Empowering American Descendants of Slavery
Our mission is to preserve and share the history of American Descendants while empowering communities to protect their heritage, strengthen their future, and inspire action.
Our ancestors left us more than a history. They left us a legacy to protect.
The Harriet Project
When another man came to us, he knew only up to the third generation of his family. Through the Harriet Project, we helped move him back six generations to four of his formerly enslaved ancestors, restoring a family history that had been fragmented for more than 180 years.
When D’Juan came to The Harriet Project, he knew of a family story about how one of his enslaved ancestors escaped slavery after killing the man who enslaved her. Through hours of dedicated research by one of our volunteers, Mike Dowd, we were able to uncover a much fuller story of her life, her family, and the circumstances surrounding her escape, giving D’Juan a deeper understanding of his family’s history.
LEGACY UNVEILED
We believe every county in Tennessee has a soul. By meticulously archiving history and investing in local preserving efforts, we ensure no story is forgotten and every counties future is bright.
Our "Legacy Unveiled" project seeks to document and preserve tangible assets left by former slaves to their descendants, including land, property, houses, churches, schools, and businesses in every county across Tennessee. By creating a comprehensive archive, this initiative aims to empower the descendants of slavery by fostering a deeper understanding of their heritage and facilitating informed decisions regarding the preservation and development of inherited assets.
Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, a 139-year-old congregation, has officially reached the final step in its journey to have its church designated as a historic landmark and now the congregation can begin the next phase of preserving and restoring its historic sanctuary, so it can continue serving its community for another 139 years and beyond.
Our
Impact
Upcoming Events
We believe change starts within our communities. Our engagement initiatives connects Descendants and grassroots movements, fostering collaboration and awareness. Join us for workshops, webinars, and outreach programs designed to uplift and educate.
50+
We have held over 50 Descendant focused events from networking events to presentations, film screenings and speakers. Check out a few of those events on our YouTube Page