Welcome to the African American Maritime History Academy! Here is a place where we teach African American history and culture from the little-known perspective of the wide-ranging maritime activities that freed and enslaved Africans and African Americans participated in during the colonial and antebellum periods in the building of what is now known as the United States of America.
Our courses are for inquisitive students of African, African American and American history. We issue proficiency certificates at completion of courses so each student can have a credential of his or her knowledge. Let's start acquiring new knowledge about the people who created the first global economy!
"Our content is exciting and new! We offer new information about African American history that will help students become experts in this field and increase awareness of diversity, equity and inclusion." Upon completion of some of our designated courses, participants can earn graduate professional development credits from the University of North Dakota in satisfaction of Educator and others CEU requirements.
- Dr. Kim Cliett Long, Cultural Curator and Higher Education Professional
African American Whaling Captains Created the first Black Meritocracy
The history of whaling as an industry on this continent has been well-told. But what hasn't been told is the story of whaling's leaders of color in an era when the only other option was slavery. Whaling was one of the first American industries to exhibit diversity. A man became a captain not because he was white or well connected, but because he knew how to kill a whale. Along the way, he could learn navigation and reading and writing. Whaling presented a tantalizing alternative to mainland life as skills-based system propelled captains of color to the helm.
Long before the horrors of the Middle Passage, Africans had strong connections to the sea and vessels, regarding ships and boats as workplaces but a site of spiritual power.
Did you know that one out of every five American seamen in the early 19th century was black? At the time, seafaring was the nation’s most common male occupation after farming.
Did you know that Frederick Douglass escaped slavery in disguise as a sailor? Or that the first six autobiographies that black people wrote in the English language were written by seamen?
What about the triggering point of the American Revolution – the Boston Massacre? Did you know that Crispus Attucks, the first man killed at the Boston Massacre was a black seaman? He was a sailor and rope-maker of mixed African American and American Indian descent.
Safe Harbor: The Maritime Underground Railroad
Many enslaved individuals, especially those coming from states along the coast, utilized ships bound for northern ports to gain their freedom on the Maritime Underground Railroad. For freedom seekers, the Maritime Underground Railroad provided its own unique risks and challenges. Because of these risks, freedom seekers had to be creative. They could secure passage by locating sympathetic ship captains or crews, bribing those working on the ship, or simply sneaking onboard and hiding.
Hi, I’m Dr. Kim Cliett Long
I'm looking forward to taking this journey with all of you! I'm passionate about sharing the many aspects about African American Maritime History that are not widely known. I'm often described as a "Cultural Curator" because I love researching the history and culture of diverse populations. I also travel widely to immerse myself in primary source interactions. The maritime world is especially tantalizing to me as I learn more and more about it. I'm excited to present these new domains!
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