More Than A Fraction: Based on a True Story (The Book) Based on a true story: Rediscover an extraordinary story with ordinary roots. Thomas and Othello Fraction are brothers and best friends who had heard, and let no one forget, that they were descendants of an African nobleman whose tribal scars looked like tiger stripes. But here they were in America, considered three-fifths a person, and fighting two battles: one for the Nation and one for themselves. Read the true story that leads up to a “guns drawn” standoff, and learn how the Fraction family came to America, contributed to the foundation of America, joined the Civil War, survived murder attempts on their lives, and eventually settle outside of Blacksburg, Virginia as southern refugees.
More Than A Fraction: From Separation to Reunification
Under this mantle MTAFF conducts research on and leads the development of events and projects that: (1) Traces the migration and the stories of the enslaved communities after emancipation, exile, and harassments stemming from slavery and the Black Codes; (2) Locate the descendants of those who were enslaved, who were separated during slave trading, or lost during exile. The ultimate goal of locating these descendants is to reintroduce them to their history and each other. This includes continuous research expeditions and communal events. Developing and pursuing these activities provides an opportunity to enhance genealogy studies into tools for address cross-generational trauma, individual growth, and community development.
From African to African-American: Exploring Infused Cultures
Under the mantle “From African to African-American: Exploring Infused Cultures”, the MTAFF provides additional opportunities to move from separation to reunification. This mantle takes the individualistic genealogical study based approach, and expands to a macro level study by reunifying African ancestry with the descendants of the enslaved community. This mantle explores and celebrates the idea that enslaved Africans developed an infused culture that is founded and honors their original African cultures and ancestry. By conducting these activities, MTAFF seek to assist the descendants of those enslaved Africans to challenge previous scholarship that their ancestors had their culture and history erased, while also acknowledging the limitation of knowing micro level details. Projects include (1) Identifying noticed and unnoticed African cultural traditions in African-American cultures and traditions (2) Presenting and celebrating this infused culture through collaborations and practice. Developing and pursuing these activities provides an opportunity to enhance genealogy studies into tools for address cross-generational trauma, individual growth, and community development.
Museum and Historical Places Support and Projects Under this mantle the MTAFF assist museums and historical places with research, exhibits, and interpretations of the marginalized communities (enslaved, indentured, and native) spanning the 18th and 19th century. This mantle also allows for assisting and working with museum and historical places faculty and staff regarding what they should consider when researching, interpreting and presenting this history. Furthermore, faculty and staff are also presented the opportunity to learn and explore how to interact with the descendants of these marginalized communities.
College and University Support and Projects:Includes but not limited to:
Research on the marginalized community (enslaved) who contributed to the foundation of the college or university;
Educational exhibits, programs, and special events on the college or university’s history related to marginalized communities (enslaved);
Interpretations of African American history as it relates to the University spanning the 18th and 19th century;
Authoring text and chapters for university based exhibits, signs, articles, special collections additions, and university published books.
Virginia Tech University (Virginia Polytechnic University)
Assisting the university with multiple projects including: (1) Research on the marginalized community (enslaved) who contributed to the foundation of the university; (2) Educational exhibits in the Solitude house and the Fraction Family Cabin; (3) Interpretations of African American history as it relates to the University spanning the 18th and 19th century; (4) authoring text and chapters for university based exhibits, signs, articles, special collections additions, and university published books.
Government: Government based collaborative groups and projects that seek to expand interpretation of history focused on omitted and marginalized communities (enslaved and indigenous). Virginia Governor's Executive Mansion
Collaboration with the Virginia Governor with the reinterpretation of the Virginia Governor's Executive Mansion by serving on the interpretation and exploration committee of descendants of the enslaved who were held by individuals who served as Governor of Virginia.
Reconciliation and Reparations Under this mantle the MTAFF seeks to use a holistic, strength focused, and reality based model that expands literature, philosophies, and ideas of reconciliation and reparations by testing the feasibility of reconciliation and reparations. The MTAFF hopes to use these models to develop and test functional steps and authentic social interactions, actions, and reactions that work towards reconciliation. As a part of this project, in late summer/early Fall 2021 MTAFF will begin hosting retreats exploring trauma, limitations, and ideals that set the framework for reconciliation and reparations, as well as testing the feasibility of social and therapeutic methods.