‘United we stand’: Lemon Project prepares for 16th annual spring symposium

Research & Scholarship

Award-winning novelist Daniel Black returns to William & Mary in March to once again serve as the keynote speaker for the Lemon Project Spring Symposium.

Daniel Black takes a photo with a participants at last year's symposium. He is returning to William & Mary this year for the 16th annual symposium. (Photo by Pull Focus Photography)

Award-winning novelist Daniel Black returns to William & Mary in March to once again serve as the keynote speaker for the Lemon Project Spring Symposium.

The two-day event, organized around the theme of "United We Stand: Fortifying Black Communities through Courage, Dignity and Joy," will take place March 20-21 at the W&M School of Education. Attendees may also attend virtually via Zoom.

"As one of the earliest initiatives of its kind in the United States, The Lemon Project has established a model of civic leadership by engaging students, faculty, staff and community partners in sustained, critical examination of slavery and its enduring legacies," said Jajuan Johnson, interim Robert Francis Engs Director of The Lemon Project. "Building on this foundation, the 16th Lemon Project Spring Symposium continues this important work with Daniel Black as our guest scholar and keynote speaker."

The Lemon Project is an ongoing research initiative at William & Mary that seeks to build bridges between the William & Mary and African American communities through a number of efforts, including an annual spring symposium.

This year's event is free and open to the public, but people interested in attending are asked to register online. Breakfast and lunch will be provided on both days to registered attendees.

Presenters at last year's symposium take a photo together. (Photo by Pull Focus Photography) Jajuan Johnson, interim Robert Francis Engs Director of The Lemon Project, presents at last year's symposium. (Photo by Sarah Thompson, W&M Libraries) Participants enjoy a session as part of last year's symposium. (Photo by Pull Focus Photography)

The symposium will kick off on Friday morning with a welcome from Johnson followed by Black's keynote address, titled "We are the Way: Move Forward Together." Black is the author of such works as "They Tell Me of Home," "The Sacred Place," "Perfect Peace," "Twelve Gates to the City," "The Coming," "Listen to the Lambs," "Don't Cry for Me," and "Black on Black." He also served as the keynote speaker for last year's symposium.

"Dr. Black sparked a powerful conversation last year on what it means to build and sustain thriving communities - work that demands imagination, collective responsibility and action," said Johnson. "His message resonated deeply with descendant communities in Williamsburg and the surrounding region, affirming the strength and relevance of his voice. We are honored to welcome him back to continue and deepen this dialogue, with expanded opportunities to engage students and our off-campus partners in meaningful and sustained exchange."

This year's event will feature a number of panel discussions, including a plenary on Friday morning featuring representatives from descendant communities. They include Vanessa Adams-Harris, director of outreach & alliances for the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation; Jacqueline Bridgeforth Williams, founder and executive director of The Village Initiative for Education Equity; and Darius Johnson, project director for the Chesapeake Heartland. The panel will be moderated by award-winning journalist Brian Palmer.

Other panel discussions throughout the symposium include topics ranging from African American history on Maryland's Eastern Shore to the evolution of Black birth in America.

Multiple members of the William & Mary community will be among the presenters, including graduate students who will present their research during a dedicated panel discussion on Saturday afternoon. Other presenters will include faculty, students, scholars and community members from across the country.

On Saturday evening, the symposium will culminate with a unity gathering at Hearth: Memorial to the Enslaved.

Participants in last year's symposium host an event at Hearth: Memorial to the Enslaved. (Photo by Pull Focus Photography) A participant last year's symposium takes part in an event at Hearth: Memorial to the Enslaved. (Photo by Pull Focus Photography)

Funding for the event was provided by Arts & Sciences Dean's Innovation Fund, the Vision 2026 Signature Fund, the Harrison Ruffin Tyler Department of History, the W&M Libraries Special Collections Research Center and W&M Libraries.

Erin Jay, Senior Associate Director of University News

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