To pay homage to Kunta Kinte and the many ancestors who shared a similar journey during the MAAFA, the September Global Journey Scholar will prepare works that examine the importance of remembering history through names. 

Today, in the state of Maryland, there is a township in Prince George's County called "Mitchellville, Maryland".  But did you know that in 1862, a township called Mitchelville was formed in South Carolina?  Names have always been important to African, Gullah and American traditions.  It is a way to remain connected to memories and energy of significant people (ancestors), important events and historical places.

​

Global Journey Scholar Contest Assignment: 

Find out how Mitchellville, SC was established.  Compare Mitchellville, MD and Mitchelville, SC.  What are the similarities between the two townships and populations?  How are the two townships different? 

​

PROJECTS:

1.  Immerse yourself in being a journalist.  Using the 5 W's (who, what , when, where, and why) conduct research to find out and report on how Mitchelville, SC was established. Remember that it is important to use multiple sources and verify your sources of information.  To share your findings, you may create a timeline, research report, creative visual artwork or video. Show how the Gullah people of West African descent residing in Mitchelville, SC persevered, maintained and demonstrated West African culture and traditions when they created their own community in SC. 

2.  Immerse yourself in being an architect.  Design your vision of what the next Mitchellville city or town might look like in the future.  What might you and your team of engineers, construction workers, city planners and other members of the project team consider as you begin the design project.  Think about the current design of Mitchellville, Maryland.  What are some considerations that would be important to you and future generations who would live there to foster healthy communities that serves the needs of the citizens of the future.  For example, if you had control of city planning, where would you place residential communities?  What style of communities would you have?  How would you build environmental sustainability into your city model?   How would you ensure that you have the proper infrastructure for transportation, public health and educational systems?  What role would animal rights play? Where would potentially displaced animals be relocated to in your design?

​

​

​

​

​

         Middle School Award - PRECIOUS FOREMAN, GLOBAL JOURNEY SCHOLAR

​

​

​

​

       High School Award - JEWEL FOREMAN, GLOBAL JOURNEY SCHOLAR 

​

Names have always held a special place in history. They are fundamental in recognizing and honoring our past, present and future. In today’s world, names are especially important because they keep us connected with our history. They remind us of where we’ve been, how we got to where we are now and (most importantly) where we’re going. Even scripture says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches…” (Proverbs 22:1). I think names are a title of identity, like for Kunta Kinte. Even though his captors thought his name was ill-sounding, Kunta’s name was a piece of home and comfort that he insisted on bringing with him to a new place, and as a result we are still able to learn and grow from it today.

​

As I researched the towns of both Mitchellville MD and Mitchelville, SC, I wanted to keep an eye out specifically for historic names, which would be key to unraveling special moments in both towns’ histories. I started first with Mitchellville, in Prince George’s County Maryland. Mitchellville MD was named after John Mitchell, who was the plantation owner of Essington Hall in Prince George’s County. Mitchellville currently resides between Woodmore and South Bowie, Md, contributing to making PG County the wealthiest black population county in the US. On the other hand, Mitchelville, SC was named in tribute to Union Civil War General Ormsby Mitchel, who had voluntarily established the town to provide community for newly freed enslaved people. After General Mitchel and his troops defeated Confederate soldiers on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, the designated land for the formerly enslaved population would eventually contribute to the Gullah Geechee culture that we know of today. In both instances, the Mitchell name helped keep our history alive by tracing back to the beginnings of the cultures and societies that black Americans have paved throughout history.

​

One thing I noticed, however, was that even though both town names were associated with and rooted in black culture, the towns themselves were still named after white men. So, in relation to the weight that names hold, I decided that if I could name a new Mitchellville, I would name that city after someone people could speak of and instantly be reminded of their origins and beginnings.

​

Welcome to the new city of Mitchellville, Delaware.

​

Mitchellville, DE is not just named after one person but two, Mr. and Mrs. Littleton and Jane Mitchell, the original visionaries of this diverse, multi-generational city. Through their combined racial justice and human rights work, the citizens of Mitchellville can benefit from the freedom, rights and equality the couple worked so hard for all to achieve. The Mitchell’s were both born in Delaware in the early 1920s and shared a love for humanity. Mr. Littleton “Lit” Purnell Mitchell was known as a ‘matador’, standing head-to-head against the beastly bull of inequality. He fought not with a red cape or sword but instead through his works, such as serving as President for the Delaware State Chapter of the NAACP, fighting in World War II as a Tuskegee Airman pilot, and becoming the first black teacher to work with white students at Governor Bacon Health Center. His lesser-known works were influenced from the experiences he encountered and the discrimination he faced. Mrs. Jane Evelyn Watson Mitchell was born in Wilmington, DE as a leader that served, and a server that led. She was a human and civil rights activist like her husband but is famously known as the first African American to work as a nurse in Delaware.

Their actions as human and civil rights leaders and activists are acknowledged today in many ways throughout the city, such as providing job and educational opportunities through local businesses and services and offering a fare-free community bus for transportation. The L.I.T. (Life In Takeoff) Aviation Program is a student based course named in honor of Mr. Mitchell’s nickname and his appreciation for flight. Similarly, youth are also able to participate in the Mock Youth NAACP Chapter after school program, getting a hands-on experience on how to operate the chapter, just like Mr. Mitchell. At the Mitchellville Community Recreational Center, citizens can even ski with an indoor ski simulator (a hobby both Mitchells loved). The Mitchellville Visitor and African American History Center gives both visitors and locals insight on how the Mitchellville city got its name.

​

The Jane E. Mitchell Hospital is the jewel of Mitchellville. This pristine, state-of-the-art building, named as tribute to Jane Mitchell, supplies a clean and accessible health center for both patients and their families. As a nurse, Mrs. Mitchell worked at a segregated hospital, and she noticed a huge difference between treatment and living conditions for whites and blacks. Establishing an equitable hospital after Jane Mitchell cares her legacy and name on for the future.

​

In this city and many others across America, the Mitchellville name ensures that yesterday’s chapter is not lost in today’s story. In fact, the name includes the past in its present, resulting in a more knowledgeable future. Activists, history makers, even everyday people in history have all left behind heritage and roots that provide knowledge and appreciation for the future generations of today. Like Jane and Littleton Mitchell, they fought for the success generations long after them would later have. They did not all have journals, textbooks, phones or computers to write down and remember their stories. Instead, we now can honor and learn from the life and legacies they signed with their names.

Citing Sources:

Wusa9.com

Pghistory.com

Exploremitchelville.org

Hiltonheadisland.org

Bbc.com

Delawaretoday.com

Udel.edu

Hagley.com

Wikipedia.com

Google.com

​