The 10 Million Names Project: AI and the Quest to Reclaim Lost Black Histories

We're living in an era where technology is doing more than just making our lives convenient; it's helping us reclaim our history. Imagine a world where the names of 10 million enslaved African Americans—erased from the annals of history—are brought back to life. That's exactly what the 10 Million Names Project aims to do, and it's not just a pipe dream; it's happening right now.

This groundbreaking initiative is using AI, oral histories, and archival documents to identify enslaved individuals from pre- and post-colonial America. Spearheaded by Georgetown University, the project is a monumental effort to fill in the gaps left by centuries of systemic erasure. It's not just about numbers; it's about humanizing the dehumanized, giving names and stories to those who were reduced to mere property.

The project is a collaborative effort involving expert genealogists, cultural organizations, and family historians, both Black and white. It's already making waves, providing African Americans with vital information about their ancestors that was only formally captured in the 1870 United States Census. And it's not just a win for Black Americans; it's a win for society at large. As racial tensions rise and the erasure of Black history becomes a political battleground, this project serves as a timely reminder of the power of knowing one's roots.

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