In New Jersey, there are scores of cemeteries that were all or predominately African American, but many of these have been lost to history. Grounded in legal, social, and historical context—from slavery in colonial New Jersey and Jim Crow segregation to landmark cases such as Shelley v. Kraemer and the Negro Burial Bill—Cherekana Feliciano will explain why Black cemeteries emerged and what they reveal about exclusion, resistance, and community formation. Through case studies of burial grounds across the state, including Lamington, Lawnside, Little Ferry, Bedminster, and others, the presentation will highlight connections to prominent individuals, the Underground Railroad, and pivotal local and national events. Drawing on archival research, archaeological reports, site visits, and community advocacy, the program will conclude with a discussion of preservation challenges and ongoing efforts, emphasizing the roles of law, churches, historical societies, libraries, and grassroots efforts in safeguarding these sacred spaces for future generations.

Cherekana Feliciano is a family and public historian who has been conducting genealogy research for over fifteen years. She graduated from Rutgers University with a BA in History and earned her law degree from the University of Maryland. She has presented on genealogy and history topics throughout the state of New Jersey. She is the former president of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) – the New Jersey Chapter. At the end of 2019, Cherekana began conducting informal research on Black cemeteries in New Jersey. You can find out more about these cemeteries at her website https://blackcemeteriesofnewjersey.com/.