Youth Group ‘Children’s March’ reenactment
“We’d like to welcome all to our 27th Annual Birmingham African-American Genealogy Group, Inc. Black Heritage Fair.”
“In February of 1926 Dr. Carter G. Woodson planned the week long observance of Black History. I don’t believe he would’ve anticipated the imprint he’s left on the world from Negro History Week to Black History Month. We just want everyone who’s joined us today to help us celebrate 100 years of Black History Commemorations,” is what BAAGG, Inc., representative Ms. Dora Marrisette, told us this past weekend.
Held at Birmingham’s Library Central location, the event featured historical archives, live performances, and a meet and greet with many vendors. On display were the BAAGG group’s information and efforts as well as achievements in Alabama over the years, along with African-American art, books, and heritage-themed quilts among other items.
Starting as a membership drive, over time BAAGG has grown much bigger due to so many being interested in finding, researching, and discovering the depths of their African heritage and family trees. As many join the group they are awarded helpful information, DNA testings, and various directories to discovering the unknown in which they congregate and detail, discuss, and share with others the revelatory understanding of their historical findings.
BAAGG founder, Ms. Josephine Martin spoke with us, saying, “We believe this concept of discovering one’s roots is something to be proud of. We’ve even had members who’ve discovered not only their ancestral family member’s identities but also the slave owner’s families from whence they might’ve worked and labored for, as some have even discovered their Native American (Indian) heritage. We meet every third Saturday of each month where we teach people how to start the process of ancestral researching. I discovered once I started doing my personal research I’d get to a point where I couldn’t go further and I figured if I was having such an issue others were too, so I wanted to help others fill those hindering gaps.”
With much information out there, the BAAGG Genealogy Group is fulfilling the dreams of many simply by being a helping hand to those interested in their personal origins.
BAAGG Group founders and members pose
Throughout the fair Sherelle Johnson performed a poetry set titled “Little Black Child” as the Youth a’Cappella Gospel Choir shared renditions of “Come By Here” and “Hold On” followed by Ron Jefferson conducting the tributary portion with ‘Last Man Standing’. Mr. Gregory Wilson, M.ED, also spoke byway of the “Living Beyond the Door of No Return” analytical study that engaged many of the audience members.
Others also spoke as the day commemorated the efforts of Josephine Martin and Mary Jones-Fitts 27 years ago that have bloomed into much more for so many passionate individuals searching for historical references and identity within the complex tapestry that we all come from.
For further information visit baaggroupinc.org or visit Facebook @ BirminghamAfricanAmericanGenealogyGroup.
Don’t miss out on discovering your roots, for it could be enlightening.
