S2026 E06 The REAL Reason African Americans Settled in Samaná in 1824
Many visitors traveling to Santa Barbara, Samaná come for the beaches, whale watching, and tropical beauty. But few realize that this peninsula is also home to one of the most fascinating cultural stories in the Dominican Republic — a community founded by free Black Americans who crossed the Atlantic in 1824 seeking freedom and opportunity.
In this final episode of the 6-part travel documentary series filmed across the Samaná Peninsula, Gibbs explores the powerful connection between history, worship, music, and community, meeting descendants whose family names still trace directly back to the original Samaná Americans who arrived nearly 200 years ago.
This short documentary film — The Secret Is Samaná — explores the remarkable history of the Samaná American community through the lens of Bethel AME Church in Santa Bárbara de Samaná, one of the most enduring institutions of this unique Black diaspora community in the Caribbean.
This film was selected for screening as part of the official program of the Alma Film Festival, highlighting the importance of preserving and sharing the story of the Samaná Americans and their place in Black diaspora history.
If you’ve followed the journey through Las Terrenas, Santa Bárbara de Samaná, and across the Samaná Peninsula, this final episode brings the story full circle. Experience caribbean travel with a focus on local stories, showing that the real essence of samana dominican republic isn’t just in its beauty, but in its living culture.
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Timestamps
● 00:00 – 00:20 Introduction
● 00:20 – 00:38 Prelude
● 00:38 – 01:54 Director Statement
● 01:54 – 02:38 The Names
● 02:38 – 03:49 Bethel AME Church
● 09:49 – 06:52 Pastor Justino Rodriguez Jones
● 06:52 – 07:34 Music
● 07:34 – 10:48 Mr. Alberto Daniel Jones
● 10:48 – 11:02 Pedro Emmanuel Shepard Vanderhorst
● 11:02 – 12:03 Harvest Festival | A living Tradition
● 12:03 – 12:30 Stucture and Survival
● 12:30 – 13:25 Black Migration to Santo Domingo
● 13:25 -14:20 Closing Statement
● 14:20 – 15:07 Credits | End of the Series
