Harvard Slavery Remembrance Program

The Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery Initiative launched the Harvard Slavery Remembrance Program in 2022 through collaborations with American Ancestors – the nation’s oldest genealogical nonprofit. The effort seeks to advance Recommendation 4 in the Report of the Presidential Committee on Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery to “Identify, Engage, and Support Direct Descendants.” The charge of HSRP is to meticulously identify descendants — living and deceased — of those enslaved by University leaders, faculty, and staff.

Since this work began, American Ancestors has played a vital role in conducting genealogical research to identify individuals enslaved by Harvard affiliates and their direct descendants. HSRP anticipates that completing this research will take multiple years.

As HSRP develops its engagement strategy, it will look to its colleagues at other universities leading similar work, incorporating their lessons learned. Crucially, HSRP will engage with identified living descendants before any information is shared publicly. Initial outreach will be handled with the utmost sensitivity, understanding that many living descendants may first learn of their connection to Harvard’s legacy of slavery through this process. These conversations will mark the start of what we hope will evolve into a long-term relationship with Harvard.

Records of family lineage created from this work will be used to engage with descendant communities and will help inform other aspects of the H&LS Initiative’s ongoing work. The University will also donate these records to 10 Million Names, a collaborative project led by American Ancestors that is dedicated to recovering the names of the estimated 10 million men, women, and children of African descent who were enslaved in pre- and post-colonial America.

The work of HSRP is rooted in rigorous research, verifiable data, and collaboration with leading experts, recognizing that the people enslaved by Harvard affiliates endured profound dehumanization. To honor their lives and stories, the HSRP is committed to collaborating with direct descendant communities as the work evolves.

The University will begin engagements with direct descendants when the research has sufficiently advanced. These efforts will be led with empathy, humility, and grace, dedicating the time needed to earn the trust required for building long-term relationships. To prevent confusion, HSRP will share comprehensive updates with the public at key research milestones – rather than incrementally with individuals – ensuring clarity and accuracy while respecting descendants’ privacy.