The Flint African American Quilters Guild (FAAQG) was founded in 1987 by Jeffalone Rumph and Derenda Collins and a group of ten additional quilting friends. According to their nomination packet prepared by Janice Harden, the group was founded to “preserve the skills and art of quilting that they had learned from the quilters in their families: their mothers, grandmothers, and aunts mostly in the South.” The group hosts regular, weekly sessions and informal instruction. Since 1995, the group’s annual exhibition and lecture activities have taken place at the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library. The theme for the exhibition changes each year, and Guild members work together to create a much-coveted quilt that is raffled off. In 2002, the FAAQG created a quilt tribute to the Library to celebrate its 150th anniversary. Guild President Jeffalone Rumph said, “Preserving and passing on history from one generation to another is a goal of The Flint African American Quilters Guild.  We hope that this tribute to our library will bring the past to the present and be a gift to the future.”

In addition to their considerable annual quilt output, the Guild works to ensure that younger generations build quilting skills and understanding of the connections between quilting and African American culture. The classes take place in k-12 classrooms, churches, recreation centers, libraries, scout troop meetings, and more. Guild members share their love of the art form and its role in their lives as a vehicle for creative and personal expression, something they instill in those they teach. Not only do they teach youth, but also offer quilting instruction to elders at senior centers.

The Greater Flint Arts Council hosts an annual Quilt Festival, which prior to the pandemic coincided with the timing of the Guild’s annual exhibition and lecture. Over 4,000 people come to Flint to enjoy this textile takeover of the downtown area, the centerpiece of which was the work of the FAAQG. While the Guild show is now often later than the Quilt Festival, the Guild’s impact on the appreciation of quilting in the Flint area cannot be overstated.

In their nomination letter, Sarah Brooks and Taliah Abdullah wrote: “The Flint African American Quilters Guild is more than an organization; it is a living legacy that embodies the resilience, artistry, and spirit of the African American community in Flint and beyond. The Guild has been instrumental in fostering a sense of community and empowering individuals through education and mentorship. They have provided exhibitions and outreach programs that have inspired countless people to explore their own creativity and connect with their cultural roots.”