African American Cemeteries and Their Communities
Why We Gather
This one-day symposium brings together diverse stakeholders - descendants, reclamation organizations, and academics/researchers - to foster collaboration in the sensitive and vital work of preserving African American cemeteries and honoring the communities they represent. While united by a common goal (and sometimes featuring overlapping membership), each group brings distinct perspectives, expertise, and interests to the table. The symposium encourages respectful dialogue, acknowledging these differences while recognizing shared goals. It focuses on contributing to, and disseminating, best practices and robust processes necessary for these distinct stakeholders to work in sustainable, ethical relationships with one another for the good of these historic, fragile, and deeply beloved burial sites.
Our Schedule
Featured Services
6:00 - 7:30pm:
Thursday, September 12 - NCCU School of Nursing Auditorium:
6:00 - 7:30pm
Keynote: "Cemeteries and Communities — Curating Our Stories at the Level of the Everyday"
Presented By: Professor & Chair of Anthropology, University of South Florida | Founder and Director, The Black Cemetery Network Antoinette Jackson
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Introduction: Adam Rosenblatt, Professor of the Practice in International Comparative Studies & Cultural Anthropology, Duke University
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Moderator: Charles Johnson, Chair & Associate Professor of History & Director of the Public History Program, North Carolina Central University
Friday, September 13 - Room 1101 NCCU School of Nursing:
Panel #1: Engaging Descendants | 8:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Overview:
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Engaging Descendants features descendants, genealogists, and preservationists describing efforts to engage descendant communities in research, reclamation, and advocacy for African American burial grounds. Explores the evolving definition of “descendant community” in light of decades of work at the African Burial Ground, contests over authority and representation in Montpelier, Richmond, and other sites, and obstacles to engaging descendants and making their voices heard.
Roundtable Participants:
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Moderator: Khadija McNair | Manager, Freedom Park
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Matt Reeves | Director Archeology and Landscape Restoration, The Montpelier Foundation
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DD Barnes | Board Member, Friends of Geer Cemetery
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Phyllis Bridges | Community Historian
Welcoming Remarks | 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM
Panel #2: Ethics and Academic Partnerships | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Overview:
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Ethics and Academic Partnerships features professional researchers at universities and historic sites, as well as their collaborators in cemetery reclamation organizations. The panel acknowledges the expertise and resources that professional researchers can bring to cemetery reclamation, while also acknowledging that sporadic, poorly planned, or extractive research can all cause real harm.
Roundtable Participants:
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Adam Rosenblatt | Professor of the Practice in International Comparative Studies & Cultural Anthropology, Duke University
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Alicia Jiménez | Associate Professor, Classical Studies, Duke University
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Nishani Frazier | Professor of History, Director of Pubic History, North Carolina State University
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Jade Marcum | PhD Candidate, Department of History
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Charles Johnson | Chair & Associate Professor of History & Director of the Public History Program, North Carolina Central University
Lunch | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Mobilizing for Reclamation | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Overview:
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Mobilizing for Reclamation features members of grassroots reclamation groups sharing new tools and methods they are using, successes and challenges in mobilizing volunteers, navigating ownership and boundary issues, advocating for the upkeep of cemeteries by public authorities, collaborating with local allies, and sharing knowledge and resources regionally or nationally.
Roundtable Participants:
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Debra Taylor Gonzalez-Garcia | President, Friends of Geer Cemetery
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Carissa Trotta | Board Member, Friends of Geer Cemetery
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Cheryl Williams | Founder, Historic Turner House Foundation; Cemetery and Steward, Historic Overland Cemetery
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Lisa Henderson | Founder, Lane Street Project
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Melissa Timo | Historic Cemetery Specialist, North Carolina Office of State Archeology
Coffee Break | 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Guided Tour of Geer Cemetery or Small Breakout Groups | 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Event Details
Location:
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NCCU Nursing School - Room 1101 // 1402 S Alston Ave, Durham, NC 27707
Parking Instructions:
Option #1: ADA Parking - In front of the faculty parking lot, directly in front of the NCCU Nursing School (pictured above).
Option #2: Paid Parking Deck (705 E Lawson St, Durham, NC 27701). This will be displayed as "NCCU Parking Deck" on Google Maps.
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Option #3: LeRoy T. Walker Physical Education and Recreation Complex Parking Lot, (1450 S Alston Ave, Durham, NC 27707)
*NOTE: "NCCU Nursing School" in Apple Maps / Google Maps takes you to an alternate location, so be sure to enter the exact address or parking lot into your search.*
Our event is free and open to the public. No registration required.
If you have any additional questions, please contact:
