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Welcome to
the Unified Committee for Afro-American
Contributions
Celebrating the History & Folkways of African Americans in St. Mary’s
County, Maryland
In 1994, at a dance during Black History Month, Elmer Brown and some others began
talking about all the things that had happened within the black community in St. Mary’s County history. How there
was no recognition of what blacks had done and contributed to the county over the years. Mr. Brown said, “Let’s put up a monument.”
The idea resonated and
the Unified Committee for Afro-Americans
(UCAC) was born.
In addition to the monument honoring and
celebrating the contributions of African
Americans, the committee took on another
crucial task: recording the oral
histories of its oldest black residents.
There is much more to the history and culture of
African Americans in St. Mary's County
than most residents might realize.
Witnesses to portions of that history,
by way of oral histories, link the present day county
vividly with its past. Janice Walthour and Merideth Taylor co-chaired
the original Oral History Committee.
"At the time, you made out with what
you had because you didn't realize
there was something better that you
were supposed to have." ~ Clarence
Smith
 Examining
the history of African-American life in
St. Mary's County is a little like
examining the lines etched deeply into a
person's face or hands: much is
suggested, but how much is really known
without serious probing, research, and
questioning?
The
Unified Committee for Afro-American
Contributions (UCAC), has taken
on the task of ensuring that these
glimpses are not forgotten. That
they are fleshed out, put in context,
and brought to the attention of the
community for its own examination,
enjoyment, and education.
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