience in Clarksdale. To gain contemporary insight, the chapter also conducted an interview with Clarksdale Mayor Orlando Paden, the city’s third African American mayor, who shared his perspective on the strength and progress of the community.

During their research, students were drawn to the historic Riverside Hotel, a powerful symbol of survival and determination. Originally established as the only hospital available to African Americans in Clarksdale during segregation, the facility later became a two-story hotel and safe haven for Black travelers and musicians listed in the Negro Motorist Green Book. Today, the Riverside remains one of the few surviving Green Book sites in the country and has been preserved by the Ratliff family for four generations.

As students learned that the Riverside Hotel was preparing to reopen as an Interpretive Center, they identified a key community need: many local residents were unfamiliar with the building’s full historical significance. In response, the chapter launched a community awareness initiative designed to educate the public and honor the stories connected to the site.

Project actions included:

  • Producing a documentary-style video highlighting the voices and experiences connected to the Riverside Hotel

  • Interviewing members of the Ratliff family and individuals involved in the hotel’s preservation

  • Assisting with event coordination during the grand opening of the Riverside Hotel Interpretive Center

  • Greeting guests, managing materials, supporting event logistics, and distributing community surveys

Students collaborated with several partners, including the Riverside Hotel African American Historic Preservation Center, the Ratliff family, preservation advocates, the City of Clarksdale, and Coahoma Community College’s Office of Research, Assessment, and Strategic Initiatives. These collaborations provided firsthand perspectives that deepened students’ understanding of the hotel’s role as both a historical landmark and a symbol of community strength.lmk

Survey results collected during the grand opening revealed that many attendees were only “somewhat familiar” or “not very familiar” with the Riverside Hotel’s full history prior to the event. After engaging with the students’ project and learning more about the site, participants reported a stronger understanding of its significance and expressed increased interest in supporting preservation efforts, attending future events, and sharing the story with others.

In addition to increasing public awareness, the project had a lasting impact on student participants. Students strengthened their research and analytical skills, conducted scholarly investigations using credible sources, engaged directly with community leaders and residents, and developed leadership experience through service and public history work. Hearing personal stories from individuals connected to the Riverside also provided a deeper appreciation for the role the hotel has played in shaping the identity of Clarksdale’s African American community.

More than a historic building, the Riverside Hotel represents resilience, entrepreneurship, cultural expression, and the determination to create opportunity despite limited resources and systemic barriers. Through their Honors in Action project, Coahoma students have helped ensure that these stories are preserved, shared, and used to inspire future generations.

This project reflects Coahoma Community College’s commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and the preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the Mississippi Delta.