The Township Council never brought to a vote whether to change the name of that street or not. Yet, out of that process and in conversation with other community organizations, the idea for a memorial, first articulated by longtime East Brunswick resident, Dr. Peter Kahn, was born. Soon to follow, the Lost Souls Public Memorial Project came into being, a partnership among several dedicated individuals and three community organizations: the New Brunswick Area NAACP; the New Jersey chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS); and The Unitarian Society, which has acted as the Project’s fiscal sponsor.
In fact, this history had been documented on and off, in contemporary newspaper articles, in later academic journals and books, and in historical projects. Yet over and over, the history was forgotten. In February, 2016, the East Brunswick Public Library hosted a presentation about this slave ring that operated out of the judge’s residence in what is now East Brunswick.
During the bicentennial year of this horrific history, the Project held multiple public events to raise community awareness.
- In February, 2018, we held an informative panel at The Unitarian Society.
- In December, 2018, we held a Day of Remembrance at the East Brunswick Public Library that had standing room only attendance.
- In-between those two events, on May 25th, we held the first of what would become an annual offering: Recitation of Names. It took place on the land that once held the Van Wickle residence that was used to hold captive some of the Lost Souls before they were placed on ships that sailed out of Perth Amboy.
Since the 2018 bicentennial, the Lost Souls Public Memorial Project has become the steward of this history and the mission to remember these souls lost to the ravages of the slave ring.
- In February, 2020, the New York Times Magazine highlighted this history as part of the 1619 Project.
- On December 22, 2020 the Lost Souls grassroots project was certified as a non-profit corporation and subsequently granted tax exemption status.
- In May of 2021, the New Jersey State Legislature drafted a Resolution in support of our efforts.
We are partnering with the Township of East Brunswick, which has given the Project the site of the future Memorial: near the entrance to the Community Arts Center. It is marked with a temporary bronze sign. Each year we hold an annual Recitation of Names to memorialize The Lost Souls, we hope you will join us.
The Township Council never brought to a vote whether to change the name of that street or not. Yet, out of that process and in conversation with other community organizations, the idea for a memorial, first articulated by longtime East Brunswick resident, Dr. Peter Kahn, was born. Soon to follow, the Lost Souls Public Memorial Project came into being, a partnership among several dedicated individuals and three community organizations: the New Brunswick Area NAACP; the New Jersey chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS); and The Unitarian Society, which has acted as the Project’s fiscal sponsor.
In fact, this history had been documented on and off, in contemporary newspaper articles, in later academic journals and books, and in historical projects. Yet over and over, the history was forgotten. In February, 2016, the East Brunswick Public Library hosted a presentation about this slave ring that operated out of the judge’s residence in what is now East Brunswick.
During the bicentennial year of this horrific history, the Project held multiple public events to raise community awareness.
- In February, 2018, we held an informative panel at The Unitarian Society.
- In December, 2018, we held a Day of Remembrance at the East Brunswick Public Library that had standing room only attendance.
- In-between those two events, on May 25th, we held the first of what would become an annual offering: Recitation of Names. It took place on the land that once held the Van Wickle residence that was used to hold captive some of the Lost Souls before they were placed on ships that sailed out of Perth Amboy.
Since the 2018 bicentennial, the Lost Souls Public Memorial Project has become the steward of this history and the mission to remember these souls lost to the ravages of the slave ring.
- In February, 2020, the New York Times Magazine highlighted this history as part of the 1619 Project.
- On December 22, 2020 the Lost Souls grassroots project was certified as a non-profit corporation and subsequently granted tax exemption status.
- In May of 2021, the New Jersey State Legislature drafted a Resolution in support of our efforts.
We are partnering with the Township of East Brunswick, which has given the Project the site of the future Memorial: near the entrance to the Community Arts Center. It is marked with a temporary bronze sign. Each year we hold an annual Recitation of Names to memorialize The Lost Souls, we hope you will join us.
Board of Trustees 2024
Our board is comprised of a group of dedicated individuals who give generously to the mission of the Lost Souls project. Our trustees represent diverse cultural backgrounds and professions; all contributing to the success of our programs as well as our operational and fiduciary responsibilities.
Members of the board are volunteers who do not take any compensation for their efforts.
- Toni D. Hendrix
President
- Kristal C. Langford
Vice President
- Steven J. Allard
Treasurer
- R. Toni Armstead
Secretary
- Andrew Ankamah, Jr.
Trustee
- Eugene E. Armstead, Jr.
Trustee
- Carol A. Austin
Trustee
- Lauren Guastella
Trustee
- Peter Kahn
Trustee
- Elayne Risley
Trustee
- Rhonda Stewart
Trustee
- In Memoriam
Maevonia D. Caldwell
