About Us

African American Monument at Tulagi Place in Lexington Park, Maryland.

UCAC volunteer Alma Jordon and student intern Jazzie Grey interview Eva Statesman for the oral history documentation project

"At the time, you made out with what you had because you didn't realize there was something better that you were supposed to have."

~ Clarence Smith, from the book In Relentless Pursuit of an Education (family photo of Mr. Smith c.1994)

United States Colored Troops Memorial Statue located at Lancaster Park in Lexington Park. Dedicated June 16, 2012.

Balloon hat adorns youngster at the Juneteenth Celebration June 15, 2024.

Our History

In the fall of 1994, Elmer Brown inspired several of his fellow members of the social club "Jolly Gents" to join him in pursuing the goal of bringing more public awareness to the contributions that African Americans made to the development of St. Mary's County. The group started meeting regularly and made the decision to build a monument to recognize and celebrate these contributions, to collect the stories that are passed down in family histories and to create a safe community center where youths could learn about this history and enhance their understanding of who they are.

The group named itself the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions of St. Mary's County Inc. (UCAC). Incorporated in the State of Maryland on October 30, 1995, UCAC is a registered 501(C) (3) non-profit organization. The founding board of directors included Karen Branch, Elmer Brown, his wife Johnie Brown, Reginald Brown, Linza Harvey, Donald Moore, Tony Porter, Joseph S. Scriber, and Veronica Scriber. Donald Moore served as the first President.

On November 29, 1994, the UCAC organization presented a proposal to the St. Mary's Board of County Commissioners: to erect a monument dedicated to African Americans. The commissioners agreed to placing the monument along Tulagi Place in Lexington Park, Maryland. The site is now named Elmer Brown Freedom Park.

Elmer Brown envisioned a monument shaped like an Egyptian pyramid, representing strength and endurance. Inspired by the hymn Rough Side of the Mountain, the monument was built of rough stone. "The stones and the shape of the monument represent the difficult struggle of Blacks climbing the rough side of the mountain to get to the other side," said Mr. Brown.

The Committee took on another crucial task: recording the oral histories of the county's oldest black residents. There is a long, rich history and culture of African Americans in St. Mary's County. Witnesses to portions of that history, by way of oral histories, link the present day county vividly with its past. Janice Walthour and Merideth Taylor co-chaired the original History and Research Committee.

UCAC has taken on the task of ensuring that these glimpses into lived history are not forgotten, that they are fleshed out, put in context, and brought to the attention of the community for its own examination, enjoyment, and education. In 2002 along with three other Southern Maryland counties, UCAC created a St. Mary's County museum-quality, award-winning exhibit on the segregated public schools, "Strive Not Just to Equal, But to Excel." This exhibit opened in the brand new Lexington Park Public Library and toured through several county sites including St. Mary's College, Great Mills High School and SMECO, and now is displayed at the USCT Interpretive Center in Lexington Park.

In 2006, following on the exhibit's heels, UCAC published an award-winning book capturing this important history, In Relentless Pursuit of an Education, African American Stories from a Century of Segregation:1865 - 1967. The book is available in the St. Mary's County Libraries and has been incorporated into the curriculums at St. Mary's County Public Schools and St. Mary's College.

In 2012, at the request of Idolia Shubrooks, whose grandfather fought for the Union in the Civil War, UCAC joined the effort to plan, fund, and build a memorial statue at Lancaster Park (Lexington Park). The life size depiction of a US Colored Troops soldier cast in bronze was designed and created by sculptor Gary Casteel.

UCAC participates in a variety of events and fundraisers, and is sustained through grants and donor contributions. Governance is by an elected Board of Directors. This Board is composed of citizens from diverse social and professional backgrounds who make all fiscal and policy decisions for the organization.

Most notable of its community events is the annual JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION — an event originally launched in St. Mary's County by UCAC in June 2004. The Juneteenth Celebration provides the citizens of St. Mary’s County and its visitors with the opportunity to learn about history and enjoy African American culture and experience locally. Festival goers become more aware of the exciting work being done here in our community by various organizations and businesses in our community.