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Check out our Terms & Agreement page before you apply here >>
Ready to join our Team? Make sure you check out the Terms and Agreement before applying here. >>
Halito and Welcome
As the creator of Trace Thy Roots, I am launching this program with intention and discernment.
For more than 15 years, I have independently collected and preserved thousands of historical newspapers, photographs, and documents that tell the real, unfiltered story of our Ancestors. Since entering public media in 2009, I have watched vital historical information disappear, be altered, or be deliberately rewritten across the world wide web. That reality made it clear to me that preservation without protection is not enough.
Trace Thy Roots exists to safeguard Indigenous Black American history as documented record — not opinion, not trend, and not performance. The materials housed here are not open for reinterpretation, dilution, or narrative reshaping.
At this stage, the scope and weight of the archive require assistance — but not from everyone.
This program is for those who understand that historical work demands discipline, restraint, and respect for lineage. Access is granted based on alignment, integrity, and the ability to follow established research and conduct standards.
In exchange for assisting with the organization, documentation, and preservation of these records, I will cover the cost of the ISBN, Copyright registration, and Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN). Those who complete the process in good standing will be listed as the author on the cover and formally registered with the Library of Congress.
This is not a content-creation opportunity.
This is not a platform for personal branding.
This is not an open forum.
It is a protected historical collaboration. Participation is a responsibility — not a privilege to be tested.
Community Historian Society Collaborative Publishing Partnership Program
Code of Conduct & Participation Standards
The Community Historian Society Collaborative Publishing Partnership Program exists to protect, document, and publish Black American history with accuracy, care, and integrity. Participation in this program is a privilege—not an entitlement.
All accepted participants are expected to uphold the following standards.
Handle historical records, oral histories, images, and documents with care and respect
Accurately represent sources without fabrication, embellishment, or misrepresentation
Preserve context when transcribing, summarizing, or interpreting historical material
Acknowledge uncertainty where records are incomplete or inconclusive
Any form of fabrication, falsification, or intentional distortion of historical material is grounds for immediate removal.
- Respect privacy, sensitivity, and community boundaries when working with family or community histories
Avoid exploiting stories, trauma, or ancestral records for personal gain or recognition
Follow all guidance provided during training related to documentation standards
- Cite sources accurately when required.
Plagiarism—whether from published works, private collections, or other participants—is strictly prohibited.
This is a collaborative environment rooted in mutual respect.
Participants are expected to:
Communicate professionally and respectfully with editors, coordinators, and fellow contributors
Receive feedback without hostility or defensiveness
Refrain from disruptive behavior, gossip, or undermining the work of others
Respect leadership decisions and publishing direction once training is completed
Disagreements should be handled constructively and privately through designated channels.
Attend mandatory meetings twice per month (virtual or otherwise specified)
Complete assigned tasks in a timely manner
Notify program leadership in advance if deadlines cannot be met
Follow publishing timelines, formatting standards, and editorial guidance
Repeated failure to participate or communicate may result in removal from the program.
All collaborative work produced within this program:
Is part of a collective historical preservation effort
May not be removed, republished, or repurposed independently without written permission
Must credit the Community Historian Society and associated publishing entities where required
Participants may not claim sole ownership of collaborative materials unless explicitly agreed upon in writing.
This program centers Indigenous Black American history, lineage, and documentation. Participants are expected to:
Respect the mission and scope of the work
Avoid redirecting the project toward unrelated personal, political, or ideological agendas
Honor the lived experiences and ancestral memory of the communities represented
Those seeking to debate, dilute, or derail the program’s purpose are not a good fit.
Plagiarism or fabrication
Misrepresentation of sources
Repeated failure to meet participation requirements
Disrespectful or disruptive behavior
Violation of confidentiality or ethical guidelines
Removal decisions are made at the discretion of program leadership and are final.
By participating in the Community Historian Society Collaborative Publishing Partnership Program, you affirm that you are committed to truth, discipline, respect, and collective preservation—not shortcuts, notoriety, or personal agendas.
We are not just publishing history.
We are protecting it.
This program is intended for individuals committed to documenting and preserving Indigenous Black American history with accuracy, discipline, and respect for lineage. Acceptance is selective and based on alignment with the mission, not public visibility or credentials alone.
No. This is a protected historical collaboration, not an open community or discussion forum. Access to materials and participation is granted only to those accepted into the program and who agree to uphold the Code of Conduct.
You will contribute as a historian and author within established research and documentation standards. Materials are not open for reinterpretation, narrative reshaping, or ideological revision. Accuracy and preservation take priority over personal perspective.
No. This program is not a content-creation pipeline or branding opportunity. Any use of materials outside the scope of the partnership must receive prior approval and follow the terms outlined in the Code of Conduct.
Participants who complete the process in good standing will be listed as the author on the cover and formally registered with the Library of Congress. Trace Thy Roots retains stewardship of the archive and oversight of publication standards.
Yes. Trace Thy Roots covers the cost of the ISBN, Copyright registration, and Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) for approved partnership publications, provided all conduct and documentation standards are met.
Violations may result in immediate removal from the program and revocation of access to materials. This archive exists to be protected. Conduct that compromises trust, accuracy, or lineage integrity will not be tolerated.
Because Indigenous Black American history has been erased, rewritten, and exploited for centuries. This program exists to preserve record, not recreate harm. Boundaries are essential to ensure the archive remains accurate, protected, and intact for future generations.
Yes. Participation in the Trace Thy Roots Community Historian Society does not restrict you from publishing your own personal work outside of this program.
However, any material, records, research, or access provided through the Partnership Program may not be used in outside publications unless explicitly approved and properly documented according to program guidelines.
If you are interested in publishing a personal book that is not connected to the Community Historian Society archive, you may do so independently through our publishing services.
🔗 Learn more about personal publishing options here:
[Book Publishing Services]
LET'S AGREE
We are transparent. To keep all parties on the same page, make sure you check out our Terms and Agreement page before you apply.
READY TO JOIN?
Ready to join our Team? Make sure you check out the Terms and Agreement before applying.
OVERVIEW
Return to the main page for summary of the Partnership Program.
