Our Mission
Our mission is to empower and inspire communities by preserving and documenting historically and culturally significant spaces, fostering a deeper understanding of our shared heritage, building connections across generations, and shaping a brighter, more inclusive future.
“Ultimately, delving into our family heritage and legacies cultivates character, courage, and confidence. As you embark or continue on your journey to uncover your roots, we hope you establish meaningful connections with the people and places you encounter, fostering connections with individuals and locations far and wide. Together, we build a brighter future, paving the way for future generations to understand their past, instilling hope for a better tomorrow, promoting communication within our community and across cultures and backgrounds, and nurturing unity. Our collective efforts grow into something far grander and more magnificent than what we could achieve alone.”
Our Vision
The discovery of lost African-American cemeteries has paved the way for communities to engage in continuous research on equity and broaden the scope of understanding of the African-American narrative. By preserving and interpreting these sacred spaces, we are not only preserving history but also empowering communities to actively participate. The journey of reclaiming these sites has brought together a vibrant community, linked by incredible stories and cherished memories. We deeply appreciate these enduring bonds forged along the way.
“Periwinkle, Yucca, and Cedars”
“Look for these when you return, my beloved child, and you will find my resting place.”
Many African American parents echoed these words when their adult children left their Black Belt homes, migrating north in search of better lives. The plantings they mention represent just one of our burial ground traditions; others include intermingling the bodies of different family members (reflecting the importance of community over the individual) and placing our burials with the head towards the rising sun in the east.
Learning and honoring those traditions now can provide a powerful form of community healing, a positive and active testament to the fact that despite all adversity, we stand.
Recent discoveries of forgotten or bulldozed African American cemeteries throughout the U.S. have opened these pathways for community discovery. At the Hamilton Hood Foundation, we have personally experienced this as we’ve discovered and begun restoring the historic Pierce Chapel African Cemetery, the resting place of two of our great-great-grandparents. It’s a dynamic journey that is enriching our lives tremendously.
“I am bound to them, though I cannot look into their eyes or hear their voices. I honor their history. I cherish their lives. I will tell their story. I will remember them.”
– Unknown Author
Reclamation of Cemetery and Community
Knowing where we came from connects us to the reality of who we are now and can help us make the best choices for moving forward. It’s estimated*, for example, that “nearly one out of every three enslaved children died before adulthood.” Connecting the dots, it’s clear that as African Americans, our great-great grandparents likely suffered from life-long malnourishment and trauma. Since that experience is reflected in our DNA, it’s most likely affecting our health and even our emotional well-being.
Two examples. Our ancestors’ malnourishment helps explain, in part, the disproportionately serious health challenges experienced by African Americans today. The adversity and ongoing trauma also help explain some of our community’s ongoing socioeconomic challenges. Connecting our dots – making sense of how we have come to where we are today – gives us the clarity we need to grow and thrive.
*https://www.sciway.net/hist/chicora/gravematters-1.html
Remembrance Project | Pierce Chapel African Cemetery Established Circa 1828
Descendant Leadership Council
Kevin Bowie
Preservation led by descendants ensures the integrity of historic places, effectively conveying their significance and cultural attributes.
Rev. Roosevelt broadnax
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13
Henriette Cain
Preserving our historic places is crucial for establishing a solid framework through which we can document and understand the rich histories of our ancestors. It allows future generations to delve into their family heritage and origins, providing a valuable link to the past.
Andrea Cox
Friends of Pierce Chapel African Cemetery
The time is always right to do what is right.
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
Patricia Phillips
Friends of Pierce Chapel African Cemetery
Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing is changed until it is faced.
-James Baldwin
Hannah pierce
Preserving sacred spaces not only highlights our shared history but also fosters a profound dialogue and cultivates cultural guardianship for our future.
Yamona pierce,
Executive Director
Understanding our history empowers us. African-American cemeteries are like vibrant landscapes of celebration. They hold incredible stories, cultural connections, beautiful artwork, and even invaluable genealogical links to our past.
William Jones III,
Griot
I contemplate the Sankofa principle, recognizing that understanding history and embracing our heritage equips us with the knowledge of our present selves, the world we inhabit, and the means to enhance both.
The Project Advisors
Henriette Cain
Chief Genealogist, Sunco Family & Public Records
Loretta Cooper, Ed.D.
Educator
Debra Taylor Gonzalez-Garcia
Association of Professional Genealogists
Earl Ijames
Activist & Curator, Historic Preservation at North Carolina Museum of History
Stella M. Pierce, Ed.D.
Genealogist, Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc.
Carlos Williams
Director, Creative Service, WRBL Channel 3 News
Frank Wilson
Regional Director, The Georgia African American Historic Preservation Network
Thank You to Our Community Partners
Baptist Church
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Preserving these historic cemeteries is crucial as they hold significant cultural value within our community. They serve as a testament to the contributions and sacrifice of African Americans in shaping our community.
We have a responsibility to ensure the humanity of our ancestors is honored and reflected in a dignified burial ground and final resting place. By carefully documenting and archiving their stories, we ensure that their legacy remains an integral part of our shared history.
Historic cemeteries and burial grounds offer invaluable insights into the lives of our ancestors. Through artifacts, markers, headstones, and even the surrounding flora, we gain a deeper understanding of their daily experiences, religious beliefs, and cultural traditions.
Anyone who is passionate about safeguarding our historical sites can make a meaningful impact.
