Anthony “Amp” Elmore a Memphis born 5-Time World Kickboxing Champion & Memphis 1st Independent 35mm Theatrical Filmmaker is fighting ignorance White Supremacy, Racism and Black on Black Racism to create an educated Culture and an enlighten Memphis
MEMPHIS, TN, February 18, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ — Orange Mound a Historic Black Community in Memphis is part of the unknown and untold part of America’s “Afro-Indigenous History.” Memphis, Tennessee is the most populated majority Black Community in America. At the time of this posting, it’s “Black History Month in America.” Anthony “Amp” Elmore encourages everyone to read the book; “We Are Not Just Africans The Black Native Americans by Dr. Clyde Winters.”
The father of Black History Month Dr. Carter G. Woodson wrote the book “Mis-education of the Negro” in 1933. In 2025 Memphis represents a culture and history of “Mis-Educated Negroes” whereas in Memphis there exists a culture of White Supremacy, Racism and Black on Black Racism.
The Wall Street Journal once described Memphis as a “backwards city with a plantation mentality.” Unknown and untold Memphis was once the “slave capital of the world” whereas today Memphis remains the “Cotton Capital of the World” whereas Dr. Martin Luther King was “Killed in King Cotton.” Memphis has a Cotton Museum and no Black Memphis History Museum. This starkly highlights a misplaced reverence for a troubling past while neglecting the rick and pivotal contributions of Black Memphians to the city’s heritage.
Black History Month in Memphis 2025 is celebrated amidst ongoing issues of “Black on Back Racism,” rendering the celebration perfunctory. Memphis has two Black Mayors, majority Black city council and county commissioners and all Black Leaders refuse to acknowledge “Black Memphis Film History.” Anthony “Amp” Elmore wrote, produced, directed and starred in not only Memphis 1st Independent 35mm theatrical film titled “The Contemporary Gladiator” a 1988 film release, Elmore’s film is the first Kickboxing film in World Film history remains unacknowledged is an example of Black Memphis history Black on Black racial discrimination.
The Memphis Shelby County film commission and the Shelby County historical Commission installed a historical Marker in Memphis at G.E. Patterson and main street unjustly naming a 1989 White film Release titled “Mystery Train” as Memphis 1st Independent Feature. This injustice in Memphis is not White on Black Racism, but Black on Black Racism. Click here learn details via a video titled: “Memphis 1st Independent Film The Contemporary Gladiator & Racist Historical Marker.”
The City of Memphis does not have specifically a “Black Memphis History Museum” nor is there a book that “Chronicles Black Memphis History.” Anthony “Amp” Elmore a Memphis born 5 time world Kickboxing Champion and Memphis 1st Independent 35mm Theatrical Filmmaker is fighting to bring three things to the Black “Orange Mound Community in Memphis.” Those three things are “Education, Culture and Enlightenment.” Elmore a dedicated filmmaker and content creator dedicated his filmmaking skills, becoming the 1st in Memphis history to create a “Black Memphis history Museum” via a digital platform, whereas “Black Memphis History” can be taught and shared via Cinema. Click here to visit the Black Memphis History Cinema website is called BlackMemphisHistory.com.
Elmore has lived in the Memphis African/American Community of Orange Mound since purchasing his 1st house at 970 Semmes at 19 years old in 1972. Orange Mound is the 1st planned Community in America built for Blacks by Blacks. In 2016 former first lady Michelle Obama named Orange Mound “A Preserve America Community.”
It is traditionally taught in Memphis that the name Orange Mound derives from Osage Orange trees that were planted on the John Deaderick plantation. John Deaderick a White Plantation owner purchased 5000 acres of land in Shelby County, now Memphis between 1825-1830. Records show that John Deaderick brought 30 enslaved Blacks people with him from Nashville. Anthony “Amp” Elmore is taking a strong stance against the “Orange Mound Osage Tree Slave narrative,” noting that such is a teaching is White Supremacy, Racism and Black on Black Racism.
