The mountain community of Julian revealed its rich African-American heritage to more than 50 Project Ujima family members during a recent tour lead by Prof. Chuck Ambers, curator of Old Town's Casa del Rey Moro African Museum.
The visit was part of Project Ujima, San Diego Unified's dynamic program devoted entirely to engaging African-American families in reaching that all-important goal: student academic success. Ambers met the visitors dressed as Fred Coleman, the African-American pioneer who discovered gold in 1869 in what's now known as Coleman Creek.
In character as Fred Coleman, Prof. Ambers guided families on a tour of the community, showing them the Black roots of key landmarks. The tour included visits to the Pioneer Museum, Pioneer Cemetery and The Julian Hotel.
The Julian Hotel was originally named Hotel Robinson and was built, own and operated by Black pioneers Albert and Margaret Robinson.
Project Ujima parent, Phillip Liburd, who was accompanied by his son Marcus, described the day as an “uplifting experience” and he was glad he could share the day with his son and other families. Liburd added that field trip “participants of all ethnic backgrounds were intrigued and inspired by what they were learning.”
Project Ujima is a program of the Parent Outreach and Engagement Department of the San Diego Unified School District and is located at the Harold J. Ballard Parent Center. Project Ujima was established in July 2009, and is designed to strengthen existing resources within African-American families in San Diego Unified School District Title I schools. Project Ujima provides positive and empowering workshops, resources and networks that support African-American families seeking to improve the academic, social, and behavioral environment within the family and community.
All services are free and open to parents and families of all ethnicities, with particular attention to African-American families.
The arts and culture components of Project Ujima are made possible through a grant from the Target Foundation. The grant enables Project Ujima to augment its workshop offerings to parents and families with educational excursions and experiences that celebrate arts and culture and the immense contributions of African-Americans.
For more information on the Harold J. Ballard Parent Center Project Ujima, contact Elneda Shannon, program manager, at (619) 293-4431.
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