Goals and Objectives

The aim of the Forgotten Patriots Project is to advance the knowledge and understanding of Americans of African and Indigenous descent who served and provided aid and comfort during the Revolutionary War, and to focus on their important contributions to the founding of this great nation.

Project Goal:

Inform descendants and the general public of the historical importance and contributions of the substantial number of American men, women and children of African and Indigenous descent who served in the American Revolution and are now known as America's Forgotten Patriots. And to restore the dignity of America’s Forgotten Patriots and first veterans, as founders of the United States of America, by honoring these ancestors and connecting them to present day descendants, and to American history.

Project Objectives:

Objective #1 :	Identify and build upon the existing research of the American men, women and children of African descent who served in the Continental Army and state militias during the American Revolution and promote their contributions as founders of America consistent with the principles of America 250.
Objective #2 :	Promote digitization and archiving of historical documents, records, and narratives that provide information about the Forgotten Patriots, including creating a user-friendly, searchable database or platform that will be made accessible to the public, enabling easy access and enhancing awareness.
Objective #3 :	Organize public lectures, seminars, workshops, exhibitions, and other outreach initiatives to educate the public about the contributions of Americans of African and Native American patriots during the Revolutionary War.
Objective #4 :	Collaborate in the development of curriculum or educational materials for schools to incorporate into their history lessons.
Objective #5 :	Work with local governments, historical and lineage societies to establish physical and virtual memorials, plaques, statues, or landmarks in honor of the Forgotten Patriots. The goal would be to give these forgotten heroes the recognition they deserve.
Objective #6 :	Establish partnerships with academic institutions, genealogy organizations, lineage societies, and veteran and community groups to find present day descendants of the 6,631 identified Forgotten Patriots to foster a broader sense of community engagement and ownership.
Objective #7 :	Secure sufficient funding and resources to support the extensive research required for this project. This would involve reaching out to potential donors, applying for relevant grants, and launching fundraising campaigns. It would also include providing support and resources for individuals conducting their own genealogical research on forgotten patriots from the Revolutionary War.

Much needs to be done to accomplish of our goals and objectives in a very short period. There are plenty of ways to help us achieve our mission including opportunities for federal, state, and local governments, and organizations large and small, and individuals and scholars across the nation to aid in this effort.