A Slave Named Jenny

Taking a moment to acknowledge the resilience of our ancestors is essential. Despite facing immense challenges such as the transatlantic slave trade, family separation, years of enslavement, the Jim Crow era, and the Civil Rights Movement, they demonstrated remarkable perseverance. Their strength and determination serves as a source of pride and inspiration. Jenny McLean, born into slavery around 1785 in Virginia to parents from IGBO land in Nigeria and later sold to Cumberland County, North Carolina, embodies this resilience.

Reflecting on her experiences allows us to recognize the struggles of our ancestors and celebrate their enduring legacy. Her story mirrors the strength and resilience of those who navigated through the darkest periods of history. Through the medium of music, we honor our fifth great-grandmother Jenny McLean and all other former enslaved Africans and the legacy they bestowed upon her descendants.