AFRICATOWN’s Lantern Walk cements it’s place in Africatown Folklore
About five years ago, 6 community organizations started annual events that have developed into National & International Events and have attracted a loyal following on an annual basis. They are:
1. During Black History Month, ” A 3 day Black History Festival” sponsored by ALL THINGS AFRICATOWN
2. A 2 day “Africatown Cultural Festival” sponsored by The Africatown Heritage House Museum
3. The “Re-enactment of The Landing of The Clotilda” sponsored by The Clotilda Descendants Association
4. ” The Africatown Bridge Run & Walk” sponsored by The Africatown Community Development Association
5. “Africatown Community Day” sponsored by Africatown Teach & Outreach, Inc.
6. ” The Africatown Lantern Walk” sponsored by M.C.T.S. Alumni Association
In addition to the 6 national events listed above, there are also several events that are locally or regionally centered that are very popular. They are:
1. “Kids Kite Day” – Sponsored by The M.C.T.S. Alumni Association
2. “Africatown Swim Program” – Sponsored by The Africatown Heritage Preservation Foundation (Over 300 swimmers certified in 3 years)
3. “Breakfast With Santa” Sponsored by Africatown-C.H.E.S.S.
4. Mobile County Training School’s “All Class Reunion”
This year’s Lantern Walk Weekend begin with a Brunch at The Robert Hope Community Center where keynote speaker Father Victor Ingalls, Priest at Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church gave an inspiring talk about today’s “Hero’s of Africatown”. The Lantern Walk began later in the evening with participants walking from the school to The Plateau Cemetery, carrying lanterns, where homage was given to the enslaved Africans from The Clotilda that are buried there. A Sunrise Service was conducted at the Cemetery on Sunday Morning. A special salute goes out to Dr. Linda Mann and her students from Columbia University as she returns every year with a bus load of students to help sponsor and participate in the event.
Dr. Major Joe Womack USMCR(ret)
Executive Director of africatown-chess.org
251-404-9558 & jnwomack1@yahoo.com