Honoring the Histories of Enslaved Persons
by ma-web
As part of CT State Manchester’s recognition of Black History Month, the Diversity Committee organized a panel presentation and discussion to honor the histories of enslaved persons in New England, with a specific focus on Connecticut, including the town of Manchester. The goal of the panel was to raise awareness about these long-silenced histories, engage our community members in discussion, and to consider how engagement with these histories speaks to current inequities and the building of a more equitable future.
Panel presenters include:
Dennis Culliton, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Witness Stones Project (the award-winning Connecticut nonprofit agency, founded to “restore the history and honor the humanity of enslaved individuals who helped build our communities” witnessstonesproject.org/)
Pat Wilson Pheanious, Witness Stones Founder and Board Chair, former State representative, and 9th generation descendent of enslaved individuals in Connecticut.
Dr. Deborah Simmons, Professor of Music at CT State Manchester and consultant with the Manchester Historical Society
Dr. Ousmane K. Power-Greene, Professor of History and the Program Director Africana Studies at Clark University. Primary researcher and public historian with Black Lives in the Connecticut River Valley Project
For more information please contact Heidi Zavatone-Veth (HZavatone-Veth@mcc.commnet.edu) or Luz Londono Diaz (LLondonoDiaz@mcc.commnet.edu )
