In 2020, a profound realization dawned upon me. I discovered that there are communities in our nation that were once Freedmen's Settlements, places where individuals who had been freed from the shackles of slavery gathered their hard-earned coins to purchase land for themselves and their descendants. These brave souls, whose labor was instrumental in building much of our nation's infrastructure, founded these settlements with dreams of a better future. Yet today, many of these very communities lack basic necessities such as running water, energy, or sanitation.

These settlements represent an important part of our history - they stand as symbols of resilience and determination against all odds. However, it is heartbreaking to see too many of them languishing without the necessary resources for survival.

According to a report by the National Trust for Historic Preservation (2017), many historic sites associated with African American history like Freedmen’s settlements are endangered due to lack of preservation efforts and funding. This is not only an affront to those who built these communities but also deprives future generations from learning about this significant aspect of American history.

There are models of Freedmen's Settlement Communities that have managed to find resources to build on the legacy of strength and resilience to create thriving neighborhoods such as Independence Heights in Houston and Eatonville in Florida!!  With investment and protection from predatory developers other Freedmen's Settlements can follow in their footsteps!!

We must act now! In Commemoration of Juneteenth 2024, we call on the Biden Harris Administration to recognize the historical significance of these communities by providing preservation protections for them. Furthermore, The Administration to allocate adequate funding so that these areas can be equipped with basic amenities such as running water, electricity and sanitation services.

Let us honor the legacy left behind by those who were emancipated from enslavement by ensuring their dreams are realized in their descendants' lives today. Please sign this petition endorsing our resolution urging protection and funding for Freedmen's Settlement Communities.