From staff reports
The Let History Speak Celebration was held on Wednesday, May 10, at MacLean Hall on the TCL campus. An annual celebration, the event honored eight local citizens and their work supporting the mission of the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in Beaufort. Honorees were chosen from three categories – The Explorers of Untold History Scholarship Program, Alliance Volunteers, and the William “Billy” Keyserling Pioneer Award.
Second Founding of America was founded in 2018 by former City of Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling. The nonprofit organization is a philanthropic partner of the National Park Service. Its mission is to assist in uncovering, telling, and celebrating the untold stories of the Reconstruction Era.
The organization sponsors initiatives such as the Explorers of Untold History Scholarship Program, Project Reconstruction Teacher Network, Historical Site Renovation, the Let History Speak Celebration, and the National Park Rangers’ Community Gala.
This year’s Let History Speak Celebration was hosted by Mistress of Ceremony Mona Lise Dickson. The audience of 200 was treated to a pre-program Sponsors Reception and a program designed to highlight the accomplishments of eight Lowcountry unsung heroes.
According to Second Founding of America’s President/CEO, Dr. Dan Durbin, “The recipients tonight represent a commitment to honoring the past, the present, and the future in regards to telling the untold stories of history.”
Receiving the 2023 Let History Speak Celebration! Awards were Gina Baker, Kianna Brown, Al M. Panu, Craig Bowman, Kamirah Freeman, Page Miller, Brad Taracuk, William “Billy” Keyserling and Robert “Bobby” Jenkins.
Community Service Award
Gina Baker has called Beaufort County home for many years. She spent 26 years in the Marine Corps. Gina retired from the Marines in 1999 and obtained a degree in Early Childhood Education from USC Aiken. She went on to teach in Beaufort County for 14 years, retiring from teaching in 2015.
She spends most of her time volunteering to support numerous community sites including the Pat Conroy Literary Center, Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, Beaufort Visitors Center, area food banks and Reconstruction Era National Historical Park.
Explorers of Untold History Scholarship (runner-up)
Kianna Brown is the daughter of Wayne and Kymarra Brown. She is presently a student at the Polaris Tech Charter School in Ridgeland. Kianna is both a writer and an artist. She specializes in character design through story development. Kianna’s future plans include becoming a civil rights attorney.
Beyond the Horizon Award
Al M. Panu has been the Chancellor of the University of South Carolina Beaufort since 2015. An accomplished scholar and academic leader, Panu has been a visionary force behind the development of the Institute for the Study of Reconstruction (ISRE) at USCB.
Explorers of Untold History Scholarship
Craig Bowman is the son of Craig and Amy Bowman. As a Beaufort Academy junior, Craig is a member of the Speech and Debate Team, Mock Trial Team, Interact Club and a Junior Class Officer. This summer, Craig will be traveling to Kyrgyzstan as an exchange student.
Explorers of Untold History Scholarship
Kamirah A. Freeman is the daughter of Kindard and Yewande Freeman. She is presently a junior at Beaufort Academy where she has been on the Girls Varsity Basketball Team (captain), Volleyball team, Cheerleading Squad, a Student Ambassador, and Chaplin of the BA Student Senate.
Servant Leadership Award
Page Putman Miller received her Ph D. in American History from the University of Maryland. For twenty years, she headed the National Coordinating Committee for the Promotion of History, the national advocacy office in Washington for Historical and Archival professions. Dr. Miller has written extensively on Legislative issues and testified frequently before Congressional Committees.
Educator of the Year
Brad Taracuk is a history educator at Whale Branch Early College High School. He is also an adjunct staff member at the Technical College of the Lowcountry. In addition to using history to educate his students about the world in which they live, Brad also teaches servant leadership and teamwork through his state recognized track team.
Founder of Second Founding of America
William “Billy” Keyserling is a former mayor, member of City Council, and State Legislator. After organizing with hundreds to achieve the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, he retired to focus on establishing Second Founding of America as a philanthropic partner to the National Park Service.
William “Billy” Keyserling Pioneer Award
Robert “Bobby” Jenkins was born and raised in Beaufort, South Carolina. In 1965, he joined the Beaufort Police Department as its second full-time Black officer. A year later, he moved to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office as its first Black deputy. Jenkins then spent 30 years at the S.C. Law Enforcement Division before joining the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office for his final decade of service.
Well known throughout the state of South Carolina and beyond, “Big Bobby” – as he was referred to by Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner – has seen the county from many sides. As a youngster, Jenkins shrimped with his father. At age 21, he got his first job in law enforcement. The rest is a life-time of adventure and service. Those adventures called on him to help protect Presidents (Bush and Clinton), a Senator (Thurmond), and even the Ku Klux Klan. Bobby Jenkins has seen his share of crime, drama, and just plain everyday sorrow. During his 30 years serving with SLED, he extradited criminals from 46 states while working for the SLED Fugitive Task Force. That meant locating, arresting and extraditing wanted people. After 56 years of law enforcement service, Jenkins retired on February 5, 2021.
Throughout it all, he has been a familiar face and soothing voice for Beaufort County residents in times of stress, sorrow, and life celebrations. Beyond his 56-year law enforcement career, Bobby is known as the “Gentle Giant” – a big man with a big heart and a giving spirit. His life has revolved around serving others. Beaufort County residents love to share stories of the Gentle Giant helping those in need, protecting the helpless and teaching future generations about integrity, honor, and selflessness.
