Braxton Institute

09/07/2026

Reparations as Peace-Building w/Sophia Bouwsma and Richael Faithful!

09/06/2026

08/17/2026

The African Odyssey Exhibition at Montpelier Historic Site and Museum is a documentary photographic exhibition interrogating sites of memory in West Africa that were central to the inhumane trafficking of Africans to America. It further explores African American identity, memory, enslavement and the meaning of repair through visual storytelling and historical reflection.

The exhibition is open to visitors until November 1st, 2026!

Montpelier Historic Site & Museum
9650 Muirkirk Rd
Laurel, MD 20708

Slide 4 text: "It was called the DOOR OF DEATH... NO ONE who crossed over that threshold was every heard from again!"

Slide 6 text: At Elmina Castle slave factory, women who refuged to comply with the slaver's sexual demands were left chained to these balls of iron in the tropical sun of the castle courtyard.

06/24/2026

Visit “Reclaiming Our Space: The Story of Lakeland,” a documentary exhibition at the College Park Aviation Museum (CPAM).

This historic exhibit begins with the story of Lakeland’s founding in the 1890’s, through the era of Jim Crow and segregation and the ordeal of Urban Renewal to tell the story of Lakeland, the Beloved Community. It also informs the public about the work of the College Park Restorative Justice Commission, the process of documenting harm, and the initial phases of the implementation of a program of repair. The Braxton Institute is a partner to the Commission in this process.

The exhibition features interviews and artifacts from the Lakeland Community Heritage Project (LCHP) digital archives of documents, photographs and interviews. This exhibition was co-curated by CPAM and community historians. The Braxton Institute is a proud contributor.

The exhibition is pen now until May 15th, 2027.

College Park Aviation Museum
1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive
College Park, MD 20740

06/20/2026

Join us for the Public Reception and Artist Talk for The African Odyssey Exhibition on Saturday, June 27 from 3-6pm at Montpelier Historic Site and Museum.

This documentary photographic exhibition interrogates sites of memory in West Africa that were central to the inhumane trafficking of Africans to America. It further explores African American identity, memory, enslavement and the meaning of repair through visual storytelling and historical reflection.

Admission is free. No registration is required. Ages 11+

Montpelier Historic Site & Museum
9650 Muirkirk Rd
Laurel, MD 20708

05/09/2026

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

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, ...

05/08/2026

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!

03/05/2026

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.

02/26/2026

“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!