Monrovia, Liberia – A prominent group of academics, researchers, and filmmakers from the United States are in Liberia with the dual goals of strengthening the nation’s young and protecting its important historical connections to the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Under the direction of Diving With a Purpose (DWP) founder Kenneth Stewart, this delegation uses storytelling, education, and cross-cultural interaction to shed light on the past and motivate the future.
At a press conference in Monrovia on Thursday, December 5, 2024, the group discussed their mission and its profound importance to Liberia’s history and future. DWP’s Lead Instructor Kamau Sadiki, National Geographic Fellow and DWP diver Tara Roberts, renowned Liberian historian Dr. Carl Patrick Burrowes, and producer and director Roderick Putnam were among the team members in attendance. Taking place from December 3 to December 15, 2024, the team’s visit will focus on the legacy of the Guerrero, a Spanish slave ship that was intercepted in 1827 and was crucial to Liberia’s history.
The group has a broad mission. First, they want to pay tribute to the people who perished and survived the sad voyage of the Guerrero, which culminated with a conflict between the ship and a British naval warship that led to the drowning of forty-one Africans.
Following their ultimate release and resettlement in Liberia, the survivors contributed to the formation of villages such as New Georgia. The group intends to interact with the survivors’ descendants, many of whom have surnames like Clark, Brown, Hanson, and Gibbs, and erect a memorial to honor this history.
“All the problems the world faces come from people,” Kenneth Stewart said during the press conference, underscoring the wider significance of their effort. Since they have the power to create a better future, I concentrate on young people. By training more than 500 young Black and Brown divers and documenting 18 slave shipwrecks in six nations, Stewart’s organization, DWP, has significantly contributed to the discovery of hitherto unknown tales of the African diaspora.
The team aims to duplicate this achievement in Liberia by creating programs for youth empowerment that include entrepreneurship, vocational training, and scholarships. Stewart is certain that history is about empowering the future generation as much as it is about the past. He said, “This is about creating a better future, not just about the past.”
The significance of preparing the next generation of marine archaeologists and conservators was also emphasized by Kamau Sadiki, Lead Instructor at DWP. He stated, “It’s about providing young people with the means to establish a connection with their heritage and build a future on that basis.”
The importance of Liberia in the worldwide story of the Transatlantic Slave Trade has also been highlighted by the delegation’s visit. The need of conserving this legacy was emphasized by DWP diver and National Geographic Fellow Tara Roberts. The Guerrero and the Clotilda are the only two slave ships that have been found. “We can’t afford to forget these stories,” she said.
A Liberian historian and author, Dr. Carl Patrick Burrowes, emphasized the significance of honoring and conserving Liberia’s rich legacy. “African history is a dynamic repository of fortitude and solidarity. We must protect it for the next generation,” Burrowes stated.
This view was shared by filmmaker and director Roderick Putnam, who emphasized that documentaries may be effective means of bringing Liberia’s past to the attention of the world.
The team stated that it is dedicated to creating enduring relationships as they interact with Liberians in order to guarantee the ongoing preservation of Black historical and cultural heritage. In order to engage the public with documentaries and conversations on Guerrero’s and the African diaspora’s history, the team intends to host a number of events and screenings.
Kenneth Stewart made it clear that his goals for Liberia go well beyond the past. He said that his emphasis on youth reflects his dedication to the future of the nation. He said, “We’re going to find young people, sit down with stakeholders, and begin a process that will create change one step, one building at a time.” But his goal goes beyond skill development to include fostering an atmosphere that allows youth to flourish. “Young people are the answer, and we must help them realize that. They will be the ones to change everything.
The delegation’s activities in Liberia are also extremely important from a global perspective. The tour is seen by many team members as a significant step in reclaiming lost narratives, not only for Liberia but also for the entire globe. By bringing attention to the Guerrero family’s narrative, which is an enduring part of Liberia’s past, the group aims to spark more in-depth discussions on the long-term consequences of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
At his party’s press conference, Dr. Artemus Gaye came to the conclusion that “a nation that respects scholarship, research, innovation, arts, and culture is bound to succeed.” According to him, Liberia’s dedication to these principles would not only guarantee the mission’s success but also aid in paving the way for a better future for its young people.
Liberia is a monument to tenacity, solidarity, and the lasting strength of shared history. It was established by emancipated American Blacks, liberated Africans, and Indigenous tribes. The delegation’s visit presents a crucial chance to respect Liberia’s heritage while constructing a future based on education, creativity, and cultural pride by conserving this tradition and empowering the next generation.
