Descendants Forum Timeline

March 2026: Formal Launch

The Clotilda Descendants Association and Kinfolkology formally announce the creation of the Descendants Forum, a growing congress of organizations led by descendants of enslaved African and African American ancestors.

The launch includes:

  • Public announcement of the Forum

  • Launch of the Forum website

  • Outreach to descendant-led organizations across the United States and diaspora

  • Opening of membership participation

March 2026 – March 2027: Building the Congress

During its first year, the Forum will focus on assembling its Congress of member organizations.

Key activities include:

  • Inviting descendant-led organizations to join the Forum

  • Establishing communication infrastructure (listserv, website, member directory)

  • Hosting virtual meetings and listening sessions among member organizations

  • Identifying shared priorities across descendant communities

  • Drafting the Forum’s governance framework

  • Building relationships and collaboration among member organizations

This year is designed to ensure that the Forum’s structure and priorities emerge collectively from the organizations that make up its Congress.

April 2027: Inaugural Convening

The Descendants Forum will hold its first in-person convening, bringing together representatives from member organizations.

During the convening, the Congress will:

  • Ratify the Forum’s governance structure

  • Elect the inaugural Board of Directors

  • Adopt bylaws and guiding principles

  • Establish strategic priorities for the organization

The convening will also feature programming focused on descendant history, memory, and community-building.

2027–2028: Establishing the Institution

Following the inaugural convening, the Descendants Forum will begin operating as a member-led organization.

Key developments may include:

  • Establishment of the Forum as an independent nonprofit organization

  • Development of administrative infrastructure

  • Regular convenings of the Congress

  • Collaborative initiatives among member organizations

  • Public programs, research collaborations, and advocacy efforts