Who We Are

Attendees at UCAC's first invitational meeting in 1995 are seated from left:, George Chase, Purnell Frederick, Grace Blackwell, Guffrie Smith Sr, Everlyn Holland, Bobby Gant Sr. Carrie Glascoe, Mary Somerville, Catherine Thompson, and standing from left: Edward Smith, Joseph Lee Somerville Sr., Viola Gardner, Ruth Portee, and Richard Portee.

Soul In Motion Inc. parade through the Juneteenth Celebration in 2023 drumming with stilt-walker and African costumes.

Janice Talbert Walthour shares the Drayden Schoolhouse story with visiting students.

Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions (UCAC)'s mission is to document, increase understanding of, and foster African American contributions to the history and development of St. Mary’s County while advocating for improvements in health, education, and community building for all citizens of St. Mary’s County.

We seek to build pathways and structures linking the past to the present through research, writing, conducting oral history interviews, and building monuments to the accomplishments of those who have been left out of historical accounts. The African American Monument at Elmer Brown Freedom Park and the U.S. Colored Troops Memorial located in John G. Lancaster Park highlight an array of interpretive signage and there are additional museum exhibits at the U.S. Colored Troops Interpretive Center. The UCAC office is located in the USCT Interpretive Center.

Annually in June, UCAC holds a Juneteenth Festival inviting everyone to celebrate the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S.. We rely on many strong partnerships to mount this event and other UCAC activities. Our partners include St. Mary’s County government (especially Parks and Recreation and Museum Division); St. Mary’s County Libraries; NAACP Branch 7025; and the National Southern Maryland Heritage Area. We are also proud to partner with the Southern Maryland Equity in History Coalition.

Each year, UCAC awards higher education scholarships to aspiring local students. Last, but not least, UCAC members serve as docents at the historic Drayden African American Schoolhouse (1890-1942)