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Woodlawn Cemetery Conference Brings Light to Preservation Efforts

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Woodlawn Cemetery was established after death records were implemented, allowing for records to be made on who resides in the cemetery. Many of these records are currently stored in the Howard University Moorland-Spingarn Research Center. Some of the notable figures with burials at Woodlawn Cemetery that Fager highlighted include: Clement G. Morgan, one of the NAACP’s founders, and the nephew and grandson of Martha Washington, William Custis Costin.
The post Woodlawn Cemetery Conference Brings Light to Preservation Efforts first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

9 months ago

March 6, 2024

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By Sabreen Dawud | Special to the AFRO

The Woodlawn Cemetery Perpetual Care Association Board of Directors partnered with the Woodlawn Collaborative Project to host the virtual Woodlawn Cemetery Conference on Feb. 18.

A burial land established on May 13, 1895 in Washington, D.C., Woodlawn Cemetery is 22.5 acres of African American history. The land consists of 36,000 burials, with almost all of them being of Black descent.

The Woodlawn Descendants Conference is aimed at uniting descendants of people who were laid to rest at the Woodlawn Cemetery. Organizers encouraged living family members to share the legacies of their loved ones. Attendees were also given opportunities to ask questions about the cemetery grounds and learn more about Woodlawn Cemetery’s history.

Lawrence Davin, a liaison for the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services in Ward 7, shared the historical relevance of the cemetery during his introduction at the conference.

“I would pass it every day not knowing who was laid to rest on those sacred grounds. People that I learned about in college: John Mercer Langston, who helped stand up Howard Law School, or Blanche Bruce, our first Black Senator to serve a full term,” Davin shared.

“These are the folks that our children and our community should be familiar with. These are the folks that our children should learn about and our community should learn about so we have a better idea of who we are and where we come from.”

The conference was anchored by Nicole Jordan, president of the Washington, D.C. Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, shared that the Woodlawn Collaborative Project involves 17 chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

The event consisted of words from several speakers, such as Lawrence Davin, Omar Eaton-Martínez, the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s senior vice president for Historic Sites, and primary speaker Lisa Fager, executive director for the Black Georgetown Foundation.

Raven L. Hill, president of the Xi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, moderated the event’s question-and-answer segment.

Fager presented a slideshow detailing the historical significance of Washington, D.C.’s four historically Black cemeteries. She highlighted Woodlawn Cemetery as the largest historically Black cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Fager noted that Woodlawn Cemetery was established after death records were implemented, allowing for records to be made on who resides in the cemetery. Many of these records are currently stored in the Howard University Moorland-Spingarn Research Center. Some of the notable figures with burials at Woodlawn Cemetery that Fager highlighted include: Clement G. Morgan, one of the NAACP’s founders, and the nephew and grandson of Martha Washington, William Custis Costin.

The event concluded with closing words from Jordan who emphasized the passion behind the cemetery’s historical grounds.

“As you can see, there is passion that is here from those volunteers who are people working on this issue because of the commitment to the community, the commitment to our history, and this is something we should do. So, when you walk away from here thinking about what I can do, it is volunteering, it’s to get the word out,” Jordan said. “The awareness that this issue is happening throughout the country and that we need to make sure that we are preserving the spaces where our history lies.”

For more information on Woodlawn Cemetery, visit their website woodlawndc.org.

The post Woodlawn Cemetery Conference brings light to preservation efforts appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The post Woodlawn Cemetery Conference Brings Light to Preservation Efforts first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org