Juneteenth

A Black mother's love transcends boundaries, holding the family together through trials and triumphs. It is her love, pain and sacrifice that pave the path for her children's success, providing balance and stability amidst life's storms. Like the vessels through which all life passes, Black women are the essence of Black culture’s memory and storytelling, preserving the rich mosaic of African culture and heritage.

Storytelling, deeply rooted in African tradition, remains a vital thread woven into the fabric of Black American communities. Drawing from the ancient lineage of Griots, or storytellers, Black women have carried forth the ancestral wisdom, embodying the faces and voices of generations past.

In the narratives they weave, Black women encapsulate the essence of their existence—their joys, sorrows, struggles, and triumphs. Black women serve as the modern-day Griots, safeguarding the voice and presence of Black history in America.

Join us in honoring the eternal flame of Black motherhood and the transformative power of storytelling. Together, let us celebrate the resilience, wisdom, and indomitable spirit of Black women—the neo-griots who illuminate the path forward with their stories of strength and grace.

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In the mosaic of Black history, the narrative thread is vibrant, compelling, and profound, often carried on the soft yet strong backs of Black women. Denied the quill and parchment of formal education, they turned to the art of storytelling, an act of resilience and ingenuity, ensuring that the stories of their people would travel through time without the pages they were denied.

The tradition of storytelling, an inheritance from the Griots of Africa, is not simply a matter of passing down tales; it is the safeguarding of a legacy that was barred from libraries and schools. It is the celebration of a history that refused to be forgotten, one that found its voice in the richness of oral tradition.

Here, we recognize and exalt the role of Black mothers, who have been the cornerstone of this legacy. In their words and through their love, they've stitched together generations, each story a patch in the quilt of Black existence. Their tenacity and strength have been the cradle for dreams and the sanctuary from a world that too often turned a cold shoulder.

Here at Colonial Williamsburg, where every story is a seed that grows roots and branches into future learning, we embrace the importance of these narratives. We stand in awe of the Black mothers—our modern Griots—who, in the sanctity of their homes and communities, have wielded stories as instruments of power and identity, of justice and equity. Their voices resonate with the wisdom of the ages and the hope of generations yet to speak.

Join us in lauding the luminous spirit of Black motherhood and the sacred practice of storytelling. Let us honor the resilience and boundless wisdom of Black women, who, with each word and memory, cast light on the path ahead, reminding us that our stories are our strength, our heritage our guide.

We are grateful for the mothers who have been the vessels of this living history. In their honor, we continue to craft a space where these voices are not just heard but revered, where the narratives they carry are not just stories but foundations upon which we build a future that truly sees and uplifts every one of us.