selfattestation

Self-Attestation of Black American Heritage

Section 1: Purpose

The Black American Heritage Collective exists to preserve the lineage, history, and lived experience of Black Americans rooted in the United States.

Self-attestation is the first step in reclaiming our narrative—on our terms.

Section 2: Why Self-Attestation Matters

For generations, Black American families have had their identities misclassified, fragmented, or erased through slavery, segregation, and discriminatory record-keeping practices. Many of our ancestors were denied names, surnames, legal recognition, or consistent documentation, leaving gaps that still affect families today. Self-attestation restores agency by allowing individuals to define their own connection to their family, community, and history—before documents, institutions, or external validation. It recognizes lived experience, oral history, and collective memory as legitimate starting points for preservation, education, and genealogical research, ensuring that our story is recorded with dignity and accuracy, on our own terms.

First name

Last name

Address

City

State

Zip Code

Phone

Self Attestation Statement

I hereby declare, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that I identify with and affirm my connection to Black American Heritage and that I am a descendant of persons enslaved in the United States.

I understand that this declaration is voluntary and is based on my lived experience, family history, and cultural identity. I further understand that this self-attestation is intended to contribute to the preservation of community history, geneological research, and the collective historical narrative of Black Americans.

I affirm that the information I provide is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.