Global Curatorial Project: Unfinished Conversations oral histories and records (Ms.2022.010)

Biographical/Historical Note

The Global Curatorial Project (GCP) is a network of scholars, curators and community educators who are committed to creating innovative forms of public history about historical experiences and the contemporary legacies of racial slavery and colonialism.The GCP is defined by two closely connected projects: a traveling exhibition, In Slavery's Wake and a curatorial / archival collection and public engagement project, Unfinished Conversations. Together, these projects work to better understand how our lives and societies are continually shaped by the global wake of racial slavery and European colonialism. It is jointly led by the Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery (also known as the Simmons Center) at Brown University and the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC).

The Simmons Center (formerly the CSSJ) was established in 2012 as a direct result of the Steering Committee report which was part of Brown University's reckoning with its involvement in and profiting off of racialized slavery. Over the last decade the Simmons Center has organized hundreds of public programs to understand how slavery's legacy directly impacts all of our lives, yet is "hidden in plain sight" and The Global Curatorial Project is one of their latest collaborations to that end. Partner institutions include: International Slavery Museum, Liverpool; Museu do Samba, LABHOI - Laboratório de Historia Oral e Imagem (UFF) Programa Rio, Memória e Ação; Unité de Recherche en Ingénierie Culturelle et en Anthropologie (URICA)/IFAN-UCAD, Brazil; Royal Museum for Central Africa, Belgium [Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Koninklijk Museum voor Midden-Afrika]; and Iziko Museums of South Africa.

This project was done in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History and Culture and made possible through generous funding from Abrams Foundation and the Wyncote Foundation. The hard work and dedication of each of the Institutional Partners and their staff is gratefully acknowledged.

Institutional Partners

• Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery & Justice at Brown University
• Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture Museum
• International Slavery Museum (ISM), Liverpool
• Museu do Samba
• LABHOI - Laboratório de Historia Oral e Imagem (UFF)
• Programa Rio, Memória e Ação
• National Historical Museum of Brazil
• Unité de Recherche en Ingénierie Culturelle et en Anthropologie (URICA)/IFAN-UCAD
• Royal Museum for Central Africa
• Musée Royal de l’Afrique Centrale
• Koninklijk Museum voor Midden-Afrika
• Iziko Museums of South Africa

Staff at the Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery & Justice

• Prof. Anthony Bogues
• Natasha Astrid Rosario DeChambeau
• Sabina Griffin
• Kiku Langford McDonald
• Africa Smith
• Reina Thomas
• Shana Weinberg

Faculty and Staff Partners at Brown University

• Geri Augusto
• Chance Boas
• Karen Eberhart
• Joseph Mancino
• Joseph Meisel
• Bianca Pallo
• Maiyah Rivers
• AmandaStrauss
• Hilary Wang

Brown University Research team

• zuri armand
• Victoria Cheff
• Dr.Sherri Cummings
• Bridget DeLaney-Hall
• Yannick Etoundi
• Daniel Everton
• Nélari Figueroa Torres
• Julia Gettle
• Dr. Marie Larose
• Gustav Lloyd Hall
• Kennedy Jones
• Dr. Anni Pullagura
• Dillon Christophe Stone
• Laura Tamayo
• Malcolm Thomas
• Susana Turbay

Smithsonian Institute National Museum of African American History & Culture Staff

• Dr. Lonnie G. Bunch III
• Dr. Kevin Young
• Dorey Butter
• Dr. Paul Gardullo
• Trudy Hutcherson
• Dr. Kate McMahon
• Gabrielle Chantal Miller
• Kelly Navies
• Johanna Obenda
• Ivie Orobaton
• Fleur Paysour

Africatown, AL (United States)

Africatown Project Team

• Gabrielle Chantal Miller, site organizer; interviewer
• Tiffany McNeil, videographer
• Johanna Obenda, site organizer; interviewer

Africatown Participants

• Jordan Barnes
• Joleigh Bush
• Stephanie Coates
• Thurman B. Coates
• Arlean Horton
• Brandon Hoyt
• Marcus Kyles
• Emmett Lewis
• Nina Major
• Patrick Munnerlyn
• Jennifer Prince
• Destineé Rogers
• Larry Ruffin
• Derrick Tinsley
• Samuel Waller
• Rev. Christopher Williams Sr.
• Barja Wilson
• Joe Womack
• Lorna Gail Woods
• Mary C. Wright

