Calvin Pearson, Project 1619’s Founder, Rewrote U.S. History

By Brenda H. Andrews
Publisher
New Journal and Guide

The passing of Calvin Pearson, 73, last week in Hampton, Va., leaves a definite sadness, yet a joyful thankfulness for his life in the hearts of many who followed his unrequited love and passion for American Black History. 

Known for many accomplishments during his lifetime, he will be most remembered as the visionary founder of Project 1619, an organization in Hampton that fought for and won the battle to overturn decades of false American history surrounding the arrival of the first enslaved Africans to North America. As a result of his research which began in 1985, he documented that it was today’s Hampton, Virginia and not Jamestown, where the first enslaved Africans were brought in 1619.

Correcting a narrative steeped in long-standing tradition and trusted historical documents is never an easy task and for Pearson and his warrior members of Project 1619, it was an uphill battle. Their mission was  to convince those in authority that what is today Fort Monroe, Virginia (in Hampton) was actually the site of the landing in 1619 of the first chained Africans from the nation of Angola. Thusly, that was “ground zero” where American slavery began.

Earlier this year, in May, Mr. Pearson and I  talked at a Juneteenth event where he agreed to tell me his story.

I had planned to make a connection with him last month at the African Landing Day Commemoration at Fort Monroe, but he was ill and not present.

We did correspond briefly by email after the Juneteenth event and I asked him how he felt about his contribution to changing the culture and history of America’s first enslaved Africans and the economic impact it has had on the City of Hampton and Fort Monroe.

He said for years, the city refused to accept his research, preferring to allow Jamestown to remain known as the site where slavery began. That changed once the Virginia Department of Historic Resources verified his research was correct and installed a marker at Fort Monroe in 2007, designating it as the official first landing site. 

He told me a film was being produced on his forty-year career which he was ending this year. The film was to premiere at a Tribute event for him on August 24, 2024. I don’t know the status of that project at the present time.

I was curious about the New York Times magazine series and subsequent bestselling book “The 1619 Project” produced in 2019 by NYT and “created” by Nikole Hannah-Jones. That year was the 400th anniversary of the 1619 arrival of the first enslaved Africans. He noted The New York Times had reversed the name of the existing Hampton, Va. non-profit “Project 1619” to its “The 1619 Project” which he believed overshadowed the local work without giving credit to his research.

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Pearson said he had received numerous awards from local and national organizations, but none officially from the city. He wrote, “I have been humbled through the process because I wanted the story told and it was not about receiving an award.”

Calvin W. Pearson, Sr., the son of the late Clarence W. Pearson and Sallie Mae Pearson, was born in Newport News, Virginia on June 2, 1951.

He moved with his family to Hampton, Virginia in 1954. His education was formulated as he matriculated through Greenbrier Elementary, George Wythe Junior High and George P. Phenix and Pembroke High School graduating in 1969.

Later, he studied at Thomas Nelson Community College, Hampton Institute and the University of District of Columbia. He graduated with a degree in architectural engineering technology.

After graduating, he worked as a draftsman with the City of Hampton. He then moved into Parks and Recreation. Transitioning through several entry level positions, he ultimately became the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation. Retirement from that position came in 2005 after thirty years of service.

Regarding his volunteer service, Pearson founded and served as president of Project 1619, which was incorporated in 2010.  This non-profit in Hampton tells the story of the first enslaved Africans brought to the present day Fort Monroe correcting a false narrative. His research to correct the history began in 1985.

He also served as president of the George P. Phenix Alumni Association since 2007. Participation with the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation as a board member, and many years as a member of the Hampton University Boosters Club consumed much of his spare time. He was a noted historian and gave presentations all over the country including the National Press Club.

In addition to his parents, Pearson was predeceased by a brother, Kenneth. Those remaining to cherish the precious memory of his life are his devoted wife, Evelyn, his sons, Calvin Jr. and Brian, his brothers, Clarence Sr. (Connie), David (Elaine), and George (Gale), his sister Claudia Wooden, and aunt Margaret Tynes. Also surviving are two brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law, Willie C. Jones, Jr., Calvin L. Jones and Brenda J. Johnson, and a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives.

Well done, my good and faithful servant. Well-done.

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