The Society of the First African Families of English America each year honors heroes and legends whose lives have made an impact on history, culture and our way of life, but whose deeper personal stories have often been overlooked, ignored or misrepresented.
Acknowledgement shall be made available to individuals living or deceased who meet the membership eligibility requirements,and whose outstanding and dedicated public service is consistent with the Society’s high standards, mission, and vision.
2025 Honorees
JAMES ARMISTEAD LAFAYETTE posthumously of the great Commonwealth of Virginia. He was an enslaved African American who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War under the Marquis de Lafayette and later received legislative emancipation.
He became the first African American spy and a double agent during the war when reported the activities of Benedict Arnold after he had defected to the British, and the activities of Lord Charles in the days leading up to the siege of Yorktown.
VICTOR BLACKWELL of the great state of Georgia is an Emmy award-winning journalist, correspondent, and co-anchor of CNN This Morning Weekend with Victor Blackwell and Amara Walker in Atlanta.
He is a descendant of Sarah Veney (1730–1843) of Richmond, Virginia. Veney fought for and won her freedom in court, securing her own liberty and that of her descendants. Her courageous legal battle challenged the system of slavery at a time when few enslaved individuals had the opportunity to do so, making her a powerful symbol of resilience and justice.
LONNIE G. BUNCH III of the great state of Maryland is the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian. As Secretary, he oversees 21 museums, 21 libraries, the National Zoo, numerous research centers and several education units and centers. Previously, Bunch was the founding director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
He descends from John Punch (c. 1605 – c. 1650) who was an Angolan-born resident of the colony of Virginia. On June 30, 1640, a Dutchman, a Scotsman, and an African escaped from their overseer in York County, Virginia. Once captured the Dutchman and the Scotsman were given reprimands and additional time on their indenture. Whereas John Punch, Mr. Bunch’s ancestor for his part, was sentenced to enslavement for life, thus becoming the first legally enslaved person in British colonial America under criminal law.
JULIUS “CALVIN” JEFFERSON, SR. of the great District of Columbia. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation’s Getting "Word" Project confirmed his maternal lineage to Monticello families, including Jupiter Evens; George and Ursula Granger; and Elizabeth Hemings.
He documented his ancestry in Albemarle County, dating back to its creation and his family’s enslavement by the Thomas Jefferson and Randolph families on their Shadwell, Monticello, and Edge Hill plantations. Calvin remains dedicated to preserving his ancestors' stories and contributions to American history.
SELINA NORRIS GRAY posthumously of the great state of Virginia. Her ancestors descend from the enslaved families of President George Washington of Mount Vernon. She was enslaved by Colonel George Washington Park Custis and Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
When the United States Army assumed control of the Arlington Estate on May 24,1861, she discovered some of the treasures had been stolen by the Union she confronted the soldiers and was able to preserve many of the artifacts including the Commander-and-Chief Geroge Washington’s personal tent used during the Revolutionary war and on display at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
YVONNE LISER is a 4th-generation native of the great Washington, D.C., is the State Regent for the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) (2024-2026), where she continues her commitment to historical preservation, lineage research, and community engagement.
Her State Regent project supports digitizing historical records at the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University, her alma mater. Through this initiative, she is helping to preserve and expand access to invaluable historical records. She descends from David Charity (c. 1749–1819, VA), a Revolutionary War Patriot of Surry County, Virginia.
PRINCE WHIPPLE posthumously of the great state of New Hampshire. He was an African-born man enslaved by General William Whipple, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was brought to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he was educated and served as Whipple’s attendant. During the American Revolution, Prince accompanied General Whipple on military campaigns, including the Battle of Saratoga and in Delaware during the War for Independence. He was also one of twenty enslaved men who petitioned the New Hampshire legislature for freedom in 1779 and gained his freedom by 1781. Prince remained in Portsmouth, where he married Dinah Whipple, an advocate for Black education.
Society of the First African Families of English America
Museum of the American Revolution
101 South Third Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Fri, May 9-Sat, May 10
