03/05/2026
In December 2025, the Braxton Institute was represented at the First Repair National Symposium for State and Local Reparations in Evanston, Illinois—a city recognized nationally for implementing the first municipally funded reparations program in the United States.
Our attendees included Lakeland Community Heritage Project President Maxine Gross, Jordan Chadwick, Community Fellow and Bowie State University senior, board member Melisande Short-Colomb, and Communications Officer, Sophie Bouwsma, along with Dr. Joanne Braxton.
A critical lesson emerging from Evanston was the importance of grounding reparations work in local history and present-day community realities. Symposium leaders emphasized that effective reparations efforts must be shaped not only by historical documentation and descendant-based frameworks, but also by the lived experiences, needs, and priorities of people currently residing in impacted communities.
The Braxton Institute continues to deepen its engagement in state and local reparations work through participation in national convenings and Maryland-based stakeholder efforts. As Maryland advances its own reparations process, the Institute is supporting efforts to ensure that statewide initiatives remain responsive, inclusive, and grounded in public education.
