What Is the Lemon Project Symposium?
The Lemon Project at William & Mary is a sustained effort to study, address, and rectify the university's historical involvement in the institution of slavery. Named for Lemon, an enslaved man owned by the college in the 18th century, the project centers the stories of enslaved people and their descendants.
The annual symposium brings together scholars, genealogists, community members, and descendants for presentations, research, and dialogue about Black history, memory, and justice.
16th Annual Gathering
A milestone year celebrating over a decade and a half of research, remembrance, and community.
Learn more about the symposiumWilliam & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia. One of the oldest universities in the country, with deep ties to the history of slavery in America.
Scholars & Descendants
Connecting researchers, genealogists, and descendants working to recover and honor Black history.
Why This Matters for BEP
Attending the symposium isn't just professional development. It's direct community work that feeds back into everything the Brister English Project does.
Research & Resources
Symposium presentations and scholar connections directly inform the resources and pathways BEP curates for the community.
Community & Visibility
Being present at national gatherings like this keeps BEP connected to the broader network of Black genealogy and history work.
Representing Descendants
Walt brings the voice and perspective of everyday researchers and descendants, the families BEP was built to serve.
Help Us Get There
Every donation, no matter the size, helps cover travel, registration, and lodging so that the Brister English Project can be present, engaged, and bringing what we learn back to this community.
Want to support BEP's general work too? Visit the full Support page