Belgium

Belgium Project Team

• Dominique Ankone, Flemish Translator
• Bukas Basumbandek, Lingala Translator
• Armand Bayala, Videographer
• Christine Bluard, Royal Museum for Central Africa
• Sofie Bouillon, Royal Museum for Central Africa
• Maurice Carney, translation support, Friends of the Congo
• Dr. Bambi Ceuppens, site organizer; interviewer
• Marie-Reine Iyumva, Royal Museum for Central Africa
• Diana Salakheddin Royal Museum for Central Africa
• Paul Shemisi, Videographer
• Sophie de Ville, Royal Museum for Central Africa

Belgium Participants

• Bosefe Baluka Iyaku
• Jaqueline Goegebeur
• Gaspard Habumuremyi
• Cécile Ilunga
• Sibo Kanobana
• Dieudonné Lakama
• Bernadette Miezi Lusakalalu
• Innocent Muhozi
• Ken Ndiaye
• Salome Ysebaert

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Brazil Project Team

• Dr. Martha Abreu, site organizer; interviewer
• Marcelo Armaro, Musician
• Dr. Paul Gardullo
• Dr. Keila Grinberg
• Ademir Junior, Videographer
• Aline Montenegro Magalhães
• Vinícius Natal, project manager, researcher and interviewer
• Natália Pires Rodrigues Videographer, Photographer
• Thiago Sereno, musician
• Matheus Sinder, Research Assistant

Brazil Participants

• Alcino Amaral
• Cláudio Honorato
• Maurício Hora
• Mônica Lima
• Thayssa Menezes
• Caio Sergio Moraes
• Nilcemar Nogueira
• Renzo Pena
• Erick Quirino
• Lais Rocha
• Ivanir dos Santos
• Nathalia Sarro

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

DRC Project Team

• Dr. Bambi Ceuppens, site organizer; interviewer
• Michée Diansana, team member
• Kevin Elonga, team member
• Dani Kula, team member
• Pierrot Mukanya-Mufuta, team member
• Diana Salakheddin, Royal Museum for Central Africa
• Paul Shemisi, Videographer Bukas
• Basumbandek, Lingala Translator

DRC Participants

• Jeanine Amusubi Yogolelo
• Paul Dilungane Dia Mawonga
• François Kadiebwe Wa Kasangu
• Rachel Kapombo Ilodi
• Ferdinand Lokunda Lokunda da Silva
• Betty Mafueni
• Thérèse Mantu
• Prisca Manyala
• Suzanne Matondo
• Anna Mawuna Nsiala
• Pierre Giscard Mayona Ntangu Zayionso
• Déo Mpatu
• Jona Mukamba Kadiata Nzeba
• Rémy Muke
• Yvonne Muleka
• Daniel Ndoluvwalu Nadia
• Léon Nguapitshi Kayongo
• Debora Nsomwe
• Daniel Ntumba Wa Tshilumba
• Amour Otou-Etoundi
• Jean François Tamba Mabiaca
• Géraldine Tobe
• Ernest Léon Viokolo Lelo

Jamaica

Jamaica Project Team

• Michael Anderson, videographer
• Prof. Anthony Bogues, site organizer; interviewer
• Jonathan Garcia, videographer
• Lennon Gray, driver
• Yannick Etoundi, interviewer
• Hans Salazar, videographer
• Gabriel Soyka, videographer

Jamaica Participants

• Sir Hilary Beckles
• Marcus Goffe
• Angela Henry
• Bobby Hill
• Dr. Rupert Lewis
• Hon. P.J. Patterson
• Dr. Verene Shepherd

