The Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project (MPCPMP) has launched its 2023 End-of-Year fundraising campaign. Our goal this year is to raise $20,000 by December 31, 2023. We hope that by introducing donors to the people who make us successful and highlighting this year’s accomplishments you will be inspired to support us with a financial contribution. To find out more about us, please visit our website or Facebook page.

Today's Featured Video

Watch the full 2023 End of Year Playlist

2023 Wrap-Up from Ann Cobb, Executive Director

As we celebrate New Year’s Eve, all of us who are part of the Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project want to thank you for your support over this year and all the years before because we know that none of our work would be possible without that support.

The project needs your financial contribution so we can continue our commitment to the ancestors to honor their lives, to honor their sacrifices, and to honor their contributions. We encourage those of you who understand the importance of this work to donate today, it’s not too late. For those of you who have donated already, we thank you so much.

Tomorrow, we’ll begin the year 2024. All of us at the Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project wish you a happy and joyous new year. May it be an extraordinary one. May it be a year of good health, prosperity, happiness, unity, peace, blessings, and adventure.

Once again, thank you all for your support,

Ann Cobb
Executive Director

December 28-31, 2023

During the last 12 months, the Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project has had several key supporters and friends of the Project who joined the ancestors. In this post we recognize the contributions of: Rosalind Howard, Willard Johnson, Captain William “Bill” Pinkney,, Randall Robinson, and John Sims.

Rosalind Howard: Long-time supporter of the Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project, Rosalind Howard joined the ancestors on March 4, 2023. Anthropologist and associate professor at the University of Central Florida, Rosalind assisted with research for the Amelia Island, Florida, Middle Passage marker and was a good friend. Please follow this link to read more.
Willard Johnson: On October 30, 2023, educator and lifelong social, political, and community activist Willard Johnson transitioned from this earthly realm to join the ancestors. Please follow this link to read more.
Captain William "Bill" Pinkney: On August 31, 2023, American sailor, educator, author, and activist Captain William "Bill" Pinkney, the first African American to sail around the world solo, joined the ancestors. The Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project was honored to have him participate in our Black History Month speaker series in February 2022. Please follow this link to read more.
Randall Robinson: On March 24, 2023, activist, author, lawyer, and founder of TransAfrica transitioned from this earth to join the ancestors. Robinson was one of the 1st honorary MPCPMP board members and a longtime supporter. Please follow this link to read more.
John Sims: On December 11, 2022, John Sims, a great artistic talent and champion of social justice, joined the ancestors. In August 2022, John discussed his work as an artist and activist in the MPCPMP series “Art as Memory.” Please follow this link to view the webinar and read more on our facebook page.

December 23-27, 2023

This year, the Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project (MPCPMP) became more aware of the broad influence of its efforts to acknowledge Middle Passage history and its legacy. The following organizations are now connecting their missions to this ancestral narrative:

The SNCC Legacy Project identified the Middle Passage as the origins portion of African American history and experience.
The Equal Justice Initiative created an art installation depicting the trans-Atlantic voyage at its Legacy Museum in Montgomery, AL, and in 2023 published the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
The Maryland Routes of Enslaved Peoples Trail established an affiliation with MPCPMP to include documented Middle Passage locations in their planning.
The Puerto Rican Organization for the Performing Arts (PROPA) became the first U.S. Caribbean island organization to work with MPCPMP in formally promoting its Middle Passage history and plan for markers and remembrance ceremonies.

December 18 - 22, 2023

This week, as we continue our 2023 End-of-Year fundraising campaign, the Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project (MPCPMP) we are sharing a highlight from our 2023 webinar and digital programming.

On August 23rd, traditionally MPCPMP provides special programming to observe the UN-designated International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. This year, preforming artist Antonio Rocha presented his creative work, "The Malaga Ship: A Story of Maine and the Middle Passage" Told from the perspective of the ship, Rocha uses song, narration, and mime to weave his way through this historical tale that chronicles the history of the trans-Atlantic human trade and its legacy.

As part of our EOY campaign, Antonio Rocha also shared a statement about working with the Project: Artist’s Statement.

December 11 - 17, 2023

This week, the Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project (MPCPMP) highlights the accomplishments and on-going work at documented Middle Passage arrival locations. For more information, you are encouraged to visit the website, especially the interactive map on the Documented Arrival Sites and Tours page.

Alabama

Africatown: Digital marker text is complete, and QR code has been generated.

Florida

St. Augustine: MPCPMP co-hosted a remembrance ceremony on August 23, 2023, at the Plaza de La Constitućion. Digital marker text is complete, and QR code has been generated.

Georgia

Darien/Sapelo Sound: Physical marker is in the manufacturing process. QR code has been generated; digital marker text is being developed.
Savannah: A planning committee has been established for a marker and remembrance ceremony. The digital marker text is complete, and QR code has been generated.
Tybee and Cockspur Islands: The digital marker text is complete, and QR code has been generated.

Maine

Kittery: A committee has begun work on planning a remembrance ceremony and Middle Passage marker.

Maryland

Charles County: A planning committee has begun work on developing a marker and remembrance ceremony for several arrival locations in the County.
Historic London Town: On November 1, 2023, a ceremony was held and physical marker unveiled. The digital marker text is complete, and QR code has been generated.
St. Mary’s County: A planning committee has begun work on developing a Middle Passage marker and organizing a remembrance ceremony for Leonardtown.

Mississippi

Biloxi: A planning committee continues its work organizing a remembrance ceremony and planning a Middle Passage marker. The text for both the physical and digital markers are in progress. The QR code has been generated.

North Carolina

Portsmouth Island: On June 10, 2023, a ceremony was held and physical marker unveiled. A date for the installation of the physical marker in 2024 is yet to be determined.

New Jersey

Perth Amboy: Digital marker text is complete, and QR code has been generated.

New York & New Jersey

NY & NJ planning committee continues its work to establish permanent markers that recognize the New York & New Jersey Harbor’s history with the Middle Passage and the trans-Atlantic trade of captive Africans.

Puerto Rico

Humacao: On September 3, 2023, the Puerto Rican Organization for the Performing Arts (PROPA) held a remembrance ceremony. The text for the digital marker is almost complete. Installation of the physical marker is planned for the 1st quarter of 2024.
Ponce: The Puerto Rican Organization for the Performing Arts (PROPA) is in the early stages of planning for a ceremony and marker.

Rhode Island

Bristol: On February 23, 2023, a temporary marker and day of remembrance ceremony was held. Plans for a ceremony and permanent marker/memorial are in the works.

South Carolina

Charleston: The UNESCO Routes of Enslaved Peoples Project (REPP) marker was installed at the International African American Museum’s waterfront. In October 2023, Dr. Ali Moussa-Iye, former director of REPP, visited the U.S. During the trip, he toured several Middle Passage arrival locations, including Charleston.

Texas

Port Arthur: On December 2, 2023, a ceremony was held, and the template of the physical Middle Passage marker was shared. The installation of the physical marker is scheduled for March 2024. The QR code has been generated, and the digital marker text is complete.

2023 Middle Passage Project End of Year Giving

We Are Remembering Ancestors