letters

George Rhynes (229-251-8645) 25 February
2004
5004 Oak Drive
Valdosta, Georgia 31605

Dear Editor

The Celebration of African American History Month at Valdosta State
University Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and Multicultural Affairs
presented SANKOFA. This African American Cultural Museum on Wheels
with Angela Jennings, Curator/Director of Denmark, South Carolina, an
educational experience for all that attended.

The Curator Angela Jennings was extremely knowledgeable of African
American History. She called the exhibit, “A journey from Africa to modern
day inventions and everything in between.”

Among her displays were models of Black inventions such as: the
Cellular Phone, by Henry Simpson, The Lawn Mower, by John Albert Burn, Grand
Father Clock, (first striking wood clock) by Benjamin Banneker,
Switching Device for Railways, by William and Burr, Telephone System and
Apparatus, by Granville T. Woods, Golf-Tee, by George F. Grant, Kitchen
Table, H.A. Jackson, Refrigerated Trucks, F.M. Jones, Spark Plug, Edmond
Berger, Riding Saddle, William S. Cambell, Door Knob, O. Dorsey, Tunnel
Construction for Electric Railways, Gramille T. Woods, and Guitar, Robert
F. Flemings Jr., to mention a few.

Also on display were lynchings of Blacks, slave ships, magazines,
historical documents and quotes from Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Banneker
for his accomplishments, and many other never before seen items in this
area.

The Curator told a story to a group of children brought over by Joseph
Matchett of the Valdosta Boys Club on Tombs Street, who heard about he
exhibit on WJEM Radio Station. She told the children about an elderly
Black man whose eyes had been put out because the plantation owner
discovered he was trying to learn how to read. She told the students that
there was no reason why they should not be on the honor roll.

Joseph Matchett said: “Every student in Lowndes County both Black and
White should have been at this exhibit.”

Ms Jennings when asked why she started the Museum on Wheels---she
replied, “When I realized that my honor student nephew knew little about the
history of Africa she established SANKOFA in 1995.”

Now less than a decade later, her museum on wheels is considered to be
one of the foremost collections of African American History readily
available in this country today.

As SANKOFA’s Curator, Ms Jennings has traveled throughout the United
States the U.S. Virgin Island, West Africa, and Europe to amass a
collection of art, collectibles and memorabilia that rivals many traditional
museums.

While here in Valdosta her “Museum on Wheels,” exhibited the testament
to the vast contributions that African Americans have made to this
country and the world.

The Ghanaian term, SANKOFA, tells us to “use the wisdom of the pass to
build the future.” Angela Jennings and her Museum on Wheels epitomize
the meaning of the term by educating, enlightening and empowering young
and old alike with living history.

The Valdosta community is indeed grateful to Angela Jennings, Curator,
Dr. Beverly Richardson-Blake, Assistant Director, Office of Equal
Opportunity Programs and Multicultural Office, James E. Rice, Administrative
coordinator, and a special thanks to Valdosta State University. A job
well done, and very much needed. Thanks!

George Rhynes
A concerned citizens and brother of humanity!