A film honors America's first self-governed town founded by formerly enslaved people

"They began organizing themselves and eventually created the first self-governed, autonomous city for freed people. It was called Mitchelville, named for the Union army Maj Gen Ormsby Mitchel, who led what would become known as the Port Royal Experiment, a model for how the country might transition away from slavery that served as a precursor to the Reconstruction period."

"The freed people, who would come to be known as the Gullah Geechee, built their own homes, elected their own officials, created their own economy and, for the first time in US history, mandated education for their children. Each individual made their own decisions, from what they would wear, to whom they would see, to where they would go."

"The Spirit We Move With, a new documentary set on Hilton Head Island, explores the story of the historic Mitchelville and its connection to Gullah Geechee descendants today. The film underscores the notion that Gullah Geechee people don't just have a past; they are also the pioneers of their future."

In 1862, freed people on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina established Mitchelville, named after Union General Ormsby Mitchel who led the Port Royal Experiment. This represented the first self-governed autonomous city for freed people in US history. The residents, known as the Gullah Geechee, built their own homes, elected officials, created their own economy, and mandated education for their children. For the first time, formerly enslaved individuals made autonomous decisions about their clothing, relationships, and movements. The documentary "The Spirit We Move With" explores Mitchelville's history and its connection to contemporary Gullah Geechee descendants, emphasizing their resilience and ongoing impact on Hilton Head Island. Directed by Andrew Maguire and executive-produced by Lola Campbell, the film premiered in February at Mitchelville Freedom Park and will be shown at festivals including the Rapport festival in Brixton, London.

Read at www.theguardian.com