When 54-year-old Tony Dickerson discovered her mother was showing signs of dementia, she realized that no one else in her family would get a quilt from her. Dickerson learned how to quilt when she was 6 years old, but when her mother stopped, she found a reason to bring out her sewing machine again.
Dickerson soon caught what she calls the “quilting bug.”
“Once you get bit, you get bit.” Dickerson said. “Quilting became my passion.”
She searched for an Indianapolis quilting guild, specifically geared towards people of color, to join. But she couldn’t find one. The closest guild of color was in Fort Wayne.
“I felt like a fish out of water,” Dickerson said. “I wanted to be a part of a guild of color so that we can look into the African-American heritage of quilting. I decided I was going to start what I wanted to be a part of.”
Her family supported and joined her quilting guild named, Akoma Ntoso. The name Akoma Ntoso stems from the Akan people of West Africa and means “linked hearts and understanding.”
Over the decades, quilting has been a way of blending artistic expression with activism. It recently evolved into the political and social justice arena.
According to National Geographic News, quilting was used as a device to help slaves memorize directions to escape. It was also an area where women used their hands to voice their opinions about life.
While the historic significance is important, quilting didn’t stop after slavery ended. Quilters continue to use their pieces to share contemporary stories.
In 1985, long-time activist Cleve Jones created an AIDs memorial quilt that travels the world to raise awareness. With over 48,000 panels today, the quilt honors those who have died from AIDS. The quilt launched the NAMES Project Foundation, which has raised over $3 million for AIDS service organizations throughout North America.
The National African American Quilt Convention, created by renowned quilter Marla A. Jackson, also featured quilts that pay homage to historical eras such as the Jim Crow period and current social justice issues such as the #MeToo movement.
“If we do not get our younger members to understand the history and pass it on, quilting will not continue,” Dickerson said.
With about 15 members, from age 12 to 84, the guild attempts to find a way to appeal to both older and younger members. The guild has appointed youth ambassadors who are responsible for going out into their communities to tell other young people about Akoma Ntoso.
Thirty-six-year-old Vanita Powell and her 12-year-old son Ciaran Reed are a part of the quilting guild. Powell said her son really got into quilting recently and loves making pillows.
“I can say that when young people find something they are passionate about, like any other hands-on activity, they are committed.” Powell said. “I think that once other young people realize that this is what I can do and make, it will be really attractive.”
The guild meets every fourth Sunday at the Harper J. Ransburg YMCA to teach the basics of quilting. Although Dickerson is currently the expert in the group, she said the goal is for a new member to lead every meeting.
Damira Duncan, a 12-year-old youth ambassador, said she loves having older people teach her how to quilt, so she can eventually teach other young people. One of Duncan’s friends joined the quilting guild so far, and she looks forward to more joining.
“It’s a nice piece of history to pass on to young people so that they can have a piece of their culture,” Diana Daniels, Akoma Ntoso member, said. “The fact that someone paved the way for you to be where you are. Ubuntu, a word from the Zulu language of South Africa, means ‘I am because we are,’ and I think that’s what quilting does.”
Contact staff writer Loren Dent at 317-762-7853.
Ready, set, quilt!
Are you interested in joining Akoma Ntoso? For more information visit AkomaNtosoIN.com.
