Legacy & lessons of the Bray schools

Uncover the hidden legacy of the Bray Schools and the Black voices left out of history.

Throughout the eighteenth century, the Associates of Dr. Bray, an Anglican charitable group, funded schools in British North America for the education of free and enslaved Black children. These ‘Bray Schools’ taught basic literacy, sewing and etiquette, with the underlying aim of religious conversion and social control. While presented as benevolent, the schools were deeply entangled with the maintenance of slavery and colonial power.

In this talk, Nicole Brown, PhD Candidate in American Studies at William & Mary, will explore the complex legacy of the Associates of Dr. Bray and their connection to the Bishop of London. Drawing on research in collections at Oxford and Lambeth Palace Library, she will focus on re-centering the lives and voices of the Black children educated in these schools—voices often excluded from the archive. Her talk will invite audiences to consider how historic collections can support contemporary work in social justice and historical recovery.

This event is part of our year-round Black History 365 series, which re-examines established narratives and brings to light the experiences of those historically marginalised.

About the speaker

Nicole Brown is an award-winning author, living history expert, and a PhD Candidate in American Studies at William & Mary; she was previously a Program Design Manager at The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Her ongoing academic research analyses Black literacy in the Atlantic World via interdisciplinary and descendant-engaged scholarship. Brown’s work as a museum professional has taken her across the globe, presenting on interpretive techniques for “hard” histories at museums and historic sites in the United States. Brown recently co-edited a book entitled The Williamsburg Bray School, 1760-1774: A History Through Records, Reflections, and Rediscovery.

Event details

• This talk is part of the Black History 365 talk series.
• This event is suitable for ages 16+.