- December 4, 2025
From left to right: interns Oslyn Bryant, Rodney Roberson and Bryanna Ivey; Mayor David Alfin; and interns Savannah Ryan, Maya Chatman, and Asacia Morales. Photo by Emma Brugna
Valerie Betts and Oslyn Bryant dance to the music of Dante's Divas of R&B. Photo by Emma Brugna
AACS Board of Directors Chair Stephanie Matthews watches a performance. Photo by Emma Brugna
Dante’s Divas of R&B perform at the event. Photo by Emma Brugna
Laylee M Doll Clothes' Carnien Nibbs and her creation, constructed specifically for this exhibition. The doll on the top shelf is modeled after singer Nina Simone. Photo by Emma Brugna
Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin praised the event for connecting younger and older generations. Photo by Emma Brugna
Guests admire the artwork upon arriving at the exhibition. Photo by Emma Brugna
Bunnell City Manager Dr. Alvin Jackson says this exhibit brings back memories of his time during the summer of 1969. Photo by Emma Brugna
Student Advisor Oslyn Bryant introduces the interns involved in the AACS’ inaugural Art, Media, Communications, and Exhibitions Summer Internship Program.
Student Curator Savannah Ryan presents “The Summer of 1969” exhibition. Photo by Emma Brugna
Meshella Woods thanks those who supported the event. Photo by Emma Brugna
AACS President Joseph T. Jones opens the event. Photo by Emma Brugna
Student Curator Savannah Ryan perfects the exhibit before beginning the event. Photo by Emma Brugna
A new, student-produced exhibit at the African American Cultural Society explores the shift in Black music, culture, and fashion during the '60s.
AACS college intern Savannah Ryan curated the “Summer of Soul" exhibition, which opened on Saturday, July 29.
The inspiration for the intergenerational exhibit came from the 2021 documentary “Summer of Soul," about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. The film won multiple industry awards and streamed on Hulu.
“I kind of wanted to show the fashion, the history, the politics, and the music that happened at the festival and throughout the '60s, as well as just the community,” Ryan said.
The exhibition opening debuted the AACS’ inaugural Art, Media, Communications, and Exhibitions Summer Internship Program, which teaches local young adults and gives them a forum to express their creativity.
AACS President Joseph T. Jones opened the event by recalling that historic summer.
“This period of history is a sweet spot in my life,” Jones said.
Dr. Alvin Jackson, the city manager of Bunnell, said the exhibit brought back memories.
“We were experiencing challenging times," Jackson said. "The economic conditions weren’t the best; housing definitely wasn’t the best. But there was a culture.”
Exhibits like “Summer of Soul" bring generations together, said Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin.
“This is absolutely my favorite type of event," Alfin said, "where you bring a younger audience to an older event so that you create a cultural connection between those that have lived through it and those that want to learn about it, so you preserve a cultural heritage into the future."
The exhibition featured a variety of artists’ pieces portraying the summer of 1969 and paying homage to the importance of that decade.
One of the artists was doll fashion designer Carnien Nibbs from “Laylee M Doll Clothes,” who created a doll to resemble singer and civil rights activist Nina Simone, to be displayed for the event.
The event also featured live entertainment by Dante’s Divas of R&B and showcased fashion, music, art, and film from that era.