Elmore notes the name “Orange Mound” holds profound significance beyond its association with the Osage Orange Trees planted on the Deaderick Plantation. This narrative, rooted in the history of slavery, has long overshadowed the rich and untold story of the Afro-Indigenous Americans who lived on this land thousands of years before Columbus set foot in the Americas. It is a form of white supremacy and racism to teach that American history began in 1492, erasing the contributions and existence native Americans of Afro-Indigenous heritage (Black Indians) who was in America 1000’s of years before Columbus.
Elmore explains Orange Mound is more than a community; it is a testament to the legacy of the Mound Builders, the original Americans who left behind monumental earthworks that still stand today. By recognizing Orange Mound’s connection to this Afro-Indigenous heritage, we reclaim a history that predates the Atlantic Slave Trade and acknowledges the true untold origins of Black native Americans.
Elmore is leading the crusade against the white supremacy, racism, and Black-on-Black racism that perpetuate the slave narratives. Click here to see and hear the video of Anthony “Amp” Elmore he wrote, produced and performed titled: Black Man Refuse to be A Slave From Orange Mound Video.
Elmore’s efforts challenge the limited and oppressive narratives, empowering the community by rejecting the mentality of being mere descendants of slaves. Instead, we embrace our identity as the first Americans, with a heritage that connects us to the great civilizations of the past like that of Mansa Abubakari II, who traveled to America long before European explorers. Elmore notes we in Orange Mound are connected to the Nubians and the Ancient Egyptian and Black empires.
From the Black Orange Mound Community in Memphis Anthony “Amp” Elmore created the “Orange Mound to Africa Initiative.” This initiative connects the Historic Black Community of Orange Mound with African heritage, emphasizing Black History, civil rights and Dr King’s Dream It celebrates cultural connections between Orange Mound and Africa, including a focus on the Kushite history.
Anthony “Amp” Elmore stands as a trailblazer in the 21st century, being the first Black individual to actively revive Kushite history through a spiritual practice. Elmore’s creation of “Black Buddhism” is not just a cultural and religious practice—it is a reclamation of Black culture, history, and heritage. This narrative is critically important, as it reveals that Black ancient Africans, the Kushites, practiced Buddhism centuries before it was introduced to Asia. This fact has been largely ignored by scholars, educators, and religious leaders. Click here to see the Anthony “Amp” Elmore video titled: Buddha the World’s Greatest Black Hero. Elmore explains that “Black Buddhism” is unknown untold Black History that inspires “Education, Culture and Enlightenment”
The term Kushites or Cush one can read about in the Bible encompasses various groups, including Egyptians, Ethiopians, Indians, Nubians, Dalits, Sutras, Israelites, Ainu, and others. Unknown and untold is the story of the monumental Black Buddhist Bayon Temple in Cambodia, the largest man-made structures in world history, and the Great Todaji Black Buddha statue of Nara in Japan, built by the Japanese Emperor Shōmu. This is largest indoor statue in world History.
Unknown and untold is the history of the Apedemak Black Buddhist Temple in Naga, Sudan in Nubia. In 29 B.C. Present-day Sri Lanka that was once known as Ceylon, the Vinaya Pitaka was created in the Black Language of Pali, this Buddhist writings mentions the Blyeme of Nubia and is part of the Pali Canon. The Pali cannon is the largest written religious text in human history three time larger than the religious text of Judaism, Christianity and Islam combined.
This narrative, often untold and unknown, is being revived through Black Buddhism. Black Buddhism sheds light on one of the most historic and critical chapters of mankind, highlighting a rich legacy that has been neglected by mainstream historical narratives. Through the efforts of Anthony “Amp” Elmore and the “Orange Mound to Africa Initiative,” this invaluable history is being brought to the forefront, reminding us of the profound contributions of Black culture and heritage.”
Recognizing that Black icons like late Rosa Parks and Tina Turner both who embraced Buddhism, Tina even referring to herself as a Baptist-Buddhist can help African Americans feel a sense of connection and reduce intimidation when exploring or practicing what they understand about Buddhism. Black Buddhism explains that Buddhist History is Black History. Black Buddhism does not not mean race but “Black Culture.” It means the inclusion of Black History in the Buddhist Teachings.
