KUMBA’YA & JINE WE @ THE 2019 SUSIE KING TAYLOR MAMI WATA RISING INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

THEME: “Slavery, Geechee Maroon Resistance, and the 33rd United States Colored Troops”

In honor of Susannah “Susie” Baker King Taylor, we hear this Ancestor calling us through the spirit of her words in Reminiscences, her 1902 memoir, saying:

“…There are many people who do not know what some of the colored women did during the war.”

As we read between the lines and listen to the voice of this once enslaved African-descended woman -human being – who escaped and marooned with other risk-takers of her time, and gave of her service for freedom, we hear her beckoning us through time and space to hear, see, know, learn, and to pass the stories and cautionary tales on to the future. We respond to her call(s) with deeper appreciations, explorations, observations, and inspirations to understand the historical and cultural contexts of her life, the physical realities that influenced her daily decisions, the spiritual transformations that allowed her to cope, and her hopes and dreams for herself, her people, and her country – the United States of America – in this modern age.

Each August, the Susie King Taylor Women’s Institute and Ecology Center pays homage to this beloved Ancestor who was born and bred and nurtured in this place, this special place in Coastal Georgia. As it coincides with her birthday (August 6, 1848) we also gather together here in her hometown to sponsor the Annual 3-Day Mami Wata Rising International Conference as an opportunity for communities to share new research and cultural presentations outside of academia in the public square. Now that you have some knowledge of Susie King Taylor, you are now a part of our community.

We invite you to join us and to immerse yourself in learning and sharing African-American/Geechee history, heritage and culture in East Liberty County – the birthplace of American heroine of freedom – Susie King Taylor.

The 2019 SKT Mami Wata Rising International Conference will include:

• Dynamic Talks (Free & Open to the Public) by Dr. Paul Pressly of the Ossabaw Island Foundation Education Alliance, Stacy Ashmore Cole of They Had Names Project, Dr. Anthony DiLorenzo of Savannah State University, Jeanne Cyriaque an Independent Cultural Heritage Expert, Hermina Glass-Hill of the Susie King Taylor Women’s Institute and Ecology Center, and Rebecca Byrd a graduate student at UNC.
• Cultural Edutainment (Free & Open to the Public) Negro Spirituals, Gospel, and Geechee stories
• Historical Tour (see the website for tour registration costs) African American Cemeteries, Praise House, Baptism Pool, & Schools
  
• Keynote Address and Reception (Tickets are $75) An Evening with Michael Thurmond, Author of “A Story Untold” & “Freedom” – Includes Rustic Geechee Dinner and Traditional Music by The Old Timey Geechee Choir of East Liberty County

We hope to see you at the Conference!

PURCHASE YOUR TICKET TODAY FOR THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS! IT’S ONLY $75

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