About

95 Counties is dedicated to empowering American Descendants Tennessee by meticulously preserving their ancestral history, safeguarding inherited lands, and fostering economic development in local communities by facilitating connections with investors and donors to unlock the value of assets left by their ancestors. In addition, through strategic partnerships and advocacy initiatives, we strive to ensure equitable representation and influence in local and state policies.

Projects

• Unveiling Roots: 

  95 Counties will help identify descendants through The "Unveiling Roots" project, which is dedicated to empowering descendants of slaves by providing them with the tools, resources, and direct assistance necessary to trace and connect with their enslaved ancestors. Through a comprehensive genealogical initiative, this project aims to bridge historical gaps, restore cultural identity, and facilitate a profound understanding of familial histories.

  
  If you want to just donate to this program or learn more do so here.

Projects

• Legacy Unveiled: 

  The "Legacy Unveiled" project seeks to document and preserve 200 tangible assets left by former slaves to their descendants, including land, property, houses, churches, schools, and businesses in every county in Tennessee. By creating a comprehensive archive, this initiative aims to empower the descendants of slaves by fostering a deeper understanding of their heritage and facilitating informed decisions regarding the preservation and development of inherited assets.

  
  If you want to just donate to this program or learn more do so here.

Initiatives 

• Descendants Connect

  Descendant Connect pioneers networking opportunities for proud Descendants of Slaves in Tennessee, removing gates to influential spaces. Expanding our mission of advocacy we help to facilitate opening doors to high-impact networking spaces, broadening horizons, and connecting Descendants to valuable resources and contacts. Join us in shattering barriers, expanding networks, and fostering personal and professional growth across the Volunteer State.
   

  If you want to just donate to this program or learn more do so here.

• Sitting Shiva

  Sitting Shiva provides Descendant communities in Tennessee with a dedicated space to honor their deceased loved ones and process grief through a seven-day period of communal support and reflection.
  Fill out our research survey here.
  If you want to just donate to this program or learn more do so here.

   

Events

• Monthly Networking Event:

  Monthly Virtual Networking Event: The Descendants Virtual Monthly Networking Event is a space where descendants from across Tennessee can come together once a month, get to know one another, learn about the different projects happening around Tennessee and how we all can help. Some months we will have a speaker to share on their work and how it intersects with what Descendants are doing here in Tennessee. Each month will have a theme, such as the month of February which is titled “Our History: Sharing Our Stories” which focuses on Descendants telling the stories of their ancestors in short story form.

  
  If you want to just donate to this program or learn more do so here.