The Lemon Project: A Journey of Reconciliation

The Lemon Project: A Journey of Reconciliation We build bridges between W&M & African American communities. The Project is named for Lemon, a man who was once enslaved by the College of William & Mary.

In 2009, after student and faculty resolutions calling for a full investigation of the College’s past, the Board of Visitors acknowledged that the College had “owned and exploited slave labor from its founding to the Civil War; and that it had failed to take a stand against segregation during the Jim Crow Era.” As a result, the Board offered its support for the establishment of The Lemon Project:

A Journey of Reconciliation. We cannot know the full dimensions of Lemon’s life or his relationship with the College. In many ways, Lemon stands in the place of the known and unknown African Americans who helped to build, maintain, and move the College forward. The Lemon Project is generously funded by the Office of the Provost at William & Mary.

Join the Highland Council of Descendant Advisors on Saturday, June 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for Descendants Day ...
06/02/2026

Join the Highland Council of Descendant Advisors on Saturday, June 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for Descendants Day at Highland. The Highland Council of Descendant Advisors welcomes all attendees, whether descendants or not. Plan to take part in the day’s music, food, and presentations, and be ready to learn about the activities of many community groups. For more information and registration: https://zurl.co/GkozU

Join us on Saturday, June 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for Descendants Day at Highland. The Highland Council of Descendant Advisors welcomes all attendees, whether descendants or not. Plan to take part in the day’s music, food, and Read More ...

Dr. Jajuan Johnson, the Interim Robert Francis Engs Director of The Lemon Project, was accepted into the NEH Summer Inst...
06/01/2026

Dr. Jajuan Johnson, the Interim Robert Francis Engs Director of The Lemon Project, was accepted into the NEH Summer Institute for College Teachers, “The Federal Writers’ Project: New Directions for Research, Teaching, and Public Engagement,” in partnership with The City University of New York.

In addition to learning methods of incorporating the Works Progress Administration (WPA) Slave Narratives into his courses, he will further develop his research project on Arkansas Federal Writer, oral historian, and educator Samuel Shinkle Taylor.

05/29/2026
A Black community fled a Virginia island. Reclaiming their history opened old wounds.https://zurl.co/bwb6a
05/29/2026

A Black community fled a Virginia island. Reclaiming their history opened old wounds.
https://zurl.co/bwb6a

In ‘Pictures More Famous than the Truth,’ an artist amends the story of America’s first president https://zurl.co/Aj9ia
05/28/2026

In ‘Pictures More Famous than the Truth,’ an artist amends the story of America’s first president
https://zurl.co/Aj9ia

"The likenesses of Washington and several others are completely off. It's one of the obvious ways fact and fiction kind of coexist here."

Check out Highland's Descendants Day 2026, happening on June 6 from 10 am -4 pm. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17Un8E...
05/28/2026

Check out Highland's Descendants Day 2026, happening on June 6 from 10 am -4 pm. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17Un8ENoHF/

Join us at James Monroe’s Highland on Saturday, June 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for Descendants Day. Hosted by the Highland Council of Descendant Advisors, this special day welcomes everyone to gather for music, food, conversation, and reflection as we honor and share the stories of Highland’s descendant community. Learn, connect, and experience history through inclusive storytelling and community engagement. Learn more and register at https://highland.org/event/2026-descendants-day/.

The Midwest African American Genealogy Institute, or MAAGI, is the only African American focused genealogy institute in ...
05/27/2026

The Midwest African American Genealogy Institute, or MAAGI, is the only African American focused genealogy institute in the country. This year, you can take courses virtually on July 7-9. Lemon Project Associate Director Dr. Sarah Thomas has taken part in MAAGI for the past three years. Register by June 15 to take part in this year's courses! https://zurl.co/CPLr1

MAAGI is dedicated to providing a comprehensive and empowering resource for individuals interested in tracing their African American lineage. Our website serves as a gateway to a wealth of genealogical resources, and educational opportunities.

Did you know that participation in The Lemon Project Spring Symposium was almost 4 times higher in 2026 than it was in 2...
05/22/2026

Did you know that participation in The Lemon Project Spring Symposium was almost 4 times higher in 2026 than it was in 2018? We are astounded by this growth!

None of our successes would be possible without the support of our constituents, the African American people who live in the communities that surround the university. We also appreciate the support of William & Mary faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

The Lemon Project team thanks you all for your continued support.

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400 Landrum Drive
Williamsburg, VA
23186

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