By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
Connie Martin, former educator, will present a program regarding the definition of a Negro Spiritual at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, at the Geneseo Public Library.
Martin will share stories and recollections of the songs with their embedded meanings. Many of the songs were used by her ancestors, and she may even invite those attending the upcoming program to join in singing with her.
She will explain the connections of plantation songs or Negro spirituals with interpretations that included many signs that aided the freedom seekers.
After her presentation, Martin will answer questions and take comments.
The speaker previously presented at the Geneseo Library about how her Grandmother Lizzie’s quilts helped guide freedom seekers navigate and escape safely to freedom from 1850-1865.
A sixth-generation descendant of enslaved people, Connie Martin is a retired middle school Language Arts teacher who finds joy in telling the secret codes and hidden messages in the family quilts her ancestors used.