ADACI and its partners participate in the drumming ceremony and program commemorating the "enslaved ancestors" from the South who crossed the Anacostia River to seek freedom in Washington, D.C. Rear from left: Senghor Baye, Antwanye Ford, Eurica Huggins, Sadik Paul Lancaster, Okomfo Afua Kyerewa, Nana Malaya Rucker, Laini Mataka, Lafayette Barnes, C.R. Gibbs; Shango Kwame (left foreground) and Joseph Soh Ngwa (right foreground). (Courtesy of Zama Cook)
ADACI and its partners participate in the drumming ceremony and program commemorating the "enslaved ancestors" from the South who crossed the Anacostia River to seek freedom in Washington, D.C. Rear from left: Senghor Baye, Antwanye Ford, Eurica Huggins, Sadik Paul Lancaster, Okomfo Afua Kyerewa, Nana Malaya Rucker, Laini Mataka, Lafayette Barnes, C.R. Gibbs; Shango Kwame (left foreground) and Joseph Soh Ngwa (right foreground). (Courtesy of Zama Cook)

The African Diaspora Ancestral Commemoration Institute (ADACI) is a D.C.-based nonprofit with a mission to commemorate the millions of African ancestors who perished and survived the Middle Passage, also known as the Maafa or “the Great Disaster.” As ADACI strives to celebrate the African ancestors’ resilience, the organization hosted the third Annual D.C. Emancipation Day “Freedom’s Crossing” ceremony, on April 16 at the Enlightened Inc. headquarters building on Marion Barry Avenue SE.

The event was organized by Eurica Huggins, co-founder of  ADACI, Antwanye Ford, CEO of Enlightened Inc., and Lafayette Barnes, president and CEO of Zulu Global Enterprise LLC.

Dozens gathered to pay tribute to the sacrifices of hundreds of enslaved Africans who came to D.C. in search of freedom following the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on April 16, 1862. 

According to author, lecturer and historian C.R. Gibbs, they traversed along the Anacostia River and crossed the “Eastern Branch/Navy Yard Bridge” (now the 11th Street Bridge), a significant landmark in their journey to freedom — also known as Freedom Crossing.

The ceremony included a vibrant African drumming performance led by Sadiki Paul Lancaster, Joseph Soh Ngwa and Shango Kwame. The rhythmic beats echoed the resilience and strength of the freedom seekers. This was followed by a solemn libation ceremony, a traditional African ritual performed by Sister Okomfo Afua Kyerewa, to honor and connect with the ancestors.

A significant addition to the event was the presence of a bronze plaque, designed by renowned graphic artist and photographer Zama Cook, that is mounted near the entrance of the Enlightened building. It stands as a powerful symbol, honoring those who crossed the river and found freedom in Washington, D.C. The plaque also served as a reminder to visitors of the resilience and courage of the ancestors.

“When we forget our ancestors, we disconnect ourselves from the source of our power,” said Eurica Huggins, co-founder of ADACI, at the gathering. “When we remember our ancestors, we draw upon their strength, courage, wisdom and determination,” she added.

ADACI’s Emancipation Day event also featured a program titled “Black Liberation Struggles in Global Africa: Then and Now,” during which EZ Street, a radio personality at WHUR, facilitated a discussion about Emancipation Day with historian C.R. Gibbs. Jameelah Morris, ADACI youth adviser, moderated a panel with Ateya Ball Lacey, Senghor Baye, Maurice Carney, JusPaul, and Antwanye Ford on some key lessons from Black liberation struggles.

Visit adaciancestors.org to learn more about ADACI.

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