Our Projects
Public Education, Advocacy & Legislative Action
Legislative Project: Washington state Reparations Study
A Brief History of Broken Promises: A Photo Series
Reparations are not charity; they are justice. For 246 years, Black Americans built this nation without pay. After Emancipation, the U.S. government broke its promise of 40 acres and a mule, setting the stage for economic oppression under Jim Crow and beyond. This photo series documents a pivotal timeline in this betrayal—beginning with the Massacre at Ebenezer Creek (Dec. 9, 1864) and leading to the reversal of Special Field Order No. 15, which had granted land to freedmen before it was returned to former Confederate owners. The fight for economic justice continues. American Renewal 1870 is committed to lineage-based reparations study, ensuring the long-overdue debt is paid, and securing justice for future generations.
Public Education Project: Black America on the Brink
Reparations Now: Why America Must Pay Its Long-Overdue Debt
Despite ongoing discussions on reparations, conditions for Black Americans are worsening, not improving. The racial wealth gap remains vast, with projections showing Black American wealth heading toward zero by 2053. This is no accident—centuries of systemic policies have ensured that Black Americans remain economically disadvantaged. Slavery denied Black Americans the ability to build generational wealth, but the harm didn’t stop there. Jim Crow laws enforced segregation and economic exclusion, blocking access to homeownership, education, and fair wages. Redlining and discriminatory lending practices locked Black families out of wealth-building opportunities for decades. When Black communities overcame barriers to prosperity, their towns were burned or destroyed—Tulsa’s Black Wall Street, Rosewood, and countless other thriving Black enclaves were erased by racist violence. The effects of these injustices remain today. Black Americans are entrenched at the bottom of multiple socio-economic metrics, experiencing significantly lower rates of homeownership, business ownership, and intergenerational wealth transfer. More alarming still, these economic disparities fuel devastating health outcomes—between 1999 and 2020, 1.63 million excess deaths occurred among Black Americans, representing over 80 million years of stolen potential. This is why the fight for reparations is more urgent than ever. American Renewal 1870 is committed to ensuring that America acknowledges, rectifies, and compensates for these systemic harms. With each new revelation of injustice, the movement for reparations gains strength. The demand for justice will not fade—it will only grow louder.
Upcoming and Ongoing Projects & Events
Educate & Empower: Expanding American Historical Awareness
Stay informed about upcoming reparations town halls, legislative studies, historical multimedia projects, and initiatives designed to educate and empower the public.
Genealogy & Lineage Verification Education
Partnering with professional genealogists to help Americans trace their ancestry and verify lineage for reparative justice claims.
Advocating for Reparative Justice & Economic Equity
A policy-focused event bringing the public, experts, lawmakers, and community leaders together to discuss and advance reparations initiatives in Washington State
Engaging Communities & Strengthening Cultural Identity
In-person and virtual interactive discussions that bridge history and public policy to drive collective action.
Educational Documentary Series: “Uncovering Black America”
A multimedia project featuring videos on Black American history, systemic inequities, and cultural contributions.