Teajai Travis is the descendant of formerly enslaved people, who arrived in Pennsylvania, around 1811, from Virginia, as "free people of colour". The family purchased 150 acres of land for $2, and by 1820, they established a Free Town (The Black Settlement known as Liberia) for Afro North American's, fleeing enslavement in the Southern United States of America.

 

In 1850, a piece of legislation known as The Fugitive Slave Act was passed by The United States Congress. These new laws allowed slave traders and holders to cross into "free states", kidnap peoples of the Afro Nation, and sell them back into slavery. Due to these new laws, Teajai' family abandoned the settlement they'd established and emigrated into Canada, where they eventually settled in North Buxton, Ontario.

 

Born Enslaved: A Freedom Story, shares the narrative of Teajai' ancestors road to freedom. From Virginia to Pennsylvania, Teajai has traveled and continues to travel, in search of the stories of those formerly enslaved peoples. Through his art, he shares an interpretation of those voices who resisted injustice and fought for freedom.  Through poetry and song, Teajai is bringing his ancestors stories to life.

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If you would like to invite Teajai, to speak at at your school, organization or special occasion, please contact  teajaitravisbookings@gmail.com

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