Diane Weems Ligon

Prince George's County African American Teen Club Queens appeared at an annual event in 1959. Lakeland’s queen was Barbara Jean Walls, far left. The Teen Club met every Friday night at Lakeland Junior High School’s multipurpose room. Chaperones included Lucille Sharps and Agnes Randall, ladies who demanded strict decorum. Diane Weems Ligon recalls the chaperones’ insistence on respectable dancing between girls and boys: “They had to see air between us.” The program was directed by Clement Martin, a shop teacher at Lakeland Junior High School.

Many of the young people in the community used public transportation to travel to the District of Columbia to study piano under David Hines. For several years, the students presented a fundraising recital at Embry A.M.E. Church. This program on June 27, 1957, included, left to right, (first row) Reginald Keys, Rosetta Brooks, Cynthia Hines, Phyllis Smith, DeWana Gray, and Karl Alexander; (second row) Janet Randall, Jacqueline Randall, Barbara Brown, Diane Weems, and Frances Mason.

Cast photo is found in collection

Second in a series of two images showing team for Lakeland: African Americans in College Park book project. Standing are Christine Gray Matthews, Diane Weems Ligon, James Edwards, III seated are Delphine Gross, Avis Matthews and Violetta Sharps Jones

The community of Lakeland and its members want to preserve its history by and through LHP. The project members plan to display artifacts from collections every year and preserve the past.

One of two photos showing the groups of people who produced the book, Lakeland: African Americans in College Park standing are left to right Jean Gray Matthews, Diane Weems Ligon, Maxine Gross and James Edwards Seated are left to right Delphine Gross, Avis Matthews and Violetta Sharps Jones

At Weems home on Pierce Ave. Dianne Weems and Donald Weems were the teens of the household

The Diamondback publishes a piece on urban renewal in the city of Lakeland. It highlight's the commitment of Lakeland residents to preserving the neighborhood.

Cover proof for publication with Arcadia Press, 0229

While a student at Howard University Diane took part in a study abroad experience in India

cropped image of school picture 1946-47 school year

The Christmas season served as portrait-taking time for Diane Weems and her younger brother, Donald Weems (Kuwasi Balagoon). This picture was taken around 1950 in the living room of the family home on Navahoe Street.