"Triumph of the Human Spirit Day" Honors the African Burial Ground in Lower Manhattan

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For Immediate Release: October 10, 2024

Contact: publicaffairs@culture.nyc.gov

“TRIUMPH OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT DAY” HONORS THE AFRICAN BURIAL GROUND IN LOWER MANHATTAN AND CELEBRATES THE LEGACY OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA IN NEW YORK CITY

Installed in 2000, Triumph of the Human Spirit (THS) is a monumental artwork in Manhattan’s Foley Square that pays homage to those interred at the African Burial Ground National Monument nearby

Each year, THS artist Dr. Lorenzo Pace holds an event to honor the people who are interred in the African Burial Ground, and to reflect on their ongoing legacy in New York

This year’s event was hosted by Cheryl Wills from NY1, and featured a site-specific dance performance by Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet; a reading by acclaimed poet David Mills; art making activities from Materials for the Arts; remarks from Dr. Pace, Commissioner Laurie Cumbo, and other leaders; and more.

Dr. Lorenzo Speaks at the 2024 Triumph of the Human Spirit Day. Photo by DCLA.

Additional images from today’s event are available for download here

New York, NY – On Thursday, October 10, 2024, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo; artist Dr. Lorenzo Pace; the African Burial Ground National Monument; and other local leaders and partners celebrated the annual Triumph of the Human Spirit Day event, marking 24 years since Dr. Pace’s monumental tribute to the African Burial Ground was installed in Manhattan’s Foley Square. The event began at the African Burial Ground National Monument with a performance by Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet and opening remarks from Mayor Eric Adams and Commissioner Laurie Cumbo, before proceeding to Foley Square where it continued with a program of dance, drumming, and remarks. NY1 anchor Cheryl Wills emceed the program in Foley Square, which also featured acclaimed poet David Mills, presented selections from his award-winning anthology, “Boneyarn;” a new, site-specific dance performance by Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet; art-making activities led by Materials for the Arts; and more. More than 300 NYC public school students and members of the public participated in the event.

“As New York City approaches the 400th anniversary of its founding, Triumph of the Human Spirit Day provides a powerful opportunity to reflect on the complex histories and diverse communities who have contributed to and built the city of today,” said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “Our African ancestors were often brought to New York against their will, and yet we’ve transformed this city into the dynamic, diverse place it is today and made it a center of global Black culture. I thank everyone who joined us for this extraordinary event where together we could reflect on the legacy of our African ancestors, while celebrating the beauty and strength of our city’s Black communities today.”

“I built ‘Triumph of the Human Spirit’ as a testament to our ancestors’ perseverance as well as their victory in emerging from the most horrendous conditions to attain their freedom. Now, it’s as iconic as The Statue of Liberty in symbolizing freedom and equity for all in America, and all humanity around the world,” said Dr. Lorenzo Pace.

“A city’s public art serves as a reflection of its past and a testament to its values for the future. Each year, the Triumph of the Human Spirit commemoration invites us to confront our city’s complex history and to honor the invaluable contributions of enslaved people and their descendants, who have shaped New York into the vibrant city it is today,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “At Parks, we’re committed to working with our partners across government and in communities throughout the five boroughs to craft a public realm that both commemorates our shared history and inspires us to forge a more just city.”

“On this significant occasion, we honor the Triumph of the Human Spirit Day and reflect on the profound legacy of the African Burial Ground,” said NYC Chief Equity Officer and New York City Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice Commissioner Sideya Sherman. “This celebration not only commemorates Dr. Lorenzo Pace’s powerful tribute but also reminds us of the resilience and strength of our city’s Black communities. Let’s reaffirm our commitment to fostering equity and inclusivity in our cultural narratives. Together, we can ensure that the stories of those who came before us are honored and that their contributions continue to inspire future generations.”

"The importance of remembering the hallowed ground of enslaved and free African ancestors in New York City cannot be overstated,” said National Park Service Superintendent Shirley McKinney. “The African Burial Ground National Monument, currently, the nation’s earliest and largest African burial ground rediscovered in the United States, welcomes being a part of “Triumph of the Human Spirit Day” We are honored to educate the public especially youth about the history and legacy of New York’s African American ancestral community."

Triumph of the Human Spirit, located in Manhattan’s Foley Square, is the world’s largest site-specific outdoor installation dedicated to the discourse of African-American slavery. Installed in 2000, the monument is a five-story-high, 300-ton sculpture designed and built by Dr. Lorenzo Pace. The artwork was commissioned by the City of New York through the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Percent for Art program to pay homage to those interred in the African Burial Ground, which lies beneath the Monument’s footprint and stretches for nearly seven square miles below the concrete and asphalt of lower Manhattan.
Once forgotten, but then rediscovered during pre-construction excavation for a new federal office building, the African Burial Ground National Monument – designed by architect Rodney Leon - is the final resting place for many free and enslaved colonial-era Africans. “Triumph of the Human Spirit” was New York City’s response to memorialize those souls.
Each year, Dr. Lorenzo Pace hosts a community event at the Triumph of the Human Spirit monument in honor of the site and those buried below. This year, the 24th anniversary event was the largest to date, with more than 300 public school students members of the public in attendance to learn about the African Burial Ground and the history of slavery and the legacy of the African diaspora in New York City.

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About NYC Department of Cultural Affairs

The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is dedicated to supporting and strengthening New York City’s vibrant cultural life. DCLA works to promote and advocate for quality arts programming and to articulate the contribution made by the cultural community to the City’s vitality. The Department represents and serves nonprofit cultural organizations involved in the visual, literary, and performing arts; public-oriented science and humanities institutions including zoos, botanical gardens, and historic and preservation societies; and creative artists at all skill levels who live and work within the City’s five boroughs. DCLA also provides donated materials for arts programs offered by the public schools and cultural and social service groups, and commissions permanent works of public art at City-funded construction projects throughout the five boroughs. For more information visit www.nyc.gov/culture.