Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation

Sema Hadithi Foundation tells the story of African-ancestored history, heritage & culture in Utah; focused on researching, teaching & preserving Black history.

[Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation @SemaHadithiUtah]

We are honored to have been asked to partner with PBS Utah and Utah Cultural Celebration Center to do this event.

2026 JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
Thursday, June 18 | 6-8PM
Utah Cultural Celebration Center

Please RSVP to Jessica Rasekhi at [email protected]

[Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation @SemaHadithiUtah]

Carlton E. Mitchell enlisted in the Army on 1 Sep 1950. On 8 March 1951 he was killed in the Korean War.
We have not forgotten.

[Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation @SemaHadithiUtah]

Our organization is supporting this event being held by a NEW non-profit: The Utah Buffalo Soldiers Organization.
This coming Monday is Memorial Day and they will be honoring veterans and Buffalo Soldiers.

[Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation @SemaHadithiUtah]

William served both Washington and our country by: delivering messages, laying out Washington’s clothes, tying the silk ribbon around Washington’s hair, organizing Washington’s personal affairs, organizing all of Washington’s papers, and holding his spyglass (binoculars).

[Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation @SemaHadithiUtah]

These paintings show that not only for decades after the Revolutionary War was William Lee remembered fondly and respectfully, but for 133 years afterwards. Since the early 1900’s we have forgotten what he and other Black Americans contributed at the beginning of this country.

[Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation @SemaHadithiUtah]

William Lee was enslaved to George Washington as his personal valet/manservant. He accompanied Washington everywhere, including into the Revolutionary War.

[Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation @SemaHadithiUtah]

Executive Director Robert and our Research & Exhibits person Alice went to Sevier, UT to install our newest and first exhibit on the 9th Cavalry of Buffalo Soldiers in Utah. Thanks to Zach, Maddy, Koy, and Liz at the Fremont Indian State Park & Museum for all their assistance.

[Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation @SemaHadithiUtah]

! SAVE THE DATE ! Our 11th Annual Heritage Days is coming in September. "Defending Freedom"
*Friday evening, 11 Sep -- Ancestral Remembrance Celebration & Recognition Dinner
*Saturday, 12 Sep -- Tell the Story Forum
Learn Utah's Black history you can't learn anywhere else.

[Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation @SemaHadithiUtah]

Our Consultant Ardis Parshall died suddenly at the age of 66. Ardis spent most of her life giving voice to those whose voices were taken from them and whose lives were tossed into the dustbin of history because they were not deemed important enough to be remembered.

[Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation @SemaHadithiUtah]

Our Executive Director Robert joined with others in Ardis Parshall's requested brief graveside service to sing her home. He specially selected the old gospel hymn "Hold On" to honor Ardis. Here is Robert singing "Hold On".

[Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation @SemaHadithiUtah]

Underground Railroad Museum in New York Sues Trump Administration Alleging it Canceled Grant on the Basis of Race

[Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation @SemaHadithiUtah]

Afterwards Alice was presented with a double (24 count) bouquet of beautiful red roses.

[Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation @SemaHadithiUtah]

Our Exec Dir Robert & our Director of Research Alice were invited to take an exhibit and discuss Black History to a group of youth at a church. Utilizing three questions ... (more in comments section)

[Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation @SemaHadithiUtah]

By listening to each answer the youth knew what they said was important. Following Alice's invitation to "Come meet a few of my friends" many stayed afterwards to enjoy the exhibit and ask questions. Who says youth are not interested in history?

[Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation @SemaHadithiUtah]

-- WHY study and learn Black History? WHAT can we learn from Black History to help us? WHAT makes Black History important? -- they engaged in a deep and interested conversation with this group of youth who ranged in age from 13 to 18.

[Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation @SemaHadithiUtah]

SLAVERY EXHIBIT RETURNS TO PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM FOLLOWING JUDGE'S ORDERS THAT CITED ORWELL'S '1984'
"The restoration comes after U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe ordered the Trump administration to do so by 5 p.m. on Friday [the 20th]."

--ABC News--

[Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation @SemaHadithiUtah]

!FREE TOURS!
WAIT! Did we say FREE tours?
Yes! We did😃
This Saturday the 21st.
Check out the attached and scan the QR Code to read more about each tour and register.

[Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation @SemaHadithiUtah]

Thank you, Sesame Street, for continuing to teach children that they need not fear people whose hair is different from theirs and to respect others' hair.

[Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation @SemaHadithiUtah]

Join with us in support of our partner organization Sowing Seeds of Change at their event A Love Celebration this evening. Info on flyers.

[Sema Hadithi Af Am Heritage & Culture Foundation @SemaHadithiUtah]

@MarriottLibrary These are fantastically funny. Thanks for sharing!