The Other Chesapeake

On April 15, the Starr Center presented “The Other Chesapeake”. Kacey Stewart opened by giving a brief introduction on Carr’s and Sparrow’s beach. Airlee Johnson then introduces Vincent Legget to narrate a short film on the beach. The film showed the significance of the beach during segregation. Black people were able to go to the beach free of worry or judgement. The beach was a safe place. Karen Somerville commented on how the beach allowed for a place of relation and joy, but was also a place for potential job opportunity. Next, Ms. Somerville showed two of her songs about it. Following, Shahid McMillian spoke and shared his songs as well. The research of the Starr Center was valuable to understanding how Black people found joy and freedom during segregation.