About Te-Erika
The Black Roots Project
Preserving BlacK History, One City at a Time
The Black Roots Project is dedicated to preserving Black history in the United States by documenting the evolution of the Black experience in cities across the country. Te-Erika, the project’s founder, is traveling nationwide and writing comprehensive Black History books for each city she visits.
State-level bans on teaching Critical Race Theory, restrictions on discussions about slavery and racism, curriculum censorship, and limitations on teaching about movements like Black Lives Matter, aim to erase or downplay Black history and its impact on modern society which is why documenting Black History is crucial.
What sparked The Black Roots Project?
The Black Roots Project began in 2023 when Te-Erika, an author and human rights defender, discovered that the Black population in Micanopy, Florida, was on the verge of disappearing. Realizing the contributions of Black people to the town would be lost forever if not documented, she set out to preserve this essential history.
Te-Erika relocated to Micanopy, explored local archives, conducted interviews with longtime Black residents, and examined more than a century of public records. Her research culminated in the publication of her first Black History book, Mighty Micanopy Black History, a comprehensive account of Black life in the small Florida town, ensuring the legacy of its Black community lives on.
Te-Erika then set her sights on Dallas, Texas and in 2024 expanded her mission by moving to Dallas, Texas, to document the city’s Black history. After thorough research and local interviews, she published Dallas Texas Black History UNCENSORED, a raw account of the evolution of Black Dallas.
What is Te-Erika’s approach to presenting Black History?
Te-Erika’s presentation of Black History centers on the Black lifestyle, the creation of Black culture, and critical analyses of how Black America’s evolutionary journey impacted local Black communities, offering a fresh perspective of Black History.
Ready to capture Black History in your city?
Te-Erika is traveling across the U.S., documenting local Black History through city-focused books, mini-documentaries and social media content that will honor the progress and contributions of our ancestors. Invite Te-Erika to your city by offering to host an event, connecting her with a temporary housing or introducing her to local legends for personal interviews. Te-Erika is available to create personalized Black History presentations for your city as well as long form comprehensive Black History. Please reach out at Hello{at}BlackRootsProject{dot}Org.
How is The Black Roots Project funded?
Te-Erika’s efforts to travel, write books and preserve Black history have been entirely self-funded. Your support through donations is greatly appreciated
Creating Black History
Micanopy Black History
Micanopy, Florida is located in North Central Florida was established in 1821 by Edward Wanton, a white man who had 10 children by a free Black woman.
Spanning less than a mile wide, the entire town’s population hovered around 600 residents since its inception yet, the small Black population made a remarkable impact on the town’s history including having the state’s first Black Marshall in 1883.
Creating Black History
Dallas Texas Black History
Dallas, Texas, located in North Central Texas in the Southern United States, was established in 1841 near the Trinity River. Following Emancipation the settlement became a beacon for free Black people who chose Dallas as a launching pad to achieve their greatest dreams.
Throughout the city’s evolution Black residents were often relegated to second class however, the systematic racism could not stop Black progress and achievement. From local gangsters who supported the Black community to countless scandals and mayhem, the most brilliant Black minds flocked to Dallas to create a prosperity.
