August 23 …

The Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project (MPCPMP) in Jacksonville, FL stands as a powerful tribute to the enduring legacy of African enslavement and the critical role the transatlantic slave trade played in shaping American history, commerce, and culture.

The Project’s inception found its inspiration in a letter by Toni Morrison and from the writer’s encouragement arose the realization of tangible memorials to commemorate the painful history of the Middle Passage. The goal of the Project is to address the void through educational tools, ceremonies, and markers placed at various sites across the city. The Project quickly garnered support from both local and national organizations advocating for public acknowledgment and understanding of these historical injustices.

As the organization’s Website state, “Emboldened by her response and [with] the assistance of others, MPCPMP incorporated in 2011 and, on August 23, 2012, held its first ceremonies to commemorate the lives of African ancestors in Baltimore – one at dawn and the other at dusk.”

MPCPMP has identified 90 U.S. Middle Passage arrival sites — locations where Africans first set foot after departing the African continent. To date, thanks to the organization’s backing, 42 Middle Passage markers have been installed from New Hampshire to Texas, honoring the lives of these ancestors.

Over 60 community members have taken on the responsibility of managing and promoting the history of African presence in their locales. All documented Middle Passage locations are designated as UNESCO Routes of Enslaved People’s Project Sites of Memory and International Coalition Sites of Conscience.

Through its dedication to historical preservation and cultural education, the Project has made a significant impact on American society, commerce, and culture. It has brought attention to the role of slave trade ports in the economic development of the United States, prompting discussions about race, identity, and the enduring effects of slavery on American society.

Its initiatives have been acknowledged by various groups and have received recognition for their role in connecting historical awareness with contemporary social issues. This further cements the significance of the Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project as both an educational resource and a catalyst for ongoing dialogue about race and remembrance in American culture.