The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire (BHTNH) invites the public to the “The Art of War: Conflict and the African American Philosophy.” The talk belongs to the 2025 Elinor Williams Hooker Tea Talk Series It starts with a 90-minute facilitated panel titled: “Things They Carried: An African Philosophy on War, Surviving Enslavement, and Citizenship.” A community conversation will follow.
Both in person and streaming online, the first 2025 Tea Talk explores how African philosophies of war and cosmology helped enslaved Africans endure and cope with enslavement. Panelists will discuss how these spiritual and communal frameworks fostered resilience, resistance and hope, which empowered the enslaved to recognize their internal strength and resist dehumanization.
The first of four Tea Talk panel discussions features Dr. Edward Bruce Bynum, author of “The Black Origins of Mysticism and Psychology” and a graduate of the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Bynum has been honored with the Abraham H. Maslow Award from the Division of Humanistic Psychology of the American Psychological Association for his “outstanding and lasting contributions to exploring the farthest reaches of the human spirit.”
Also participating:
This panel will be moderated by Dr. Akeia des Barros Gomes, the director of the Center for Black History at the Newport Historical Society. She is also an adjunct lecturer at the Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice at Brown University.
“This year’s EWH Tea Talk Series is not only a reflection on history but also a celebration of the resilience and ingenuity of African Americans,” said JerriAnne Boggis, executive director of BHTNH. “By drawing on ancient spiritual traditions and collective wisdom, African Americans created pathways for survival and progress. The conversations at the Tea Talks will allow us to understand our shared history and the ongoing fight for justice.”
We invite all who are interested in learning more about New Hampshire’s history, its role in broader national movements, and the ongoing efforts to ensure a fair and equitable society to join us for this enlightening discussion. All talks are free and open to the public with registration required for either in-person or virtual options. For more information and to register, please visit the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire’s website at www.BlackHeritageTrailNH.org.
This project was made possible with support from New Hampshire Humanities, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities. Learn more at www.nhhumanities.org.
The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, an independent 501(c)(3) organization, promotes a deeper understanding and appreciation of African American history and culture. By fostering inclusive communities, the Trail works to honor and share a more truthful and complete history of New Hampshire. It does it through compelling exhibits, educational programs, curriculum development and immersive guided walking tours.
A statewide organization, the Black Heritage Trail connects and brings to life the stories of New Hampshire’s African heritage by uncovering and preserving sites that bear witness to this rich and often untold history. Its programs include the Elinor Williams Hooker “Art of War” Tea Talk, a multi-day Juneteenth Celebration, statewide readings of Frederick Douglass’s iconic speech in July and a national Black New England Conference in October. By illuminating the profound contributions of African Americans to our state and nation, the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire inspires dialogue, reflection and action toward a more inclusive and equitable future.