Braxton Institute

https://www.braxtoninstitute.org/blog/2026/3/28/addressing-the-gravest-crime-against-humanity-ritual-remembrance-and-repair

Addressing the Gravest Crime Against Humanity: Ritual, Remembrance, and Repair — Braxton Institute We share the following excerpted remarks by Dr. Joanne Braxton originally delivered as a keynote address entitled “Crossing Consciousness: Birthing Deep River” at Black Liberation in the Americas , Biennial Conference of the Collegium for African American Research at the University of Muenster, ...

The Braxton Institute is a proud contributor to “Reclaiming Our Space: The Story of Lakeland,” a documentary exhibition at the College Park Aviation Museum (CPAM). Featuring interviews and artifacts from the Lakeland Community Heritage Project (LCHP) digital archives, this exhibition was co-curated by CPAM and community historians.

Join us for two upcoming events to celebrate the opening of the exhibition and to support the LCHP:

Friday, May 15th, 5-7pm - "Reclaiming Our Space: The Story of Lakeland" Exhibition Opening Reception

Saturday, May 16th, 11am-3pm - "Celebrating Lakeland" Community Day

Both events will be held at the College Park Aviation Museum. We look forward to seeing you there!

In December 2025, the Braxton Institute was represented at the First Repair National Symposium for State and Local Reparations in Evanston, Illinois—a city recognized nationally for implementing the first municipally funded reparations program in the United States.

Our attendees included Lakeland Community Heritage Project President Maxine Gross, Jordan Chadwick, Community Fellow and Bowie State University senior, board member Melisande Short-Colomb, and Communications Officer, Sophie Bouwsma, along with Dr. Joanne Braxton.

A critical lesson emerging from Evanston was the importance of grounding reparations work in local history and present-day community realities. Symposium leaders emphasized that effective reparations efforts must be shaped not only by historical documentation and descendant-based frameworks, but also by the lived experiences, needs, and priorities of people currently residing in impacted communities.

The Braxton Institute continues to deepen its engagement in state and local reparations work through participation in national convenings and Maryland-based stakeholder efforts. As Maryland advances its own reparations process, the Institute is supporting efforts to ensure that statewide initiatives remain responsive, inclusive, and grounded in public education.

“Black-Eyed Susans for Repair,” a new coalition of Maryland reparations advocates named for the vibrant and resilient state flower of Maryland, convened for the first time on February 9, 2026.

In the words of Dr. Joanne Braxton, the convener: “One thing about a Black-Eyed Susan, when you see one, you never see one alone, you see a whole bunch! We are here today at this gathering because of those who came before us, for the beauty of those who struggle alongside us, and also for those who will follow.”

The Braxton Institute hosted the gathering which brought together reparations advocates, organizers, researchers, and descendant-community leaders from across Maryland. Stay tuned for the next convening in May!

https://www.braxtoninstitute.org/blog/2026/1/22/maryland-lynching-truth-and-reconciliation-commission-makes-history

Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission Makes History — Braxton Institute The Braxton Institute celebrates the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission (MLTRC) , the first state-sponsored effort in the United States to investigate, document, and reckon with the history of racial terror lynchings . The Commission’s Final Report was submitted to th

https://www.braxtoninstitute.org/blog/2026/1/22/historic-override-paves-the-way-for-maryland-reparations-commission-to-lead-and-to-serve

Historic Override Paves the Way for Maryland Reparations Commission to Lead and to Serve — Braxton Institute By Joanne M. Braxton, PhD. Founder and CEO, Braxton Institute

https://www.braxtoninstitute.org/blog/2026/1/12/advancing-reparations-through-shared-learning-and-community-engagement

Advancing Reparations Through Shared Learning and Community Engagement — Braxton Institute Recently, the Braxton Institute was represented at the  First Repair National Symposium for State and Local Reparations  in Evanston, Illinois—a city recognized nationally for implementing the first municipally funded reparations program in the United States.

Proud to share some very good news about one of the Braxton Institute's most important partnerships --- with the Decolonizing Wealth Project!

News — Decolonizing Wealth Project DECOLONIZING WEALTH PROJECT SURPASSES $12M INVESTMENT IN REPARATIONS MOVEMENT WITH LATEST CASE FOR REPARATIONS GRANTS