Slavery North

08/20/2026

"You can sense how novel this invention was, and how empowering it was, how humanizing it was, to the people that are being photographed."

A Time, a Place, Our Gaze: Re-framing the Subaltern is an exhibition curated by Kenneth Scott that features early-twentieth-century vernacular photographs of black New Brunswickers. This groundbreaking exhibition was first put on display at the Saint John Arts Centre in New Brunswick in 2024 and was reinstalled by Slavery North in Easthampton, Massachusetts. The exhibition and accompanying catalogue allows audiences to contemplate the often overlooked, but profound, centuries-long black presence in the Maritime province of New Brunswick.

Exhibited from January 29 - April 12, 2026 at 50 Arrow Gallery, Eastworks, Easthampton, MA, USA

Video by Communiqué No. 1 Productions

08/15/2026

We came to disrupt, to educate, and to reclaim the narrative.
The inaugural RRR conference has officially drawn to a close, leaving us inspired, re-energized, and deeply aligned for the road ahead.
How many new collaborations, edited anthologies, poems, books, exhibitions, and inspired ideas will grow out of this gathering? No doubt many fruit-bearing seeds have been planted.
From groundbreaking historical presentations to cultural networking, this is the foundation for what is to come next.
Thank you to every delegate who leant their voice to the movement—your commitment, your research, and your passion are what drive this entire ecosystem forward.
The work doesn't stop when the conference ends. Onwards!

08/12/2026

Unearthing the past requires leaving the seminar room and walking the physical landscapes where history was made.
On Sunday, July 12th, 2026, presenters and scholars from Slavery North’s inaugural Rebellion, Resistance, and Refuge (RRR) conference took part in an essential field trip to Historic Deerfield.
This excursion served as a profound extension of our academic panels, grounding our transnational research in the tangible spaces of early New England life.
A cornerstone of this immersive experience was interacting with The Witness Stones Project—a vital initiative featuring 35 memorials built directly along the Old Main Street walkways to restore the history and honour the humanity of the enslaved individuals who lived and laboured in Deerfield.
For our institute, this field trip was not a passive tour. It was a rigorous encounter with the complex, multi-layered histories of Indigenous presence, colonial displacement, and northern slavery that continue to shape our present landscape.
Deep gratitude to the entire team at Historic Deerfield () and the Flynt Center for Early New England Life for hosting our delegation and assisting us in countering historical erasure through collaborative reclamation.
The work of Slavery North continues. We learn, we document, and we remember.
Learn more about our ongoing initiatives and upcoming events: slaverynorth.com

08/10/2026

A monumental thank you to the incredible vendors who brought immense intellectual,
historical, and cultural depth to our inaugural Slavery North conference: Rebellion,
Resistance, and Refuge (RRR).
Our mission relies heavily on the dissemination of rigorous scholarship and intentional
literature, and these three specialized platforms delivered masterfully.
Please join us in celebrating and supporting their critical work:
• University of Massachusetts Press () — Thank you for showcasing
your uncompromising catalog of academic excellence and foundational regional
histories. Explore their vital publishing lineup here: umasspress.com
• Olive Tree Books-n-Voices — An elite, Black-owned literary pillar dedicated to the
amplification of community voices. Thank you for curated titles that deeply enrich our
understanding of diasporic histories and narratives. Secure your next read from their
digital storefront: https://bookshop.org/shop/olivetreebooksonline
• Black Maple Magazine Publishing — We were incredibly proud to feature our very
own publishing house table, displaying vanguard, high-stakes narratives and academic
art history resources engineered for true cultural reclamation. Reclaim the narrative and
browse the official bookstore directly: https://shop.blackmaplemagazine.com
Knowledge is our ultimate collective armour. Support independent publishing,
decolonize your bookshelves, and keep engaging with histories that demand to be told.

08/03/2026

The ultimate sonic companion to an elite evening.
Our Thursday evening cocktail hour would not have been complete without the rich, mesmerizing, and soul-stirring sounds of The Sean Riddle Quartet.
Sean, Chris Arnone, Nate Gowen, and Haneef Nelson completely commanded the room, delivering a sophisticated blend of rhythm and jazz that shifted the entire atmosphere.
Thank you for transporting us with your music and setting the perfect tone for deep connection and evening conversation.
Swipe to feel the rhythm of the room.
Gowen Arnone

08/01/2026

A vision shared is movement built.
A heartfelt, massive thank you to every single individual who transformed the inaugural RRR conference into a stunning, historic success.
This work began almost a year ago behind closed doors, and seeing our meticulous planning culminate in this brilliant gathering of delegates from across the USA, Canada, and beyond has been nothing short of spectacular.
Our deepest gratitude goes to Slavery North’s exceptional team members—Emily Davidson and Hope O'Shaughnessy—alongside the tireless UMass staff, our dedicated student RAs, EMT safety personnel, our affiliate for hosting us on the last day, and our brilliant photographers and videographers capturing every milestone.
An inaugural event of this scale requires a village, and everyone brought their absolute best. Swipe to see the phenomenal team that made it happen.

07/29/2026

Four days. Two keynotes. Eight panels. Over twenty research papers.
After an intense, high-stakes stretch of academic brilliance, it was finally time to shift into wind-down mode.
Our inaugural conference dinner was the perfect opportunity to socialize, celebrate, and expand our network.
The 11th floor of the Campus Center treated us to a spectacular, panoramic view, the food was absolutely delicious, and the room’s energy was unmatched—it certainly didn't hurt that we got to watch England edge out Norway 2-1 in that extra-time FIFA thriller on the big screen during dinner!

Swipe through to see the faces and the vibrant energy behind the minds of this movement.

07/27/2026

07/24/2026

A profound thanks to State Senator Rachel Talbot Ross, Professor Lupe Davidson, Dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, Professor Mari Castañeda, Dean of the Commonwealth Honors College, and Professor Dell Hamilton, Interim Director of the Locke Gallery of African and African American Art for your attendance at the Rebellion, Resistance, and Refuge Conference. We are grateful for your continued support.