FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  May 14, 2024

 

For media inquiries, please contact:

 

Morgan Lloyd

President

connect@1838blackmetropolis.com

 

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1838 Black Metropolis Wins Two Awards: 

A Grant from the Pennsylvania Abolition Society and The Young Friends of the Preservation Alliance Award

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Philadelphia, PA - The 1838 Black Metropolis History Project has been awarded with two recognitions back to back.

 

• The 1838 Black Metropolis has been awarded a grant to develop more accuracy and fidelity of the 1838 Pennsylvania Abolition Society (PAS) Census of the Black Community of Philadelphia, and to produce additional digital content with the 1838 Census data. 

• In recognition of the latest generation of preservation achievement, The 1838 Black Metropolis has been The Preservation Alliance Young Friends of The Preservation Alliance Award. 

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At the heart of this recognition is the groundbreaking mapping work of the 1838 Black Metropolis project, spearheaded by Morgan Lloyd, President, and Co-Founder, and Michiko Quinones, Director of Public History and Education, and Co-Founder.

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In a poignant acknowledgment of the PAS' historic contributions, Lloyd and Quinones highlighted the seminal 1838 Census, a document that serves as a foundational source for understanding the Black population in Philadelphia during the antebellum period.

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In their proposal they wrote:

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"186 years ago, Benjamin Bacon and Charles Gardner created a formidable team.  Charles Gardner was  Pastor of the 1st African Presbyterian Church, the church home of many important Black community leaders like Jacob. C. White and Nathanial DePee.  Benjamin Bacon was a member of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society and a trusted friend to the Black community.  Together they organized a census of the Black Community. 

 

That census became the earliest complete statistical snapshot of a whole population of Black people in America. It provides significant proof of the size and importance of the Black population of Philadelphia. 

 

This 1838 Pennsylvania Abolition Society census is why we began.  We wanted to let the world see what leapt up to us from its pages.  We return to the 1838 Census on a daily basis as our sacred source document and use it to connect our ancestors to the present and the future." 

 

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Through meticulous research and innovative digital mapping techniques, the project has illuminated the vibrant tapestry of Black life in the city, restoring forgotten narratives and reclaiming overlooked spaces.

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Visit the map here https://www.1838blackmetropolis.com/map

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The 1838 Black Metropolis project represents a collaborative effort to rewrite history from a Black transnational perspective, weaving together research, public engagement, and educational initiatives. From online exhibits to interactive walking tours, the project has captivated audiences and sparked vital conversations about the enduring legacy of Philadelphia's Black community.

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"We are deeply honored to receive recognition for our work in preserving and celebrating the history of Philadelphia's Black Metropolis," said Morgan Lloyd. "This acknowledgment reaffirms our commitment to amplifying marginalized voices and ensuring that this vital heritage is not forgotten."

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The project's success has been further bolstered by partnerships with esteemed institutions such as The African American Museum in Philadelphia, The Black Journey Walking Tour, and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Together, these collaborations have expanded the reach of the project, engaging diverse audiences and fostering a deeper appreciation for the city's rich cultural heritage.

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As the 1838 Black Metropolis project continues to evolve, its impact promises to resonate far beyond the confines of academia, enriching public understanding and fostering a renewed sense of connection to Philadelphia's storied past.

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About 1838 Black Metropolis:

The 1838 Black Metropolis is a movement to reclaim, rewrite and restore suppressed or forgotten Black Histories. As a public history project, 1838 responds to the challenges of Black history erasure in our modern moment, by using digital art, informal education, presentations and programs to share perspectives and spark creative connections amongst people hungry to learn more about the Black presence in Philadelphia and the surrounding region from 1780-1880. Visit www.1838blackmetropolis.com