As the nu moon ushered us into a new month, I hosted another powerful drum circle at the Historic Beach Institute. It was an honor to have my mother join me in addition to nu and returning guests. We played, grooved, and focused on gratitude. We poured libations for those who have come before us and we casted prayers for those yet to come. It was such a fulfilling evening and we were so in the moment that I do not think one photo was taken. To add to the loveliness, this month marks two years since I started the sound healing/spoken word drum circles within this historic landmark.
On Friday, as I walked the halls of the Institute I focused on those original hard wood floors and reflected on just how many dear souls took the same path. Founded in 1865 at the dawn of the Reconstruction Era, The Beach Institute is described as the first official school for African-Americans in Savannah, GA.
I consider it an honor to host monthly experiences in such a sacred space. As a woman who has been blessed by my pursuit of education, I pay homage to the strides many ancestors had to take so that I could. One woman in particular has had my attention for a few years now. I remember when my mother and I first visited the Beach Institute, her photo stood out amongst the others in the main gallery.
Susie Baker King Taylor was a mighty woman. Amongst her amazingness, she was the first Black educator to teach openly in a school for formerly enslaved African Americans in Georgia and she was the only African American woman to publish a memoir of her experiences with the 33d United States Colored Troops during the civil war. I will add that she is still shining and making herstory from the other side of eternity as this weekend she became the first black woman to have a square named in her honor here in Savannah, Georgia’s first city.
My mother and I attended the official dedication and unveiling ceremony which was well attended by people of all kinds, cultures, and ages. It warmed my heart to hear the opening song sang by students from Susie King Taylor Community School - students with which I get the honor of hosting drum circles with monthly. Each speaker including Patt Gunn, Hermina Glass Hill, Mayor Van Johnson, Dr. Bernice Berry, Donald Lovette, and Rev. Ben Martin offered powerful messages to commemorate the moment.
The Syncronicity
Last summer, I was asked to come aboard the team of teachers to share my facilitation of drumming circles with the students of Susie King Taylor Community School. Two months later on my birthday, it was announced that Mrs. Taylor’s name had been selected for the formerly called Calhoun Square. As someone who values health, education and the sweetness of serendipity, it may be quite obvious that I feel a special connection with Susie King Taylor. Reading her memoir sends me into deep reflection and reverence for the journey she walked and the lives she touched. She made a huge impact on this side of eternity by courageously and consistently sharing the knowledge many women risked their lives to grant her.
Mrs. Taylor worked night and day to educate, aid and care for others not for applause or public recognition but because that is what she felt called to do. Witnessing her name claim a space once named after a proud supporter of slavery, shows me that no matter how much time may pass, in this journey we call life, we get what we give - a mantra I share often with the students of SKTCS. Susie Baker King Taylor gave care, support, aid and love to her community and in return on Saturday February 10th 2024 in the best city in the world, I joined a crowd of over 300 supporters to return the favor.
Mrs. Taylor learned to read and write secretly and illegally most times I’m sure by candlelight, thankhs to her mighty grandmother who knew the importance of sewing such a seed into her granddaughter by any means necessary, her life included. What a gift it was to experience her square dedication standing beside the mighty woman who is my mother. The one who taught me most of what I know about life including how to read and write.
It is my humble prayer that this moment becomes one of many herstoric moments I am afforded to witness while I am on this side of eternity.
Thankh you Susie Baker King Taylor
Ancestress Susie Baker King Taylor,
Thankh you for continuing to inspire, educate and guide our community to heal and realize that unity is the remedy. In the spirit of Sankofa, may we look back and learn from the bricks you have laid, continue to build upon your life offerings, and make mighty strides upward and onward one breath, word and step at a time.
