As Covid finally seemed to wind down a couple of years ago, I got an invitation to attend the inaugural benefit party for Southampton’s new African American Museum (SAAM). “This,” I thought, “is just the thing to appeal to my history buff-pals Jean Garret and Roy Paul.” We secured our tickets without hesitation. And we’ve returned together, ever since.
With our museum tour completed that first year, we retreated a short distance to the terrace adjoining Blu Mar. What refreshing drinks, endless yummy canapés and sparkling conversations awaited us there!
A village landmark, in the 1940’s the museum’s charming shingled building served as a barbershop and beauty parlor. It was a gathering place with importance, providing community for transplanted Black townspeople and a second only church. It was owned and operated by Emanuel Seymore, who had moved to the Hamptons from the South during the Great Migration. He had obtained the property from another African American, for just $10! (I’m sorry to say, that at the reception afterward, not many laughed when jestingly I yelled out: “I’ll give $20!”)
We visited the museum displays with vibrant and knowledgeable Brenda Simmons, the museum’s co-founder and executive director. Ms. Simmons’ late aunt, the first in her family who lived in Southampton, worked in this very shop, catering to fellow Blacks, and so did Simmons.
As a girl of 12 or so, her aunt enlisted her help to answer the telephone and take appointments.
Michael Henry Adams photos
After a terrific silent auction offering treats for every taste, how inspiring it was to hear how the Shafiroffs had pledged ten thousand dollars to aid the museum. So had two friends of theirs. That’s why, encouraged by Jean’s entreatment of the party guests saying “no contribution was insignificant, ” I decided to announce my pledge for a $100 contribution. It was in honor of my friend Alma Rangel, the former Harlem congressional representative’s wife, Alma Elaine Williams Rangel, born that very day, July 12, in 1925. When my dear friend Alma died last year, she was just weeks shy of being 100 years old.
This year, the Museum went all out with an entire weekend of fundraising events. Friday started things off with an outdoor screening of the National Geographic production, “The Color of Victory: Heroes of WWII.” For a more immersive experience on Saturday, following brunch at a private house, there was a reception at the museum highlighting the work of acclaimed artist Shaunt’e Lewis. What I really regret missing were not one, but two parties that followed that night, with what I understand was wild dancing to the beats of an accomplished DJ.
Things ended enjoyably on Sunday with a wonderful brunch at the South Hampton Inn. Those in attendance were beautifully arrayed, and an ample buffet offered excellent food, wonderful champagne, and I even managed to get an iced coffee. It turns out that the inn’s owner, who was there, is someone I know who lives in Harlem — Dede Moan, who was escorted by her husband Terrence.
Kind words in praise of dedicated volunteers and those skilled at soliciting funds are fairly standard at this sort of event. The entirety of the museum’s mission in a place that’s as white and as privileged and unequal as South Hampton — reminding people of all the myriad ways that Black lives and Black history are uniquely American lives and American history — is now more embedded than ever.
And among all the pathos, wise words and remarks of gratitude , for awards to supporters that inevitably are inadequate at best, I was so struck and moved by what Dr. Georgette Grier-Key said with such an effective simplicity and directness. In response to receiving one of several awards of appreciation presented after brunch, she offered, attesting to the museum’s vital mission: “We have been erased. But, we have been here since the beginning. When you pass by the grand historic houses out here, ask, who built these houses? Whose poorly paid labor paid for them? Who kept them clean? Who, cooked the meals?”
Hearing that, there was no making a mockery of the contributions of people of color: no dismissing diversity, equity and inclusion, or afterward denying the centrality of African Americans to all of our nation’s greatness.
