The Crafting Freedom Project: Nineteenth Century African American Entrepreneurs, Artisans, and Abolitionists

FAIN: EE-50448-07

Apprend Foundation (Durham, NC 27713-2219)
Laurel Sneed (Project Director: October 2006 to September 2010)

The creation of lesson plans and supporting materials for elementary and middle schools on African American entrepreneurs, artisans, and abolitionists in the 19th century.

The "Crafting Freedom" Materials Project, known simply as the Crafting Freedom Project (CFP), is based on recent scholarship about the participation of enslaved and free blacks in the 19th century market revolution, national expansion, and the abolitionist movement. In general, this scholarship has not ?trickled down? to the 3rd-8th grade levels where there is a paucity of scholar-reviewed material on the African American experience. CFP consists of a web-site for teachers, twenty-five original pre-tested lesson plans, and a stand-alone DVD. Ten historically significant figures representing black entrepreneurs, artists, and abolitionists will be the focus of the materials. Their life stories, as well as their works of literature, art, and artisanship will add substantial accuracy, depth and complexity to young students' understanding of African American history and culture.