Richard Cellini, a researcher hired by Harvard University to identify descendants of enslaved people connected to the institution, claims he and his team were fired because they 'found too many slaves,' fearing it would bankrupt the university. Cellini's team identified over 900 enslaved people and nearly 500 living descendants, far exceeding initial expectations. This follows Harvard's 2022 report acknowledging its complicity in slavery and committing $100m to implementation, including descendant identification. The university denies Cellini's claims, stating it cannot comment on personnel matters, and plans to continue the research through American Ancestors. The controversy highlights institutional resistance to full accountability and reparations for historical ties to slavery, drawing criticism from descendants and the Antiguan government.
Harvard hired a researcher to uncover its ties to slavery. He says the results cost him his job: ‘We found too many slaves’
Harvard UniversitySlaveryUS universitiesRaceReparations and reparative justiceBlack US cultureHigher educationSocietyHistoryCultureUnited States
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Richard Cellini, a researcher hired by Harvard University to identify descendants of enslaved people connected to the institution, claims he and his team were fired because they 'found too many slaves,' fearing it would bankrupt the university. Cellini's team identified over 900 enslaved people and nearly 500 living descendants, far exceeding initial expectations. This follows Harvard's 2022 report acknowledging its complicity in slavery and committing $100m to implementation, including descendant identification. The university denies Cellini's claims, stating it cannot comment on personnel matters, and plans to continue the research through American Ancestors. The controversy highlights institutional resistance to full accountability and reparations for historical ties to slavery, drawing criticism from descendants and the Antiguan government.
Trending- 1 1737: Cuba Vassall forcibly moved from Antigua to Boston.
- 2 1781: Tony Vassall petitioned the state for freedom/pension.
- 3 1821: The Guardian founded.
- 4 Mid-1800s: Georgetown University sold 272 enslaved people.
- 5 1970s: Roots adapted into TV series.
- 6 2007: Harvard informally began researching ties to slavery.
- 7 2015: Richard Cellini started Georgetown Memory Project.
- 8 2016: Drew Faust acknowledged Harvard's complicity; Harvard Law School seal changed.
- 9 2020: Jordan Lloyd received email from Carissa Chen; The Guardian commissioned research into its slavery links.
- 10 2022: Harvard released 'Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery' report; Cellini approached by Harvard.
- 11 2023: Scott Trust apologized for Guardian's role in slavery; Cotton Capital series launched; Two Harvard professors stepped down from memorial committee; Roeshana Moore-Evans stepped down.
- 12 March 2023: Cellini met with Moore-Evans and Bleich.
- 13 This past fall (2024): Cellini met with Patricia Harrington.
- 14 Late January (2025): Richard Cellini and his team fired by Harvard.
- 15 A couple days prior (to article): Cellini returned from Antigua.
- 16 Last June (2024): Lloyd visited Darby's grave.
- Richard Cellini and his team were fired from the Harvard slavery research project
- Controversy and criticism directed at Harvard for its handling of the research and perceived lack of transparency/commitment to full accountability
- Descendants like Jordan Lloyd experience mixed emotions of discovery and sadness/frustration
- Antiguan government expresses concern and seeks engagement
What: Richard Cellini, a lead researcher hired by Harvard University to identify descendants of enslaved people connected to the university, claims he and his team were fired because they uncovered too many enslaved individuals and their descendants, leading to fears of financial implications for the university.
When: June 2020 (Jordan Lloyd received email); 2007 (Harvard informally began research); 2016 (Drew Faust acknowledged complicity, Harvard Law School seal changed); 2022 (Harvard released official report, committed $100m); Winter 2022 (Cellini approached by Harvard); March 2023 (Cellini met with Moore-Evans and Bleich); Last spring (2024) (two professors stepped down from committee); A couple weeks later (Moore-Evans stepped down); This past fall (Cellini met with Harrington); Late January (Cellini fired); Last June (Lloyd visited grave); A couple days prior (Cellini returned from Antigua). The article was published on 2025-06-21.
Where: Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States; North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States; Antigua; Georgetown University, Washington DC, United States; Manchester, England (Guardian's founding); Jamaica (Vassalls' plantations); Boston, Charlestown, Cambridge (Massachusetts Bay Colony); Christ Church, Cambridge (Darby's burial).
Why: Cellini alleges his firing was due to the university's fear that identifying a large number of descendants would lead to financial ruin (reparations). Harvard denies this, stating it was a personnel matter. The broader 'why' is the ongoing struggle for institutional accountability and reparative justice for historical ties to slavery.
How: Harvard initially commissioned Cellini's team and American Ancestors to conduct genealogical research. Cellini claims the university then attempted to limit the scope or reporting of findings. His team was eventually fired, with the university stating the work would continue through American Ancestors.