This shift in narrative about Orange Mound is not just about changing a name; it’s about transforming the way we see ourselves and our place in history. By understanding our deeper, more complex heritage, we move from a history of oppression to one of pride and resilience. Orange Mound becomes a symbol of our strength, our ingenuity, and our rightful place as kings and queens in the American story.
Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s “The Mis-Education of the Negro” highlights how the lack of true historical education has perpetuated a cycle of dependency and inferiority. Orange Mound is a prime example of this mis-education. By reclaiming our Afro-Indigenous heritage, we correct the narrative, uplift the community, and inspire future generations to see themselves not as victims of history, but as its proud authors.
Orange Mound holds a unique and profound connection to the rich history of Nubia, Egypt and India. Herodotus, the father of history, noted the existence of two Ethiopia’s, referring to regions in India and Nubia. He observed that Meroe, the capital of Nubia, was the cradle of the Buddhist then called Gymnosophists, or naked philosophers. The symbol of the snake on the heads of Egyptians is linked to the Naga, the Shepherd Kings who ruled Egypt. Before the term Ethiopian was coined by whites, the people of this region identified as Cushites.
Black Buddhism is a teaching that includes Buddhas or Buddhism of the past beyond Shakyamuni Buddha. Buddha means wisdom whereas Thoth of Egypt was a Buddha.
In regards to Black Buddhism Hermes Trismegistus is one of he elder Buddhas before Shakyamuni Buddha.
The Proud Black Buddhist World Association, founded by Anthony “Amp” Elmore in Orange Mound, connects Black Buddhism with the heritage of Egypt, India and Nubia. This organization emphasizes that Buddhism’s roots can be traced back to Black history and culture, distinguishing it from Asian Buddhism. Shakyamuni Buddha, known as a Cushite prince, exemplifies this connection.
Through Buddhism, Orange Mound connects to the ancient legacies of Nubia and Egypt, highlighting a rich cultural heritage that predates the Atlantic Slave Trade. This understanding challenges the slave narrative and empowers the community by embracing their identity as descendants of the original Americans and ancient civilizations. Click here to see video titled: The Black Buddhist Lecture on Egypt by Anthony Amp Elmore Sr.
From the living room of his Afro-Centric home in Orange Mound—a Black community in Memphis often misrepresented with negative stories as one of the “Most Dangerous Communities in America”—emerges one of America’s most scholarly lectures. Anthony “Amp” Elmore equates his lecture on the “Black Buddhist History of Egypt” to be on par with any academic institution or scholar in the world.
Anthony “Amp” Elmore leads the crusade against white supremacy, racism, and Black-on-Black racism that perpetuate the slave narratives of Orange Mound. He asserts that the name “Orange Mound” connects African Americans to their unknown and untold Afro-Indigenous history, rather than associating them solely with the Atlantic Slave Trade. By reclaiming the narrative, Elmore shifts the community’s identity from descendants of slaves to the original Americans who can associate with ancient civilizations of Mali like that of Mansa Abubakari II.
Elmore notes it would be rare to find anyone or any lecturer who has written or produced a lecture or story regarding this topic. He explains that the importance lies in the conversation and education; discussing the topic of Ancient Egyptian history is inherently educational. However, the lecture is profoundly challenging because it confronts traditional narratives in history and Buddhism. Elmore challenges notions like those of Moses or the Exodus, emphasizing that both Ramses and Nubians were Buddhists. He also highlights that the Egyptian snake is the symbol of Buddha, “The Naga.”
Orange Mound becomes more than just a community; it represents a Black intellectual culture that challenges oppressive narratives and uplifts its residents. Elmore’s lecture is not just about disseminating knowledge; it is about transforming the way we see ourselves and our place in history. It demonstrates the power of intellectual discourse in reclaiming and celebrating Black heritage, connecting Orange Mound to the rich legacies of Nubia and Egypt. Click here to learn more visit the Orange Mound News Network.
“Orange Mound News Network (OMNN) is a leading source of local news and stories, committed to providing timely and accurate reporting to our community. Established in the heart of Orange Mound, we aim to be the voice of the people, delivering news that matters.”
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