PRESS RELEASE
THE MULOMA HERITAGE CENTER AWARDED A GRANT FROM THE MELLON FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT THE FORMATION OF THE MULOMA HERITAGE CENTER LOCATED ON THE HISTORIC ST. HELENA ISLAND SOUTH CAROLINA
The Muloma Heritage Center is pleased to announce a grant of $1,765,000.00 generously awarded by the Mellon Foundation. This significant funding bolsters the center’s ongoing initiative to establish the Muloma Heritage Center on St. Helena Island, South Carolina.
The Muloma Heritage Center envisions an institution dedicated to research, archiving, preservation, education, and awareness of agriculture and Black foodways. Through this pivotal endeavor, the center aims to facilitate broader understanding and appreciation of the rich cultural tapestry associated with these vital aspects of heritage.
Chef Tonya Thomas, Board Member and Executive Pastry Chef and Partner of H3irloom in Baltimore, is excited about the center’s possibilities.
“The Muloma Heritage Center will be a world class space where the African Atlantic history and heritage is preserved,” she said. “Where the contributions of our ancestors to food, to culture, and to the cultivation of this land will not be erased. It will be a space where all are educated, and the next generation is inspired. “
The Muloma Heritage Center is pleased to team up with Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, who is acting as the fiscal sponsor of the Muloma Heritage Center grant.
Adrian Lipscombe, Muloma Board Member and Founder of 40 Acres Project, envisions the Heritage Center as a sacred space – a culinary haven that honors the resilient spirit and enduring legacy of Black culinary and agricultural traditions.
“It’s a place where our ancestral flavors, techniques, and stories are revered and shared, ensuring that the tapestry of our culinary heritage is woven into the fabric of our collective memory,” she said. “Through this center, we aim to celebrate the richness, diversity, and contributions of Black foodways and agriculture, fostering a deep sense of pride and unity within our community and beyond. We also have the opportunity to delve into our roots, exploring traditional farming methods and culinary practices, and illuminate the vital role of African and African American contributions to the very foundation of Southern cuisine and farming.”
ABOUT THE MULOMA HERITAGE CENTER
Taking inspiration from the Menden word “Muloma,” originating in Sierra Leone, meaning “We are together,” the Muloma Heritage Center is an innovative and interactive eco-friendly center that will provide a unique experience in the history of the African Atlantic and its contributions to the American Culinary journey. Located on St. Helena Island, the site of the first school for African Americans, the Muloma Heritage Center (MHC) will lean into the island’s rich culture, steeped in the traditions of the African Ancestors that worked the land. What drives our work is the deep need to reimagine how African Atlantic history, culture, traditions, and foodways are presented to the world. Through food and agriculture, MHC will create a unique environment in which people of all ages, ability, and experience can feel free to imagine, create, and welcome an African centered culture. Through their visit, visitors will gain a better understanding of the culture and contributions that emerged from Africa and her Diaspora.
ABOUT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE LOWCOUNTRY
Since 1994, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry has been connecting people, organizations and resources, and has helped build stronger communities in the Lowcountry by assisting donors in making a difference through charitable giving. With over 450 charitable funds, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is the largest source of unrestricted philanthropic resources dedicated to Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. For more information, visit cf-lowcountry.org or call 843-681-9100.
