9th Annual Homage to our Ancestors

We remember them. We honor them. We speak their names.

Join the Lost Souls Public Memorial Project for our 9th Annual Homage to Our Ancestors, a community gathering honoring the 137 African Americans who were illegally sold into permanent slavery from New Jersey in 1818, as well as the generations of ancestors whose lives, strength and stories continue to shape our communities today.

At the heart of the afternoon is the Lost Souls Memorial Public Recitation, when we come together to speak the names of the Lost Souls aloud. It is a simple but powerful act of remembrance, restoring recognition and humanity to individuals whose stories were nearly erased from our shared history.

But remembrance is also about celebrating what endures. Through music, dance, storytelling, food and interactive activities for all ages, Homage to Our Ancestors will create space to reflect on the past while celebrating the culture, creativity, resilience and community that have been carried forward across generations.

The afternoon will begin at 1:00 PM with light refreshments and interactive activities for guests of all ages, followed by the formal program and public recitation.

This is more than a recitation of names. It is an act of collective memory.

We invite you to gather with us, to learn their names, honor their lives, celebrate our ancestors and help ensure that the stories of the Lost Souls are carried forward for generations to come.