In 1990, seven young females of Natchez founded the Natchez Association for the Preservation of African American Culture (NAPAC). These ladies included, Judge Mary Lee Davis-Tole, and Patricia Powers both of whom are deceased, and still very much alive are Josie Gilchrist-Camper, Flora M. Green Terrell, Mary White, Patricia A Washington, and Juanita Jones.
Their mission was to simply tell the story of the Black Experience in Natchez. Today, the museum stands as a staple in the community and helps to educate all who enter its doors. It continues to liberate the African American mindset. With two previous locations the Museum is presently located on Main Street in downtown Natchez.
Now with over 220 years of combined experiences between these five female stalwarts in advocacy, art, business, community organization, culture, education, history, and a fervent passion, it is no wonder that NAPAC continues to grow and be a beacon of Black history and recognized as a treasure here for the city of Natchez MS.
In a full-to-capacity ceremony celebrating NAPAC’s twenty seventh anniversary on Friday, June 16, 2023, the five ladies were given their roses while they could smell them. Mayor Dan Gibson also presented them with A-Key-To-The-City. Other recipients of A-Key-To-The-City were Greg and Debbie Cosey, owners of Concord Quarters, Pastor David Green, of God’s Way Baptist Church, and to WMIS 97.7fm the Beat – WTYJ 1240 Radio, D.J. BUZZ. Singer and Pastor Dr. Montrell Green, touched the hearts and souls of all in attendance with his powerful renditions of ‘Love’s In Need Of Love Today’, and ‘A Lovely Day’ by Steve Wonder and ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’ by Sam Cooke.
