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Wednesday, August 26, 2026
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Mapping the Past: Students Help Bring to Light the Hidden Histories of The Bronx
August 26, 2026
The Enslaved African Burial Ground in Van Cortlandt Park is more than just a historic site. For Lehman students participating in the Bronx Hidden Histories Initiative, it is a place where history comes to life through hands-on research and discovery.
Working alongside staff members Moyagaye Bedward and Alice Augustine, students in the Bronx Hidden Histories Initiative use archival records, GIS mapping, and collaborative research to uncover stories from the colonial Bronx. Their goal is to make these histories more accessible to the public while honoring more than 90 enslaved Africans whose names have been identified through the project.
Bedward, the project's Principal Investigator, has been part of the work since 2023. Drawing on her expertise as a historian of slavery, she helps students strengthen their archival research skills.
“This is a much longer-term project, and we hope to map the lineage of enslaved Africans to freedom and hopefully locate some of their descendants,” she said. “I think it would be a really fantastic opportunity for descendants today to see their lineage and be able to know that.”
Students from a wide range of disciplines are taking part in the fellowship, which was created to uncover and share overlooked histories of slavery in the Bronx. Many say the experience is reshaping how they see the Bronx and their place in its history.
“It is a kind of dedication, and we don't expect it to be easy finding enslaved Africans,” said sophomore Adam Adossama. “I think it’s an honor to be able to preserve the history and make sure as many people know enough about it.”
Augustine's involvement extends beyond the fellowship. For years, she has worked to support the revitalization of the Enslaved African Burial Ground and bring greater visibility to the stories connected to the site.
“We wanted to take care of this space the way that any of our ancestors would have taken care of it today,” Augustine said. “It's a healing space, and as we come, we call on the names of the enslaved people that the students found in research.”
In a recent CUNY TV segment, Augustine and Macaulay Honors student Audrey-Adon Rosario share how revitalization efforts at the Enslaved African Burial Ground are helping preserve local history and create new opportunities for student engagement and research.
To learn more on how to get involvedvisit Van Cortlandt Park Alliance.