By C. Sade Turnipseed, PhD | Part 2 of 3
Echoes from the Smiling Coast
Now in the second phase of our journey to the “Smiling Coast” of Africa—The Gambia—the reportage is nothing short of highly favorable. Every strategic objective has been met, and our meeting goals have yielded profoundly pleasing results.
On July 1st, our delegation met with the “Lord Mayor of Banjul,” Roheyatou Lowe. Mayor Lowe enthusiastically embraced the concept of establishing a Sister City relationship with Greenville, Mississippi, readily preparing an official response of acceptance and agreement in alignment with Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons’ proposal. To initiate this historic partnership, Mayor Lowe suggested convening a virtual joint meeting for formal introductions and strategic planning.
Among the major initiatives discussed and preliminarily agreed upon is the development of a dynamic series of cultural exchange programs. Foremost among these projects is a collaborative effort to produce and host an African adaptation of a Delta Blues and Heritage Festival.
To be hosted in The Gambia, the festival is aptly titled “We Are One.” This landmark cultural event will honor two legendary musical icons:
- Frankie Beverly (representing the American Delta tradition)
- Ali Farka Touré (representing the African continent)
Planning details for this remarkable, cross-continental concept are actively in progress. Additionally, discussions advanced regarding the placement of a historical marker in The Gambia dedicated to the “Cotton Pickers of America,” honoring the memory of those who were enslaved in the Gambian region and throughout other parts of West Africa.
Perhaps the most impactful dialogue held with Mayor Lowe centered around the “Reclaiming of Phillis Wheatley” project. This initiative forms the core of my current research in The Gambia, which seeks to reclaim the true African genius and Senegambian origins of the Mother of African American literature.
Phillis Wheatley (1753–1784) was captured and enslaved at the tender age of seven. While much of her specific origin story remains obscured by history, it is well-established that she emerged from the Senegambian region. Her current name was bestowed upon her by captors, derived directly from the slave ship “The Phillis” that transported her to America.
In support of this mission, Mayor Lowe generously offered the Banjul City Hall grounds as a venue for our initiatives. She further endorsed the effort to find a more appropriate, authentic African name as an alternative to “Phillis,” as well as the eventual placement of a monument in the specific village where Wheatley most likely cultivated her intuitive genius.
“A soul touched by divine brilliance, she turned stolen breath into sacred words and proved that spirit cannot be enslaved. Her poetry still whispers freedom, faith, and truth across time. May she rest in eternal peace, knowing her light never dimmed… it became legacy.”
—Serene Sadey Barlettle
Our initiatives received further critical institutional support from **Dr. Hasum Ceesay**, a longtime lecturer at the University of The Gambia and Director of the African Center for Arts and Culture for The Gambia.
During our consultations, Dr. Ceesay agreed to grant our team comprehensive access to the National Archives, alongside dedicated office space to facilitate deep-dive research into Wheatley’s precise origins, enslavement, and potential transport records.
Furthermore, Dr. Ceesay committed to personally guiding our delegation on a historical tour of the River Gambia—the *”Tenda”*—to examine the tragic sites where enslaved Africans were held captive before their forced transport to the Western world.
The momentum continued during a vital strategic meeting at the **University of The Gambia (UOG)**. The session focused on finalizing the details of the Blues Heritage Festival, advancing the Cotton Monument project, and pioneering the introduction of a new academic curriculum centered entirely on Phillis Wheatley.
We were met by UOG Vice Chancellor Prof. Herbert Robinson to discuss my institutional tenure and position within the university. Central to these discussions was the visionary plan to establish a permanent research footprint on campus, incorporating:
The Cotton Historical Studies Center
The Phillis Wheatley Center of Literary Excellence
Prof. Robinson expressed profound delight regarding the immense possibilities of anchoring these initiatives at the university. He enthusiastically supported hosting the traditional Blues Festival, organizing a series of specialized Cotton Symposiums, and constructing the physical Phillis Wheatley Center directly on the grounds of the state-of-the-art, new Faraba UOG campus.
This comprehensive academic vision was warmly solidified by Dr. Marty Paye, Head of the Social Sciences Division. Dr. Paye expressed immense satisfaction and absolute structural support for the Blues, cotton, and Wheatley projects. Furthermore, she proudly affirmed the unwavering commitment of her division—the very academic home where I am honored to serve as a History lecturer—ensuring these historical narratives are formally preserved and taught for generations to come.
KEY ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIPS
* Institutional Access : National Archives of The Gambia
* Research Facilities : Dedicated Office Space for Origin Research
* Historical Guidance : Guided Expedition of the River Gambia “Tenda”
Progress At-A-Glance
| Initiative | Key Partners | Current Status & Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Sister City Alliance | Mayor Roheyatou Lowe & Mayor Errick Simmons | Official acceptance drafted; virtual summit pending. |
| “We Are One” Festival | Cross-cultural committee & UOG Leadership | Planning in progress; proposed for the new Faraba UOG Campus. |
| Historical Marker / Cotton Monument | Cotton Pickers of America & UOG Social Sciences | Site location under discussion; backed by Cotton Symposiums series. |
| Reclaiming Phillis Wheatley | Dr. H. Ceesay, Prof. H. Robinson, & Dr. M. Paye | Archival space secured; Curriculum development & Wheatley Center planned for UOG. |
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Dr. C. Sade Turnipseed, MS, MBA, PhD is a historian, public intellectual, and cultural advocate whose work explores memory, labor, migration, and the untold histories of the Mississippi Delta. She is founder of Khafre, Inc. and leads initiatives focused on preserving stories rooted in community, culture, and the African Diaspora.