NEWBURYPORT BLACK HISTORY INITIATIVE HONORED WITH NATIONAL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
July 24, 2024CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
60 PLEASANT STREET • P.O. BOX 550
NEWBURYPORT, MA 01950
SEAN R. REARDON
MAYOR
June 21, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Geordie Vining, Senior Project Manager, gvining@newburyportma.gov
NEWBURYPORT BLACK HISTORY INITIATIVE
HONORED WITH NATIONAL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
FROM THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR STATE AND LOCAL HISTORY
Newburyport, MA – The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) has
announced that the Newburyport Black History Initiative is the recipient of a 2024 Leadership
in History Award of Excellence. Now in its 79th year, the AASLH Leadership in History Awards is
the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of
state and local history in the United States.
The mission of the Newburyport Black History Initiative (NBHI) is to affirm Black history and
belonging in the city of Newburyport by illuminating histories that have been largely
overlooked or forgotten, and ensuring that these stories are publicly accessible to a broad
audience. The core of the project is the installation of high-quality interpretive signs in the
everyday public landscape of the city’s downtown for all to see.
The NBHI brings together the city’s planning department, historians, genealogists, writers, and
educators with a core team consisting of: Dr. Kabria Baumgartner, Dean’s Associate Professor
of History and Africana Studies at Northeastern University; Geordie Vining, Senior Project
Manager for Newburyport’s Office of Planning and Development; and Cyd Raschke,
Writer/Community Organizer. For more information, go to:
https://www.cityofnewburyport.com/planning-development/newburyport-black-history-
initiative.
The panels feature the stories of Black Americans who lived and worked in Newburyport from
the pre-Revolutionary War era to the early 20th century. The narratives feature ordinary people
including domestic servants, mariners, barbers, soldiers, lawyers and activists. While most of
these people were unsung, their lives and contributions helped build local communities and
the nation. In addition to interpretive signage, the project engages the public through a
website, public events, indoor displays, lectures, tours, videos, articles, burial ground
enhancements, and more.
Newburyport Senior Project Manager Geordie Vining said, “This is really exciting for the
Newburyport Black History Initiative to receive recognition at the national level. I am hoping
this award will help further expand the spotlight we are shining on forgotten history. Thanks to
the AASLH, as well as the support we have received from so many people. The work
continues!”
The AASLH is conferring 47 national awards this year that honor people, projects, exhibits, and
publications. The winners represent the best in the field and provide leadership for the future
of state and local history. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards not only honor significant
achievement in the field but also bring public recognition of the opportunities for
organizations large and small to make contributions in this arena.
“We are overjoyed to receive this national attention for this local initiative,” said Mayor
Reardon. “I am very proud of the work that has been done by the Newburyport Black History
Initiative to share stories that have been hidden for too long. To have the opportunity to
amplify these voices to an even broader audience is a tremendous accomplishment.”
For more information about the NBHI, contact Geordie Vining, Senior Project Manager in
Newburyport’s Planning Office, at (978) 465-4400 x6 or gvining@newburyportma.gov.
For more information about the AASLH and the Leadership in History Awards, contact Aja Bain,
AASLH Senior Manager of Professional Development and Publications, at (615) 320-3203 or
abain@aaslh.org.
