By Grace Q. Bryant
A delegation of 15 African-American researchers, filmmakers, and scholars, led by Kenneth Stewart, is committed to empowering Liberia’s youth while preserving the country’s profound historical ties to the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Stewart, founder of the Diving With a Purpose (DWP) Maritime Archaeology Program, views this initiative as an essential step in connecting Africa’s present with its historical narrative.
The team, which includes researchers, filmmakers, journalists, and authors, is visiting Liberia from December 3 to December 15, 2024, as part of a historic expedition supported by the Prince Ibrahima and Isabella Freedom Foundation (PIIFF).
The focus of the visit is the Spanish slave ship Guerrero, intercepted by the British naval schooner, The Nimble in December 1827.
Stewart’s team will engage with the descendants of freed slaves who settled in New Georgia, Liberia, while documenting their stories, constructing a monument to honor the victims and survivors, and promoting cultural exchange.
Stewart’s organization, DWP, has trained over 500 young Black and Brown divers, located and documented 18 slave shipwrecks across six countries, and developed programs to train future maritime archaeologists and conservationists.
With features in National Geographic, CNN, ABC, Smithsonian, and The Washington Post, DWP is renowned for its commitment to unearthing untold stories of the African diaspora.
In Liberia, Stewart aims to extend DWP’s training opportunities to Liberian youth, emphasizing that history must empower the next generation.
“All the problems the world faces come from people,” he remarked during a media engagement at the Boulevard Palace in Monrovia. “My focus is on young people because they are the ones who can shape a better future.”
Stewart highlighted plans to work with Dr. Artemus Gaye, local leaders, and other stakeholders to design a comprehensive strategy for youth empowerment through scholarships, job training, and entrepreneurial initiatives.
“By the time I leave here, I will have a plan,” he stated. “We’re going to sit down with stakeholders, find young people, and start a process that will create change—one step, one building at a time.”
The Guerrero’s story remains one of the most tragic accounts of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. In December 1827, the ship, carrying 561 enslaved Africans bound for Cuba, was intercepted near Florida’s coast.
A gun battle ensued, leaving both vessels stranded and resulting in the drowning of 41 Africans. Survivors were divided, with some sent to St. Augustine, Florida, and others sold into slavery. By 1830, many were freed by the U.S. government and resettled in Barbados before being transported to Liberia, where they joined communities such as New Georgia.
Today, the descendants of Guerrero survivors in Liberia carry surnames like Clark, Brown, Hanson, Gibbs, and Stewart, underscoring the enduring legacy of their ancestors.
During their visit, the team will explore historical sites, film and interview descendants, and hold a national screening of original documentaries followed by panel discussions. Reflecting on Liberia’s pivotal role in the slave trade narrative, Stewart remarked, “Liberia’s history is vital to understanding the African diaspora.”
Dr. Artemus Gaye of PIIFF emphasized the importance of reclaiming Liberia’s cultural identity: “If we don’t tell our own story and memorialize our past, we become a lost people.”
Tara Roberts, a National Geographic Fellow and diver with DWP, underscored the urgency of preserving history. ”Only two known slave ships—The Guerrero and The Clotilda—have been discovered. This work ensures that these stories are not forgotten.”
Stewart envisions a brighter future for Liberian youth, inspired by successful initiatives in Ghana and South Africa. “Now it’s Liberia’s turn,” he said. “I hope young people here will help me spread this plan so we can find others ready to take advantage of the opportunities we create.”
The delegation includes prominent figures like Professor David Kushner of Princeton University and Dr. Artemus Gaye of PIIFF, who are working alongside Stewart to ensure the success of this initiative.
For Kenneth Stewart, this mission is deeply personal. “This is my vote in life—to invest in young people and help them make a difference. Together, we can turn hope into action.”
