Africatown natives, residents and supporters met on July 17th at the Robert Hope Community Center for updates on the community’s new welcome center.
Shonnda Smith, Mobile’s Deputy Executive Director of Public Works and Senior Director of Parks and Recreation, led the meeting, sharing progress reports and answering community questions around plans for the center.
Previous community meetings addressed design elements for the center and established how the space will be used. Feedback from community members included creating the center as a first stop and orientation point for visitors with cultural and educational programming at its core.
Smith informed attendees that the center is currently in contract negotiations. During this time, project planners have visited nearby welcome centers and museums such as Lowndes County Welcome Center, The Legacy Museum in Montgomery and the National Museum of Peace and Justice for inspiration on design strategy.
As of now, the center does not have items to display. However, Smith shared that next steps for planning include collecting stories, pictures and artifacts, a step that will determine whether its scheduled December 2026 opening will be met.
Descendants and residents are encouraged to contact the welcome center should they have any items or history to add to the cultural and educational experience.
“Don’t send [your story] in,” Smith urged attendees, “Say you want your story told and we’re going to have someone collect your story the correct way.”
Interested community members can contact the center by email at AfricatownWelcomeCenter@CityofMobile.gov or by phone at 251-208-1199.