The Slave Dwelling Project envisions a future in which the hearts and minds of Americans acknowledge a more truthful and inclusive narrative of the history of the nation that honors the contributions of all our people, is embedded and preserved in the buildings and artifacts of people of African heritage, and inspires all Americans to acknowledge their Ancestors.

OUR MISSION has five parts:

1. Raise awareness and organize resources to preserve, interpret, maintain and sustain extant slave dwellings and other structures significant to the stories of the enslaved Ancestors.
2. Bring together scholars and practitioners, preservationists, students and educators, writers, artists, legislators, organizations and businesses with the general public to:   

·        Change the narrative of American history and address the legacies of slavery,

·        Preserve and sustain slave dwellings,

·        Promote education about slavery and the contributions of African Americans,

·        Engage in conversation about all these matters.

3. Support and encourage individuals and organizations to preserve and mark sites related to the institution of slavery and the legacy of slavery.
4. Educate ourselves and others about the intertwined history of Americans of African and European origins, from the country’s founding to the present, to help us rewrite the narrative of history, preserve slave dwellings, and have dialogue about the legacies of slavery.

5. Engage people in honest conversations about slavery, race, racism and racial equity in search of improved racial relations.

Magnolia Plantation

WHAT WE DO: The Slave Dwelling Project

·        Gives talks and presentations

·        Organizes and conducts overnight stays at sites associated with slavery

·        Presents living history programs – “Inalienable Rights: Living History Through the Eyes of the Enslaved.” Holds           a major conference annually and at least one mini-conference each year

·        Provides consultation and networking support for those interested in preserving an extant slave dwelling

We are a 501c3 not-for-profit organization with a geographical and culturally diverse volunteer board of directors with no full-time staff.  We rely heavily on donations, memberships, fees for service and donations received through proposal writing.  There are not a lot of organizations knocking on our door and volunteering to donate to our cause of changing an incomplete historical narrative.

James K. Polk

And then there is this:

To Joseph McGill, Founder of The Slave Dwelling Project:

“Greetings! We are writing as we recently learned of The Slave Dwelling
Project and your courageous vision and mission for the organization.
We are inspired by your efforts to not only uncover the narratives of
a history that has not been told, but to preserve the physical
remnants of slavery as a way to share stories and more deeply
understand what so many want to forget. We believe in the potential
for healing in this country and recognize that truth-telling and a
willingness to have hard conversations is fundamental.”

Old Alabama Town

I, and the board of directors of the Slave Dwelling Project, thank you ELHAPA Foundation, Inc., for your $20,000.00 to the Slave Dwelling Project to be used as your award letter states, “where needed most.”

We are appreciative because you familiarized yourselves with our vision and mission and found it a cause worth funding.  It is my desire that similar entities will follow your brave and bold example. 

The moral of this story is: Ancestors, board of directors, where do we need this most?