April 2026 Newsletter

Final Days to Register

for the

2026 Annual Conference

America 250:
Forgotten Patriots A Dream Yet To Be Realized

Conference Weekend: May 1 - 2, 2026
Luncheon: Friday May 1, 2026 Hilton Philadelphia Hotel at Penn?s Landing	Black Tie Reception: Friday, May 1, 2026   Museum of the American Revolution
Conference/Summit:  Saturday, May 2, 2026 Museum of the American Revolution
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Ghana Leads Historic UN Vote

On March 25, 2026, the United Nations General Assembly voted to designate the Transatlantic Trafficking of Enslaved Africans and the system of racialised chattel enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity, with an overwhelming majority of 123 Member States voting in favor. The UN Resolution A/80/L.48 marks a historic shift in the international community's engagement with the enduring legacies of slavery. Three countries—Argentina, Israel, and the United States ...voted against it and 52 abstained.

National Minority Health History Month

SOFAFEA announce partnership with the
African American Diabetes Association 

As part of our commitment to focusing on raising awareness about health disparities that affect racial and ethnic minority communities and to encourage action to advance health equity, during this National Minority Health History Month the Society of the First African Families of English America, announces partnership with the African American Diabetes Association. For more information.

News Makers

On March 26, 2026, the city of Wilmington, North Carolina marked a significant moment in its history with the unveiling of a new state historical marker honoring Zachariah Jacobs, a man whose life and service represent both the resilience and contributions of African Americans during the nation’s founding era. The Zachariah Jacobs marker holds a unique place in North Carolina history. It is only the second historical marker in the state to honor a “Forgotten Patriot” of the American Revolutionary War, underscoring both the importance of Jacobs’ story and the broader effort to bring visibility to those whose contributions were long overlooked.

This historic recognition was made possible through the tireless efforts of Kevin Graham, a three-times great-grandson of Zachariah Jacobs. Over the course of three years, Graham worked diligently to document Jacobs’ history and advocate for his inclusion in the North Carolina Highway Historical Marker Program. The program receives hundreds of applications annually, yet only a select few are approved.

The ceremony featured participation from leaders of the Society of the First African Families of English America (SOFAFEA).  Stephanie Miller PhD, Vice President of the South Atlantic District and Christopher Williams, Vice President of the North Atlantic District (six-times great-grandson of Zachariah Jacobs) participated in the program and presented a formal SOFAFEA Resolution honoring Jacobs’ life, service, and enduring legacy. The unveiling of the Zachariah Jacobs marker represents more than a single act of recognition—it is part of a broader movement to tell a more complete and inclusive American story.

On Saturday, March 28, 2026, members of the Society of the First African Families of English America South Atlantic District  gathered in St. Augustine, Florida, at Fort Mose Historic State Park for the Fort Mose Founders Day Celebration.

A highlight of the event was the presentation of a Proclamation given by SOFAFEA  Historian General Gigi Best-Richardson, honoring the people of African descent who established Fort Mose, the first legally sanctioned free Black settlement in North America. The proclamation was received by Charles Ellis, President of Fort Mose, and Harold Hal Dockins, Secretary. Also in attendance was SOFAFEA member Skip Richardson and granddaughters whose presence reflected the organization’s growing engagement in public history initiatives tied to the America 250 commemoration. The gathering underscored Fort Mose’s enduring legacy as a symbol of freedom, resilience, and early Black self-determination in America.

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