Honoring Ancestors: Give Back During Black History Month

Hidden in the woods behind Clarke Middle School in Athens, Georgia is a portal to another time.  Concealed by vines and brambles, Brooklyn Cemetery is an African American cemetery which was used primarily from the 1880s to the 1990s.  Those who were laid to rest here mostly lived in the Brooklyn/Hawthorne area of Athens.  Nature and time have laid claim to much of the cemetery; some tombstones have fallen and are covered with ivy, other graves are completely unmarked.

The purpose of this service project is to not only educate participants of the historical significance of the cemetery but to also aid in the ongoing beautification, preservation, and research of a once lost landmark of the African American community in Athens, Georgia.  Volunteers will work to remove overgrowth, fallen limbs, and underbrush from the grave sites.  They will also hear stories from community members who were influential in Athens during the Civil Rights Movement and other racial justice initiatives throughout the years.

Dates:

Saturday, February 6
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Meet at Brooklyn Cemetery (park at Clarke Middle School)

Wednesday, February 17
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Meet at Brooklyn Cemetery (park at Clarke Middle School)

If you cannot provide your own transportation to Clarke Middle, please email CharlotteBrown@uga.edu at least 24 hours in advance of the event.  A limited amount of transportation will be provided from Tate Student Center.

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations or who have questions about physical access may contact Charlotte Brown in advance of this event.

Contact Information:
Charlotte Brown, CharlotteBrown@uga.edu
Center for Leadership & Service, 706-583-0830