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Enduring Legacies Realized and Respected
African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation Finalizes Philanthropic Partnership Agreement with U.S. National Park Service and U.S. Department of the Interior
Enduring Legacies Realized
From This Ground, Roots Grow …
Story Curators: Bernice Elizabeth Green, Legacy Ventures, with Janine Fondon, UnityFirst.com
More than 20 years ago, Our Time Press joined the global press in conveying the messages of the African Burial Ground reinterment ceremonies and resurrecting its history. The event’s chief architect was historian Howard Dodson, then Director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Today’s announcement of establishing a partnership between government
agencies and a foundation to keep ABG’s history alive and in focus, inspires us to frame current extraordinary legacy-preservation heroes and projects and pull unpublished heritage stories in our files to the front row. To that end, Our Time Press’ new “Legacy Foundations” series begins today and runs every issue through February 2025.
The African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation (ABGMF) has announced the official approval and finalization of its Philanthropic Partnership Agreement (PPA) with the National Park Service (NPS) and the Department of the Interior (DOI).
This landmark agreement solidifies ABGMF’s role in furthering the mission and vision of the African Burial Ground National Monument, ensuring the preservation, education, and promotion of this significant historic site.
Rodney Leon, Architect of the African Burial Ground National Monument & ABGMF Board President, “The finalization of this agreement marks a pivotal moment in our mission to preserve the history and significance of the African Burial Ground. We are honored to partner with the U.S. National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior to ensure that this sacred space continues to educate and inspire future generations.”
Shirley McKinney, Superintendent for the African Burial Ground National Monument, National Park Service, “This agreement is a testament to the National Park Service’s commitment to preserving the history and legacy of this historic site and the lives and sacrifices of the ancestors interred in the African Burial Ground. Through this partnership with ABGMF, we aim to deepen the understanding of the historical significance of the site and continue to engage and educate the public and youth in meaningful ways.”
The partnership will focus on the preservation of the African Burial Ground National Monument, with a commitment to supporting and promoting public awareness, historical education, and cultural events.
ABGMF will be collaborating closely with NPS to develop and implement various programs that honor the legacy of those buried at the African Burial Ground.
The formal announcement took place in New York City.
The organization’s Founding Members: Rodney Leon (President); Eddie Gajadar (Secretary); Rob Fields (Treasurer); Dr. Carolyn Pautz; Edward Faustin.
U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), U.S. House of Representatives Democratic Leader, “The African Burial Ground National Monument is a testament to the lasting legacy of African Americans here in New York City and is the result of activists and educators who fought to keep this history preserved,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08). “This tremendous partnership agreement between the African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation and the National Park Service will allow this site to receive necessary renovation work so that future generations can also appreciate and learn from the powerful journey of their ancestors.”
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), “The African Burial Ground holds historical significance that must be preserved for future generations,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “The partnership between the ABGMF and the federal government represents an important step forward in the quest to advance racial equity in New York, and I look forward to seeing the educational programs and cultural initiatives that grow out of it.”
U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman (NY-10), “This new partnership between the African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation and the National Park Service – which has been years in the making – is critical to the continued funding, operation, and maintenance of the African Burial Ground site. The African Burial Ground is one of the most historically important monuments to Black History in New York.
U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), “I applaud today’s announcement of the finalized Philanthropic Partnership Agreement between the NPS and DOI that will protect the future of this historical site for years to come,” said Congressman Nadler.
Antonio Delgado, Lt. Governor, New York State, “I want to thank the African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation and its federal partners for all of their work to protect the African Burial Ground. I look forward to seeing all that this new partnership will deliver, and I encourage everyone to visit the memorial. The site is an essential part of the history of our state and of our country, and the memorial plays an important role in honoring the memory of all those who are buried there.”
Jumaane Williams, Public Advocate, New York City The African Burial Ground, a mass grave of mass suffering, is sacred and filled with historical pain. The various initiatives within the foundation that include historical education and racial equity are crucial in making sure that the dark past of chattel slavery never repeats itself again. We have a moral obligation to accurately acknowledge the pain of past enslaved people in our city, and the role slavery had in New York’s economy.”
Mark Levine, Manhattan Borough President, “I know that the African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation will be incredible stewards of the African Burial Ground, preserving the history and educating visitors about the hallowed significance of the monument,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “The National Park Service and Department of the Interior have found a true partner in this work.”
Laurie Cumbo, Commissioner, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, “I applaud this partnership between the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, and the African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation to ensure the preservation of this important landmark and to strengthen the programming that engages contemporary audiences with our country’s Black and African history. We owe it to our ancestors to keep their legacies alive and to learn from their experiences, and I look forward to working with the partners on the exciting initiatives they have planned to do just that.”
About the African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation
Founded in 2023, the African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of the African Burial Ground National Monument. Through educational programs, cultural initiatives, and collaborative partnerships, ABGMF works to ensure the legacy of the African Burial Ground is remembered for generations to come.