Charlestown Maroons

• Colonel Marcia Douglas
• Angela Henry

Liverpool, United Kingdom

Liverpool Project Team

• Ayo Akinrele, RESPECT Member/activist and Hope Uni student
• Prof. Anthony Bogues, interviewer
• Claire Benjamin, International Slavery Museum
• Richard Benjamin, International Slavery Museum
• Stef Bradley, National Museums Liverpool
• Darren Brady, Videographer
• Julia Bryan, National Museums Liverpool
• Michelle Charters, RESPECT Member and Director International Slavery Museum
• Alexandra Creighton, site organizer
• Lisa Edison, site organizer, interviewer
• Miles Greenwood, International Slavery Museum
• Sandi Hughes,UC 2017 Film Support
• Ranmalie Jayawardana International Slavery Museum
• Graham Jones,Owner of Defend Vinyl record shop
• Stephen Carl Lokko, Liverpool Museum Staff at 2017 Meeting
• Jean-Francois Manicom, International Slavery Museum
• Paul McMullan, Digital Content Producer
• Paul Reid, International Slavery Museum NML
• Maria O'Reilly, RESPECT Member
• Michelle Peterkin-Walker, UC 2017 Film Support/RESPECT Member
• Claire Stringer, UC 2017 Visual Minute Taker

Liverpool Participants

• Nicky Blaze
• Judith Cummings
• James Diboe
• Muhammad Elmi
• Howard Gayle
• Rita Martelli
• Kerry Nugent
• Laurence Westgaph
• Olayinka Mutiu Adio Yesufu
• Ray Quarless, UC 2017 Organizer/UC 2022 Interviewee/RESPECT Member

Dakar and Freedom Villages, Senegal

Senegal Team

• Dr.Mouhamed Abdallah LY, co-organizer 2019, 2021
• Fatoumata Camara, project manager,co-organizer 2023
• René Ndiana
• Faye Youssou Mballo
• Yvette Koussangué Senghor
• Ibrahima Sow
• Amadou Thiam
• Prof. Ibrahima Thiaw,lead organizer
• Youssou Touré
• Abdoulaye NIANG,WARC Staff Member
• Dr. Ousmane Sene, WARC Director
• Marianne Yade, WARC Staff Member

2019 Senegal Field Visit Participant

• Younouss Diallo
• Fandièry Diarra
• Louis Diarra
• Maguette Mouna Diarra
• Cheikh Bamba Diop
• Djibi Gassambiri
• Alioune Gueye
• Hamady Konaté
• Ousmane Mangane
• Malick Niang
• Zaabi Ndiaye
• Ramata Sadio
• Ngor Sène
• Mère Sow
• Adama Sy
• Demba Sy
• Samba Sy
• Abdoul Wahabou

Senegal 2021 Team

• Prof. Ibrahima Thiaw
• Dr. Mouhamed Abdallah Ly
• Dr. Aboubakry Sow
• Ibrahima Sy
• Youssou Touré
• Amadou Thiam
• Aicha Kamite
• Anna Karima Wane
• Tahirou Diop
• Marius Gouané
• Jean-Louis Coly
• Thierno Sidy

Senegal Participants

• Amadou Bâ, 2021, 2023 Interviewee
• Faty Ba UC 2019 Field Visit Participant; UC 2021 Interviewee
• Abou Mamadou Ba, UC 2021, 2023 Interviewee
• Mouhamadou Bah, UC 2021, 2023 Interviewee
• Moussa Diakité Bah, UC 2021 Interviewee
• Mame Baledjo, UC 2021 Interviewee
• Alioune Badara Coulibaly, UC 2023 Interviewee
• Dr. Eloi Coly, 2024 Participant
• Baila Coulibaly, UC 2019 Field Visit Participant; UC 2021, 2023 Interviewee
• Dounamba Coulibaly, UC 2023 Interviewee
• Oumar Diallo, UC 2019 Field Visit Participant; UC 2021, 2023 Interviewee
• Sadio Diallo, UC 2019 Field Visit Participant; UC 2021, 2023 Interviewee
• Cheikh Amadou Diarra, UC 2021 Interviewee
• Nassou Adama Diarra, UC 2021 Interviewee
• Djeumb gui Diaw, UC 2021 Interviewee
• Malamine Diaw, UC 2021 Interviewee
• Modou Gaye, UC 2021 Interviewee
• Samba Gueye, UC 2021 Interviewee
• Mamoudou Dembel Guissé, UC 2021, 2023 Interviewee
• Oulèye Koné, UC 2021 Interviewee
• Ousmane Mbodj, UC 2021, 2023 Interviewee
• Pasteur Philippe Jean Baptiste Mendy UC 2021 Interviewee
• Abdoulaye Ndiaye, UC 2019 Field Visit Participant; UC 2021, 2023 Interviewee
• Jean Ouattara, UC 2021 Interviewee
• Sona Sall UC 2019 Field Visit Participant; UC 2021, 2023 Interviewee
• Demba Sangaré, UC 2021, 2023 Interviewee
• Badara Seck, UC 2021 Interviewee
• Amar Seck, UC 2021 Interviewee
• Aissata Sy, UC 2019 Field Visit Participant; UC 2023 Interviewee
• Ndeye Binta Thioye, UC 2021 Interviewee
• Yaye Faty Touré, UC 2021 Interviewee
• Thieman Touré, UC 2021 Interviewee
• Marième Traoré, UC 2023 Interviewee
• Pierre Ngombe Zinga, UC 2021 Interviewee
• Mouhamed Lamine Kane, UC 2023 Interviewee
• Lamine Badgi, UC 2023 Interviewee; Student
• Cyrille Bassène, UC 2023 Interviewee; Student
• El Hadj Abdoulaye Faye, UC 2023 Interviewee; Student
• Moussa Arfang Ndong, UC 2023 Interviewee; Student
• Khadidiatou Siwaré, UC 2023 Interviewee Student

