Who We Are & What We Do
​The Friends of Twin Lakes State Park is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports Twin Lakes State Park.
Twin Lakes State Park is located in Prince Edward County, Virginia. The park was selected for this event due to its significant cultural and historical resources and the parks connection with African American history. In the 1930s, Prince Edward Lake and Goodwin Lake were partially developed by the CCC’s Camp Gallion, an all-African American unit, as Recreation Demonstration Areas. They were maintained as separate parks through the Jim Crow era to accommodate the racial mix of the public with “separate but equal” facilities.
Connect, Communicate,
& Collaborate Team
Our History
The rich history of the Connect, Communicate, & Collaborate Team (CCC Team) was formed in September 2023 by Dr. Yemaja Jubilee. Her father, 98-year-old Rev. John Henry Brown, (Charlotte County, VA) a member of the 1390 Black Battalion, Civilian Conservation Corps, helped build the dams for the 1930s segregated Prince Edward Lake (Black recreation park) and Goodwin Lakes (White recreation park). The Civil Rights Acts of 1964 legally ended segregation; however, in 1986, the Park was integrated and renamed Twin Lakes. A ceremony honoring Rev. Brown was held at Twin Lakes in June 2023. Following Dr. Jubilee’s production of this celebration, she had a vision to invite Dr. Opal Lee, the grandmother of Juneteenth, Fort Worth, Texas, to be the guest speaker at the 2024 Juneteenth Celebration. In collaboration with Kevin Faubion, Park Director at Twin Lake State Park, and The Friends of Twin Lakes State Park a 501(c)(3) organization, Dr. Jubilee began the uphill task of working together to bring her vision to fruition.
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CCC Team
The CCC Team consists of a group of volunteers from local and surrounding counties, cities and states. All members joined because they had a vested interest in our ancestral culture and black history. Currently, the team consists of community members, educational institutions, businesses, churches, national organizations, Parks, and nonprofit organizations.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to honor the legacy of our ancestors who fought for emancipation and liberation, and to celebrate the rich diversity and resilience of African American culture.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to honor the history and culture of African Americans and to educate the public about the legacy and the impact of enslavement, as well as the importance of celebrating Freedom.
Founding Stakeholders & Financial Supporters
Our founding stakeholders and financial supporters are Kenneth Hodges of H & M Logging
The Central High Museum, Inc, Southside Electric Cooperative, Bland Reid Funeral Home, and
Rev. Raymond Roberts of Mount Ararat Baptist Church.
Dr. Yemaja Jubilee
Sheri Bailey
Professor L. Roi Boyd, III
Wanda G. Morrison
Communications
George E. Smith
Patricia Harper -Tunley
Team Member
