Jack and Jill of America transformed a weekend in North Charleston into a powerful lesson about history, heritage and community responsibility during their biennial National Youth Trip to the Lowcountry.
The gathering went beyond a historical tour, with families approaching the region's cultural landscape as active participants rather than passive observers. The theme—"A Journey Through History: Ancestry and Legacy of the Lowcountry"—invited participants to engage with the area's stories and traditions on a deeply personal level.
What made the trip distinctive was how Jack and Jill families channeled their presence into concrete action. Working alongside local partners Jenkins Youth & Family Village and Murray Hill Recreation Association, they organized a literacy-focused service day that distributed over 400 books and literacy resources to create a permanent community library for local children. The group also contributed funds to support Jenkins' summer freedom school program.
"History isn't something to memorize and forget," said Darlene McGhee Whittington, the organization's national president. "It's something to experience, to feel, and to learn from in ways that transform how we see ourselves and our obligations to others."
Acclaimed South Carolina author Antwan Eady led interactive storytelling and creative writing sessions, sparking imagination among Jack and Jill youth through his award-winning picture book and engaging workshops.
Since its founding in 1938, Jack and Jill of America has invested in developing African American youth leaders. The organization's approach demonstrates that leadership development isn't merely about individual achievement—it's about recognizing the power to lift others as people rise.