JEAN BALLARD TEREPKA, ST. MICHAEL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Proposal Type
Traditional Panel
Seeking
- Seeking Additional Presenters
- Seeking Specific Expertise
- Seeking General Feedback and Interest
Related Topics
- Advocacy
- Memory
- Public Engagement
Abstract
This paper explores the on-going achievements and challenges of Episcopal Diocese of New York Black Presence Project, launched in February, 2018. BPP (https://blackpresence.episcopalny.org/) represents a dynamic experiment in the collection and presentation of publicly sourced historical narratives.
Description
The Episcopal Diocese of New York Black Presence Project (BPP), an initiative designed to expand awareness of the complexity, longevity and depth of experiences of Anglican and Episcopalian people of African descent in New York from the colonial era through to the present, maintains a website (https://blackpresence.episcopalny.org/). This BPP curated and managed on-line repository contains both previously published pertinent material and newly initiated, fresh research.
The main purposes of this presentation are (a) to describe the innovative goals of BPP as a growing, publicly sourced and internet-available collection of historical material and (b) to present the achievements and practical challenges of the collaboratively managed project since its inception and launch.
As a presenter, I would like (1) to connect with any public historians who are engaged in similar history-collection projects and (2) to discuss the unique features of BPP as a model for encouraging public engagement in conversations about historical truth-telling. I believe this paper can be presented as part of a traditional panel or a collaborative conversation; I would like to strategize with conference colleagues to identify the most successful format for this proposal.
If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to pass along someone’s contact information confidentially, please get in contact directly: Jean Ballard Terepka, [email protected]
All feedback and offers of assistance should be submitted by July 1, 2019. If you have general ideas or feedback to share, please feel free to use the comments feature below.
The Methodist Church has, in recent years, been engaged in a process of assessing its role in the run-up to the Sand Creek Massacre. That project has generated a great deal of interest. The historian who’s worked most closely with the church is Gary Leland Roberts, who, last I heard, lives in Georgia. He may be interested in joining a panel.