Our Mission

We are a community of scholar-activists who collaborate with partners across sectors to contribute research and historical context in support of today’s global anti-slavery movements. We are equally committed to using the same tools to confront and challenge the legacies of enslavement in the U.S. today, including white supremacy, mass incarceration, police violence, economic injustice, and more.

HAS Definition of Slavery

Our agreed-upon definition of slavery is when people are forced to work against their will for the profit of others.

Our Motto

Using History to Make Slavery History

Our History

HAS was founded by James Brewer Stewart in January 2011.

Co-Directors

Matthew Mason, Brigham Young University

Elizabeth Swanson, Babson College

Staff

Nicole H. Scalessa, Director of Communications, haswebsitemanager@gmail.com

Board

• Jason Allen, New Jersey Council for the Humanities
• Nikki Berg Burin, University of North Dakota
• Stacey Jewell, Whoisstolen
• Talitha LeFlouria, University of Virginia
• Olivette Otelle, Bath Spa University
• Randall Miller, St. Joseph’s University
• Stephen Rozman, Tougaloo College
• Zoe Trodd, University of Nottingham
• Ben Wright, University of Texas at Dallas
• Robert Wright, Augustana University

Read more about our Board.