Organized around the theme of “Undefeated: Black Resilience through Resistance, Creativity and Cooperation,” William & Mary’s 15th annual Lemon Project Spring Symposium will feature more than 20 panel discussions and a keynote address by novelist Daniel Black.

“We’re thrilled to have Dr. Daniel Black as our keynote speaker this year. He’s a prolific author and an inspiring and engaging speaker,” said Jody Allen Ph.D. ’07, Robert Francis Engs Director of The Lemon Project and an associate professor of history. “He will get the symposium off to a rousing start on Friday morning.”

The March 21-22 event will feature members of the William & Mary and Williamsburg communities as well as attendees from around the country. It will take place in person at the W&M School of Education and virtually over Zoom. It is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

“It is fitting that our 15th symposium explores Black resilience as the Lemon Project uncovers and highlights resilience of the men, women and children who labored here for 172 years,” said Allen. “We’re looking forward to learning from panelists from William & Mary, Williamsburg and beyond.”

Established in 2009, The Lemon Project is a multi-pronged, long-term effort to uncover and document William & Mary’s role in slavery and segregation. In addition to its research and scholarship work, the project hosts events like the annual symposium to build bridges between the university and community.

“Since our 2009 founding as the second institutionally funded program of its kind in the country, the Lemon Project remains resolute and committed to building bridges between William & Mary and African American communities through research, programming and supporting students, faculty and staff,” said Sarah Thomas ’08, ’12, ’18, associate director of The Lemon Project. “We hope the symposium provides a time to reflect, listen, remember, celebrate and look to the future with hope.” 

This year’s symposium kicks off Friday morning with Black’s keynote address, titled “What Would The Ancestors Say?” Black is known for 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.” In addition to being an acclaimed writer, he has worked as a consultant, founder of a mentoring society and a professor of African American studies at his alma mater, Clark Atlanta University.

“The Lemon Project Spring Symposium is an opportunity for diverse communities to convene and develop solutions to pressing concerns,” said Jajuan Johnson, public historian for research & programs. “Our team is also creating a space for joy and celebration, which is critical to enduring current sociopolitical challenges.”

Following the keynote, the rest of the day will include concurrent panel discussions on topics ranging from the history of enslavement in North Carolina and Virginia to Black entrepreneurship. The day will end with a community reception, a new addition to the symposium lineup.

“This reception will provide a space for symposium participants, community members and William & Mary faculty, students, staff and alumni to come together in a spirit of camaraderie and fellowship,” said Allen.

The second day of the symposium will feature another series of concurrent panel discussions before culminating with “A Celebration at Sunset: 15 Years of The Lemon Project” at the Hearth: Memorial to the Enslaved.

The symposium is made possible through support from the Arts & Sciences Dean’s Innovation Fund, the Vision 2026 Signature Fund, the Society of 1918, the Harrison Ruffin Tyler Department of History and the W&M Libraries Special Collections Research Center.