August 2025 Newsletter

Dawg Days of Summer

Congratulations to all SOFAFEA members as we embrace the dog days of summer! This sun-soaked season is the perfect time to slow down, recharge, and enjoy the warmth and energy that summer brings.

Whether you're spending your days relaxing by the water, exploring new places, or simply soaking up the sunshine in your own backyard, we hope you're making the most of every golden moment. Here's to finding joy, inspiration, and well-deserved rest during these long, lazy days of summer!

Coming Soon:
Forgotten Patriots
of the Northern Theater 

We are proud to announce the upcoming October 15th publication of Forgotten Patriots of the Northern Theater—a groundbreaking book that brings to light the untold stories of African and Indigenous men, women and children who served with distinction during the American Revolutionary War.

Focusing on the Northern campaigns—including New England, New York, and the surrounding regions—this meticulously researched volume uncovers the vital contributions of those often left out of traditional narratives. They fought at the Battle of Lexington and Concord, led the charge at Bunker Hill, marched through the snowy forests of upstate New York, and fought valiantly at Saratoga and beyond—risking everything in pursuit of liberty and a future they helped build.

Forgotten Patriots of the Northern Theater is more than a book—it is a tribute to resilience, sacrifice, and courage. With rare documents, firsthand accounts, and rich historical context, it offers educators, researchers, descendants, and history lovers a long-overdue recognition of these unsung heroes.

Publication is just around the corner and for SOFAFEA members advanced sales will be available! Be among the first to explore these compelling stories that are reshaping the legacy and history of the American Revolution.

Stay tuned for pre-order information and launch events.

Say Their Name

Join us in honoring the legacy of America’s Forgotten Patriots—brave men, women and children of African and Indigenous ancestry who fought for freedom during the American Revolution.

We invite you to participate in a powerful moment of remembrance by saying their names aloud. Whether at home, in a classroom, or at a public gathering, take a moment to speak the names of these often-overlooked heroes and reflect on their contributions to the birth of our nation. By saying their names, we ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten and their stories continue to inspire future generations. For more information please contact: presidentgeneral@sofafea.org

August is Black Business Month

SOFAFEA commemorates BLACK BUSINESS MONTH - a time to recognize and support the vital contributions of Black entrepreneurs and Black-owned businesses to our local and national economies. From trailblazing startups (like the rising  entrepreneur above) to long-standing community anchors, Black-owned businesses drive innovation, create jobs, and enrich our cultural fabric.

This month, we encourage everyone to explore, uplift, and invest in Black-owned businesses in your community and beyond. Your support helps close equity gaps, fosters economic empowerment, and strengthens the diverse marketplace we all benefit from. Let’s celebrate resilience, excellence, and entrepreneurship—this month and all year long.

DID YOU KNOW?

HAMPTON, VIRGINIA holds a foundational place in American history as the birthplace of Black history in what would become the United States. In 1619, the first recorded Africans in English North America arrived at Point Comfort - present-day Fort Monroe in Hampton. This pivotal moment marks the beginning of the African American experience on these shores, setting the stage for centuries of resilience, culture, and contribution.

Hampton is also home to Hampton University, one of the nation's oldest historically Black colleges and universities, and the Hampton History Museum, which preserves the deep legacy of African American heritage. As we reflect on the story of Black America, we honor Hampton’s enduring role in shaping that narrative from its very beginning.

ARMY CHAPLAIN CORPS

Did you also know that on August 29, 1775, the Army Chaplain Corps was formed by the Continental Congress? This signified the official establishment of military chaplains within the new Continental Army, offering religious support to soldiers.

Benin Welcomes the African Diaspora:
With Historic Citizenship Law
for Descendants of Enslaved Africans

In a groundbreaking move to heal historical wounds and strengthen ties with the African diaspora, the Republic of Benin has enacted a historic law granting citizenship to descendants of enslaved Africans. This landmark legislation recognizes the enduring legacy of the transatlantic slave trade, during which millions were forcibly taken from the region’s shores. By offering a pathway to citizenship, Benin invites descendants across the Americas, the Caribbean, and beyond to reclaim their ancestral roots and participate in the nation’s future. Officials describe the law as both a symbolic and practical gesture, fostering cultural reconnection, economic collaboration, and a renewed sense of belonging for millions of people worldwide.

Upcoming Training Seminar

Are you interested in Exploring Nigeria Genealogy? A Guide to Researching Your Nigerian Ancestor(s) will be presented by Chukwudi Emmanuel Ewa, who is a professional genealogist based in Nigeria ...for more information.

News Makers

• The Society of the First African Families of English America’s Black Tie and Honoree Program is always the event of he year. In case you missed it …some highlights.

• SOFAFEA National Vice President of the Mid-Atlantic Region Joyce Mosley (PA)  was recently featured in a PBS Movers and Makers series on her Bustill family ...please watch this six minute phenomenal video.
• SOFAFEA members and authors Connie Curts, Lisa Fox and Jackie Long, along with Debra Newton-Carter and Judith Sanford-Harris are recipients of the Society of the Sons and Daughters of the United States Middle Passage’s Phillis Wheatley Book Award for their book Forgotten Patriots of the Northern Theater of the American Revolution to be released in October 2025. Congratulations to all.
• SOFAFEA’s President General Emeritus Ric Murphy was honored by  the Daughters of the American Revolution’s President General Pamela Wright at the 134th Continental Congress, for his support and guidance during her administration.  
• SOFAFEA charter member Andre Kearns is the founder and CEO of Black Ancestries, a company dedicated to researching the ancestry of people of African descent. The company launched on Juneteenth by unveiling the lineage of former HHS Secretary Dr. Louis W. Sullivan.
• SOFAFEA members Orice Jenkins, Ric Murphy, and Shelley Murphy were this year's instructors, along with coordinator Lisa Fanning were at this years highly successful Mid-West African American Institute ...for more information.  "MAAGI" - The Teaching Institute is an African American focused event where attendees learn, research, and gain the tools needed to become a stellar genealogists and family history researchers.
• SOFAFEA members were "in the house" during the Daughters of the American Revolution's Forgotten Patriots Luncheon in Washington, DC this past June., including Angela Smith (DC); Carla Clarke (NJ); Joan Cornwall Murphy (VA); Joyce Mosley (PA);  Laura Harver (MD); Niambi Jarvis (DC); Sonya Bostic (NJ); Muriel (Dee Dee) Roberts (NJ); Taryn Kennedy (MD); Terri Allen (MD); Yvonne Liser (DC). We apologize but we can only name a few ...lets see there was also Bill Ritchie past president of the District of Columbia Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and the luncheon speaker Dr. Evelyn McDowell, President of the Society of the Sons and Daughters of the United States Middle Passage. 

For more information

The Society of the First African Families of English America is a 501(c)3 organizations that relies on contributions, and all contributions are tax deductible.