Commemoration Committee
The Commemoration Committee was formed to memorialize the 400 years of significant contributions made by African Americans from 1619 to the present day, and to perpetuate the memory of the hundreds of thousands of Africans who persevered the United States Middle Passage. The Committee is charged with providing quality programming and resources to increase public awareness of the resilience and contributions of Americans of African descent since 1619. The Committee is also charged with encouraging civic, patriotic, historical, educational, artistic, religious, economic, and other organizations throughout the United States to organize and participate in commemoration activities to expand understanding and appreciation of the full cultural, social, historical and economic impact of Americans of African descent since 1619. From time to time the Committee will include:
- Archivist, Ms. Jacqueline Johnson
- Collaborations Chair, Ms. Zann Nelson
- Communications Chair, Ms. Toni Byrd
- Digital Chair, Mr. Charles Stewart
- Education Chair, Dr. Shelley Murphy
- Faith Based, Dr. Paula Whatley Matabane and Dr. Khadijah Matin (co-chairs)
- Family Documentation Chair, Ms. Sheri Camp
- Genealogy Chair, Ms. Deborah Robinson
- Grand Marshal, Ms. Barbara Walker
- Grants Development Chair, Dr. Nicholas Gaffney
- Greek Organizations Chair, TBD
- Hereditary Societies Chair, Ms. Gigi Best Richardson
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities Chair, Dr. Patricia Fisher
- History Chair, Dr. Marion Lane and Dr. Evelyn McDowell (co-chairs)
- Intergovernmental Affairs Chair, TBD
- Library Programs Chair, Kathryn Knight
- Marketing Chair, TBD
- Program Planning Chair, Ms. Nathania Branch Miles
- Project 1619, Calvin Pearson
- Public Engagement Chair, Ms. Marilyn Campbell
- Publications Chair, Stephanie Powers
- Research Chair, Dr. Robert Bellinger