Jamila Jones Introduces New Affrilachian Cultural Trail to Illuminate African American Heritage in Appalachia

Jamila Jones Spearheads the Affrilachian Cultural Trail, Blending Outdoor Fun with the Rich African American History of Appalachia

WASHINGTON, March 1, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In a significant stride towards enhancing cultural heritage tourism and outdoor recreation, the announcement of a new initiative aims to spotlight the rich African American history within the Appalachian region. The Affrilachian Cultural Trail project, spearheaded by Innovative Community Solution's visionary leader Jamila Jones, seeks to establish the Weaver-Gilison House in Harpers Ferry as the trail's headquarters, marking a pivotal development in historic preservation.

Jamila Jones, participating in the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's Rural Investment Collaborative, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's Rural Investment Collaborativetm is undergoing an intensive 12-week program aimed at empowering rural leaders with the financial skills essential for realizing community projects, furthering its mission to support small towns and rural areas in thriving through improved access to capital. The program emphasizes the importance of connecting rural communities with capital, supporting their growth and prosperity.

Jones's project, the Affrilachian Cultural Trail, is an ambitious multi-state endeavor aimed at celebrating and preserving African American cultural assets along the Appalachian Trail. By integrating outdoor recreation with historical education, the initiative promises to bolster economic activity and foster a deeper appreciation for the region's cultural heritage.

The trail will feature significant stops in towns like Damascus, VA, and Asheville, NC, in addition to Harpers Ferry. Jones was inspired to develop this project in response to the lack of African American engagement with outdoor recreation in her community, sparking a quest to uncover and highlight the Black history prevalent in these historic locales.

Central to this initiative is the restoration of the Weaver-Gilison House, a testament to the legacy of James L. "Buck" Weaver, a prominent black entrepreneur and advocate for racial equality in Harpers Ferry. The house stands as a symbol of African American enterprise and resilience, embodying the project's goals of cultural heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, and historic preservation development.

Looking ahead, Jones envisions expanding the trail to include narratives of Native American history in Appalachia, further enriching the cultural tapestry of the region. This ambitious project, supported and amplified by the Rural Investment Collaborativetm, represents a significant step towards celebrating and preserving the diverse histories that shape the Appalachian landscape.

The Affrilachian Cultural Trail project not only highlights the importance of cultural heritage tourism and historic preservation but also sets a precedent for future endeavors aiming to celebrate and honor the multifaceted history of the United States.

To find more information about Jamila's mission and company, visit the Innovative Community Solutions website at https://www.ics-wv.com/.

Media Contact

Jamila Jones, Innovative Community Solutions, 703-945-8265, [email protected], https://www.ics-wv.com/ 

SOURCE Innovative Community Solutions