JULY 2021 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 85
OBITUARY
JOYSETTA PEARSE
NASSAU AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM NAMESAKE
BY BROOKE LEWITAS
Joysetta Pearse, manager of the African
American Museum of Nassau County,
and icon of the history of the Black community
on Long Island, died of cancer on
June 15.
The Pearses, Joysetta and her husband
Julius, are an institution of Black history
on Long Island. Julius, who is a descendant
of slaves, was the first Black police
officer in Freeport in 1970. Together, they
founded The African Atlantic Genealogical
Society, Inc. in 1994. The couple
helped more than 300 people find their
personal ancestral connections.
TAAGS also manages the African American
Museum of Nassau County. Using
historical data, Joysetta’s specialty was
creating exhibits that felt familiar and
hidden all at once. She was a member of
MENSA, the high-IQ society, and wrote
10 books on the topic of African American
history.
At 82, she was a still-active community
organizer. Pearse and her husband Julius
made headlines recently when the
African American Museum of Nassau
County was renamed «The Joysetta and
Julius Pearse African American Museum
of Nassau County” in their honor.
The museum is one of only two African
American history museums in the
Northeast. It aims to “promote understanding
and appreciation of African
American culture, art, and tradition
through education, interpretation, exhibitions,
collections and programs for
the enrichment of the public, with an
emphasis on Long Island,” according to
its website.
She is remembered, not just for the accomplishments,
but for the way she made
the people around her feel.
“When Joysetta gives a docent-led tour,
she brings the whole building to life,” said
County Museum Supervisor Michael Butkewicz
in May at the renaming ceremony.
“There are some people who you expect to
walk this earth forever and when you hear
of their transition, it touches you deeply,”
said Nassau Legislator Kevan A. Abrahams
(D-Freeport) in a Facebook post. “I
am glad she received some of her flowers
while she could smell and touch them …
Joysetta Pearse will always be remembered
for her beautiful smile, heart, and
passion about teaching people about the
wonderful history of African Americans.”
She is survived by her husband, Julius,
as well as their two children, five grandchildren,
and three great-grandchildren.
Joysetta Pearse (Photo by Ed Shin)
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