Community comes together at Soria City reunion in Gulfport

One community came together to celebrate its history in a day of fun in Gulfport over the weekend.

Soria City celebrated its first-ever reunion. The historical community was incorporated as a town in 1903 where it was later annexed into Gulfport.

Those at the reunion celebrated its past as a once self-sufficient African American neighborhood, playing games, dancing, and inspiring others to uplift one another. Soria City community member Keith Dunlap said, “Soria City has always been a prominent black neighborhood here in the City of Gulfport. At one time, this community sustained itself. So, we want to try to give homage to those that came before us, but then also to bring the young people along, let them learn the history of this city, in this area where they live, and make them more appreciative of where it is and who they are in this neighborhood.”

The Soria City community says it hopes to keep the reunion a bi-annual event.