\u201cMy grandmother used to tell me that you learn something new everyday,\u201d said Campbell. \u201cI passed that on to my own children. You have to learn to love life, to love living, and to be appreciative of every moment we\u2019re given.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Steele, the presentation served as a reinforcement for the importance of gathering oral histories. Her family sat in the audience to hear her speak for the first time, finally under-standing what she strives to do as a journalist. Seeing the way the audience embraced Campbell was also a poignant moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Campbell was glowing all weekend,\u201d Steele said. \u201cI was so happy to have helped make this trip happen for her.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Alysia](\"https:\/\/www.deltastate.edu\/news-and-events\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2016\/03\/2016-01347.jpg\")
<\/a>Alysia Burton Steele (from left) poses with Annyce Campbell of Mound Bayou, who is featured on the cover of Steele’s book “Delta Jewels: In Search of My Grandmother’s Wisodom.” Seated next to Campbell are her daughters Alma Campbell and Emily Harris, also of Mound Bayou. Photo courtesy of Smithsonian Institution.<\/p><\/div>\n
The Delta Center for Culture and Learning<\/a> serves as the managing entity for the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area<\/a>. The MDNHA creates partnerships that promote and empower the Mississippi Delta\u2019s people and communities to tell their stories and to celebrate their pride in the region\u2019s unique and diverse cultural heritage.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter a year of planning, the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area is excited to see that this collaborative effort was a success,\u201d said Dr. Rolando Herts, director of the Delta Center and MDNHA. \u201cThis would not have been possible without a team of strategic partners. Mossi Tull, a member of the Smithsonian Anacostia board, sponsored travel for Mrs. Campbell and her family. Maggie Tyler with the National Heritage Areas program made important connections with the National Park Service. And, of course, Alysia Burton Steele\u2019s oral histories and photography provided critical subject matter for educating audience members about the Mississippi Delta\u2019s cultural significance. Everyone brought something to the table.\u201d<\/p>\n The MDNHA\u00a0is one of 49 National Heritage Areas, which are cultural heritage partnerships with the National Park Service. All areas\u00a0are being encouraged to commemorate the National Park Service Centennial.<\/p>\n According to Tyler, National Heritage Areas program manager for the National Park Service, this year\u2019s centennial celebrations are intended to engage the next generation of visitors, supporters and advocates, and the 49 congressionally designated Heritage Areas around the country are an integral part of the process.<\/p>\n \u201cNational Heritage Areas help us achieve this goal by exposing grassroots movements, heritage tourists, and community members to the benefits of having a partnership with the National Park Service in their community,\u201d said Tyler.<\/p>\n