Monrovia, Liberia – Prosperity and togetherness are established when a country honors and takes responsibility for its common past. Recognizing the hardships, victories, and accomplishments of the past fosters a feeling of shared identity and direction. Liberia, a country created by emancipated African-Americans and influenced by many cultures, is a monument to the importance of remembering and respecting the past.
On Wednesday, December 3, 2024, a team of 15 scholars is scheduled to arrive in Liberia with the goal of strengthening relationships and conserving heritage. They are coming, about hundred and ninety seven years after the sinking off a slave shop bound for Liberia off the Florida coast.
From December 3–15, 2024, the team of filmmakers and academics, led by Kenneth Stewart, Princeton University Professor David Kushner, Dr. Artemus W. Gaye, and others, will be in Liberia under the name Driving with a Purpose (DWP).
To commemorate this history, the team is anticipated to follow the lives of the Guerrero survivors, speak with Liberians, and meet possible descendants.
According to them, “The Guerrero Homeward Bound” is a crucial part of the search that led to the creation of DWP. It connects with the descendants and recounts the epic and historic story of the Guerrero Slave shipwreck, which took place in Florida on December 19, 1827, while transporting over 561 Africans to Cuba. Eleven Africans died, trapped in the hold of the sunken ship while the Royal British Navy ship, the Nimble, pursued it.
The Guerrero Homebound Journey to Liberia will examine the country’s historical connections to African-Americans and the descendants of transatlantic slave trade survivors who now live in New Georgia Community, which is located off Somalia Drive in Monrovia.
During the visit, descendants’ stories will be documented, historic locations will be toured, and a memorial honoring slavers and survivors will be built.
First up are meetings with government representatives, including a possible meeting with President Joseph N. Boakai, and a VIP reception at Roberts International Airport.
A nationwide showing of a documentary about the Guerrero and journeys of Monrovia, New Georgia, Buchanan, and Edina are among the visit’s highlights. Following the showing, there will be a panel discussion about the legacy of slavery and how liberated Africans shaped Liberia.
In order to shed light on their historical contributions, the organization plan to conduct interviews and film with ancestors in places like New Georgia and the Fulani tribe. Related locations will be investigated in Sierra Leone as part of the work.
According to an activity log published, the tour will end with trips to historic locations like Firestone, Farmington, and Owensgrove to highlight the significance of conserving Liberia’s cultural and historical identity.
The team’s key players include Tara Roberts, DWP Diver & National Geography Fellow, Ken Stewart, DWP Founder, and Kamau Sadiki, DWP Lead Instructor. Nearly 200 years ago, the slave ship Guerrero captured nearly 600 Africans along the West African coast, including at Trade Town near Edina, Grand Bassa.
The ship also looted two other slave vessels, the John and Bona, before attempting to sail to Cuba. Pursued by the British naval ship Nimble, the Guerrero ran aground off the Florida coast after a gun battle, leading to the tragic drowning of 41 Africans.
The U.S. Navy saved the remaining prisoners, after being free by the U.S. government three years later, the survivors were sent to Barbados then, in 1830, and later relocated to New Georgia, Liberia.
Tara Roberts, DWP Diver & National Geography Fellow, Ken Stewart, DWP Founder, and Kamau Sadiki, DWP Lead Instructor, are key team members.
Nearly 600 Africans were taken by the slave ship Guerrero more than 200 years ago along the coast of West Africa, including at Trade Town, which is close to Edina, Grand Bassa. Prior to trying to reach Cuba, the ship also pillaged the John and Bona, two other slave ships. Following a gunfight, the Guerrero went aground off the coast of Florida, where 41 Africans tragically drowned while being pursued by the British naval vessel Nimble.
The remaining prisoners were either sold into slavery or saved by the US Navy. After being released by the U.S. government three years later, the survivors were sent to Barbados then, in 1830, relocated to New Georgia, Liberia.
Liberians today who have surnames like Lewis, Stewart, Clark, Brown, and Hanson could be descended from those who survived. After discovering the remains of the sinking slave ship over 22 years ago, DWP said they had always desired to visit Liberia.
Just four months ago, Dr. Artemus Gaye met with Prof. David Kushner when Professor Malcolm Cory read his 2011 dissertation, “Rethinking Nation-Building,” and his book, “A Tossed American Pie, The Controversial Creation of Liberia.”
The excitement between the two men led to a partnership agreement and this historic journey dubbed, The Guerrero-Homeward Bound.
Just four months ago, Dr. Artemus Gaye met with Prof. David Kushner when Professor Malcolm Cory read his 2011 dissertation, “Rethinking Nation-Building,” and his book, “A Tossed American Pie, The Controversial Creation of Liberia.”
A collaboration agreement and this historic expedition, known as The Guerrero-Homeward Bound, were the results of the two men’s enthusiasm.
Dr. Gaye spent August in Liberia conducting research and requesting government and corporate partner funding for this initiative. Sadly, there was absolutely no support. Nevertheless, the group is expected in Liberia to achieve its objective because of a common resolve.
“We become a lost people if we don’t tell our own story and memorialize our past,” Dr. Artemus Gaye said, emphasizing the need of historical preservation.
By: Wremongar B. Joe II
