Freedom Day 2026

Freedom to Learn: Education as Liberation Then, Now, and Next

A community gathering honoring Mitchelville’s legacy and the power of education

Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park invites the community to Freedom Day 2026—an uplifting, thought-provoking celebration honoring Mitchelville’s enduring legacy as the first self-governed town of formerly enslaved people in the United States and the first known community to require education for children in South Carolina.

This year’s theme, “Freedom to Learn: Education as Liberation Then, Now, and Next,” explores how education has served as a cornerstone of liberation, civic leadership, and self-determination—historically at Mitchelville and urgently in our world today.

Free admission. Donations welcome. Rain or Shine

Event Details

What: Freedom Day 2026 – Freedom to Learn: Education as Liberation Then, Now, and Next
When: Saturday, February 7, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park
40 Harriet Tubman Way, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Cost: Free admission (donations welcome) | Rain or Shine
More Info: Visit exploremitchelville.org or call 843-255-7301

This Year’s Program

Freedom Day 2026 features a high-impact conversation on education, equity, and leadership—including Ellen E. Weaver, South Carolina’s 19th State Superintendent of Education, alongside distinguished leaders from K–12 and higher education.

The program will be emceed by Dr. Erica S. Taylor, a respected statewide leader in communications and community partnerships in public education, and will include a special musical offering by the 50-piece South Carolina State University Choir from Orangeburg, South Carolina.

“Mitchelville’s first leaders understood that freedom without education is incomplete, and their determined focus on learning and education helped shape one of South Carolina’s earliest traditions of compulsory education,” said Ahmad Ward, Executive Director of Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park. “We’re honored to welcome a powerful group of education leaders for Freedom Day, including State Superintendent Ellen Weaver, who all work together tirelessly to continue to ensure the freedom to learn for every child.”

Program Highlights

Emcee

• Dr. Erica S. Taylor, Assistant Superintendent for Communications, Business & Community Partnerships, Orangeburg County School District

Remarks

• Ahmad Ward, Executive Director, Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park

• Dr. Frank Rodriguez, Superintendent, Beaufort County School District

Featured Panel Discussion
Moderator

• Dr. Deborah L. Mack, Former Director, Smithsonian National Museum of African Art

Panelists

• Ellen E. Weaver, South Carolina State Superintendent of Education

• Dr. Valerie Cave, Superintendent, Allendale County School District

• Dr. Glenda Sheffield, Superintendent, Hampton County School District

• Dr. Paulette R. Dillard, President & CEO, Shaw University

Musical Guest

South Carolina State University Choir (Orangeburg, S.C.)

The South Carolina State University Concert Choir is the premiere vocal ensemble for university, and aims to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive music community that celebrates the diversity of choral repertoire, empowers singers to grow in confidence and artistry, and fosters a spirit of respect, camaraderie, and self-discovery! Through collaborative music-making, we strive to inspire creativity, deepen cultural understanding, and uplift every voice in the shared pursuit of musical and artistic excellence. Under the direction of Dr. Johnnie J. Felder, the SCSU Concert Choir has experienced exponential growth and continues to inspire, encourage, and delight audiences throughout the Southeast and beyond. The ensemble shares their collective gifts through choral repertoire from the Western classical canon, music of the African American tradition, as well as new works by living composers. The Concert Choir will make their highly anticipated debut at New York City’s Carnegie Hall with the New England Symphonic Ensemble in the historic Stern Auditorium on June 14, 2026.

About Our Participants

Dr. Valerie Coath Cave

Superintendent, Allendale County School District | Transformational Education Leader
Dr. Valerie Coath Cave is a transformational education leader and Allendale County native who serves as Superintendent of Allendale County Schools. A 1978 graduate of Allendale-Fairfax High School, she began her career as a first-grade teacher at Allendale Primary School and has dedicated 35 years to public education. Dr. Cave holds a B.S. from Baptist College at Charleston, an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina, and a doctorate from Walden University. Known for leading school improvement and expanding student pathways, she has advanced opportunities in CTE, STEM, and the arts and remains committed to student and staff recognition and growth.

Dr. Paulette R. Dillard

President & CEO, Shaw University
Dr. Paulette R. Dillard is the 18th President of Shaw University, appointed in 2018 after serving as Interim President and Vice President for Academic Affairs. A scientist, educator, and business leader, she has also served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and an Associate Professor of Biology. A three-time HBCU graduate, Dr. Dillard champions education as a catalyst for opportunity and community transformation. Her leadership has advanced strategic campus planning, historic renovations, and long-term development initiatives. She holds degrees from Barber-Scotia College, Tennessee State University, Belmont University (MBA), and Clark Atlanta University (Ph.D.).

Dr. Deborah L. Mack

Former Director, Smithsonian National Museum of African Art | Museum and Cultural Strategy Leader

Prior to her retirement in December 2025, Dr. Deborah Mack served as Senior Advisor to the Office of the Under Secretary for Education, Smithsonian Institution, and as Director of the Smithsonian’s national initiative, “Our Shared Future: Reckoning with our Racial Past”.  From 2012 to October 2025, Dr. Mack was Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, responsible for overall planning, management and coordination of professional partnership programs and international activities, including strategic alliances that promote organizational capacity building and sustainability, professional development and institutional best practices. From March 2020 through July 2021, she also served as interim director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art. Dr. Mack holds a Ph.D. and an M.A., in anthropology from Northwestern University, and a B.A. in geography from the University of Chicago.

Dr. Glenda Sheffield

Superintendent, Hampton County School District
Dr. Glenda Sheffield is Superintendent of Hampton County School District and a seasoned education leader known for driving academic improvement and organizational excellence. She previously served in multiple senior roles within the School District of Palm Beach County, including Chief Academic Officer, Instructional Superintendent, and Principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Dr. Sheffield has led curriculum initiatives, expanded magnet and career-themed programs, strengthened professional learning, and overseen budgets and grants to improve student outcomes. She is committed to building a culture of continuous growth and maximizing instructional opportunities for students and adult learners across Hampton County.

Dr. Erica S. Taylor

Assistant Superintendent for Communications, Business & Community Partnerships, Orangeburg County School District
Dr. Erica S. Taylor is a senior executive leader in public education with nearly 25 years of experience spanning K–12 and higher education communications, public affairs, organizational leadership, and community engagement. In her role with Orangeburg County School District, she provides strategic leadership that strengthens public trust and expands opportunity for students and families.

Widely recognized for building authentic partnerships across education, business, government, and community organizations, Dr. Taylor was honored as a 2025 Woman of Influence by the Charleston Regional Business Journal.

Ellen E. Weaver

South Carolina State Superintendent of Education
Ellen Weaver serves as South Carolina’s 19th State Superintendent of Education, elected in November 2022. A Greenville native, Ellen has dedicated her career to championing educational excellence and expanding opportunity for every student across the state. She believes deeply that a strong education is the gateway to the American Dream.

Ellen earned her B.A. in Political Science and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Bob Jones University. She is focused on strengthening foundational instruction, recruiting and retaining excellent educators, and partnering with parents, businesses, and community leaders to prepare students for their individual paths to success.