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town Team

• Amanda Botha, Trainee
• Prof. Anthony Bogues, interviewer
• Loyiso Centane, Sound Recordist
• Riefqua Franks, Transcriber
• Melany Fuma, Transcriber/Translator
• Shanaaz Galant, project manager, interviewer
• Carlye Lodewyk, Assist Camera/ Transcriber/Translator
• Nozuko Madokwe, Production Assistant
• Monde Matyumza, DIT
• Nangamso Memani, Camera Trainee
• Joy Meyer, Production Manager/ Drone Camera Operator
• Aviwe Gift Ndalane, Camera Operator
• Ngoni Nyembe, Cinematographer
• Thulani Nxumalo, Assist Camera
• Maganthrie Pillay, Filmmaker/Director
• Katherine Poggenpoel, Production Assistant/Transcriber
• Abdul Azeez Stemmet, Sound Recordist
• Paul Tichmann, project manager and interviewer
• Dean Tiedt, Drone Operator
• Sky Zulu, Assistant Camera
• Masala Film Works, Production Company
• Native Creative Productions, Drone Company

South Africa Participants

• Mercia Andrews
• Jaco Boshoff
• Najumoeniesa Damon
• Shirley Davids
• Esther Esmyol
• Dianna Ferrus
• Johan Geduld
• Jake Harding
• Miekte Hendriks
• Magrieta Jacobs
• Magdelene Jacobs
• Adriaan Jordaan
• Carmen Louw
• Zann Manho
• Ron Martin
• Dingi Ntuli
• Benjamin Du Plessis
• Roderick Sauls
• Lorna Solomon
• Anna Swarts
• Johannes Warries
• Noleen Wilson
• Cobus Wilson

Global Curatorial Project Interviews

Dakar, Senegal Curator Interviews Project Team

• Prof. Anthony Bogues, interviewer
• Mbaye Gueye, driver
• Djiby Diouf, driver
• Lucien J. Dieng, videographer
• Amadou Dieng, WARC Staff Member
• Yannick Etoundi, interviewer
• Abdoulaye NIANG, WARC Staff Member
• Dr. Ousmane Sene, WARC Director
• Marianne Yade, WARC Staff Member

Dakar, Senegal Curator Participants

• Prof. Anthony Bogues
• Dr. Bambi Ceuppens
• Miles Greenwood
• Prof. Ibrahima Thiaw
• Paul Tichmann

Washington, D.C. Curator Interviews Project Team

• Michael Anderson, videographer
• Prof. Anthony Bogues, interviewer
• Yannick Etoundi, interviewer
• Dr. Paul Gardullo
• Fleur Payson, project manager
• Gabriel Soyka, videographer

Washington, D.C. Curator Interview Participants

• Prof. Anthony Bogues
• Dr. Paul Gardullo
• Dr. Keila Grinberg
• Johanna Obenda