As part an overarching effort to tell a truer and fuller story of Trinity College’s history, the Primus Project recently released the first in a series of podcasts, an interview that connects a student, professor, and alumnus for a discussion about the difficult early history of the institution.
The trio took to the audio studio at the library to record their conversation about the College’s close relationship to the system of slavery in the 19th century, how to understand who is complicit with human enslavement and who is not, and the role of lamentation in processing the difficult histories that trouble some of the nation’s oldest higher education institutions.
Primus Project Faculty Director Scott Gac, professor of history and American studies, partnered to produce the podcast with Nicole Ankrah ’26, a student who has worked to uncover and document individuals affiliated with Trinity College who were tied to the transatlantic slave economy. The pair interviewed Trinity Trustee Will Thomas ’86, P’20, associate dean of research and graduate education in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he holds the Angle Chair in the Humanities and is a professor of history.
Ankrah, a double major in American studies and human rights, with a minor in community action, has focused much of her academic work on African American/Black history. Hailing from New Haven, Connecticut, Ankrah’s family originally came from Ghana in West Africa, “a heritage that I hold close to my heart and am immensely proud of.”
“I’ve chosen to focus specifically on African American/Black history, a subject that resonates deeply with both my academic interests and my personal background,” said Ankrah. “Through my studies, I am committed to exploring the intersections of historical narratives, cultural identity, and social justice, hoping to contribute to a deeper understanding of the African diaspora’s influence on American society.”
Ankrah is also the lead researcher on a project under the auspices of Trinity’s Social Justice Institute in which she pursues archival work to learn about the overlooked Black figures in Connecticut’s history.
She recently responded to questions about the Primus Project and the new podcast.
How did you hear about the Primus Project and why did you get involved?
I first learned about the Primus Project during the summer of 2023, just before my sophomore year of college, while working as a research assistant through the Public Humanities Collaborative. Alongside another student, I had the unique opportunity to support both the Primus Project and the Bushnell Park Conservatory. The Primus Project, in particular, was compelling to me because it focuses on uncovering and documenting individuals affiliated with Trinity College who were tied to the Transatlantic Slave economy. The project was in its early stages of creating a data visualization tool to map out these complex connections, illustrating the relationships between these individuals, the college, and the broader system of the economics of enslavement of Black people. We are still actively working on this map and hope to release it soon as a resource to inform the public about this lesser-known history.
As part of the project, we researched over 40 individuals, gathering detailed data on each person’s connection to both Trinity College and the slave economy. This data was then developed into descriptive paragraphs that provide insight into who these individuals were, how they were financially connected to Trinity, and their specific involvement in the transatlantic slave economy. Once the map is complete, users will be able to interact with it by clicking on nodes that link to these descriptions, allowing them to learn directly about the financial and personal ties that shaped the college. The research reveals that funds generated through the labor and exploitation of enslaved individuals were funneled into Trinity College through these connections. In other words, Trinity’s financial foundation and operations have, in part, relied on the wealth amassed from slavery.
What compels you to do this work?
My involvement in this project is driven by my deep commitment to social justice and the belief that institutions must be held accountable for their roles in oppressive systems, especially when those systems have marginalized and exploited Black communities, including my own. Given Trinity College’s position as one of the oldest institutions in the United States, it holds a complicated legacy, one that must be confronted transparently to set the stage for genuine reparations and justice. Engaging in this research has reinforced my dedication to advocating for historical accountability and has inspired me to push for a more inclusive and equitable environment for future students of color. By shedding light on these forgotten or overlooked histories, I hope to contribute to a movement toward acknowledgment, restitution, and ultimately, institutional change.
What was your role? When you dug into the work, was there anything that surprised you?
My role initially was that of a research assistant, today I am the project manager! My time working under Professor Gac, who brought invaluable expertise to the field, and alongside another student leader who had a deep understanding of Trinity College’s institutional history as well as the broader context of American racial history, especially the history of slavery and systemic racial injustice. Their mentorship provided me with a foundation to approach our research thoughtfully, shedding light on the ways that institutions like Trinity were not only shaped by but also complicit in systems that oppressed and marginalized Black communities. This realization was both surprising and unsettling. The project expanded my understanding of just how pervasive the influence of slavery and racial exploitation has been, reaching far enough to touch the very college where I am now pursuing my education.
Like many others, I had been unaware of the extent to which Trinity’s history is intertwined with that of the slave economy up until that point. While I am proud to be pursuing an undergraduate degree here and deeply appreciative of the opportunities and experiences that Trinity has afforded me, this newfound knowledge has changed how I view the school. Walking through campus, I am constantly reminded of this complicated legacy: a statue of Bishop Brownell stands in the center of the quad, and dormitories and classrooms, like Seabury and Jarvis, still bear the names of individuals who were connected to systems of exploitation. It surprises me every day that, nearly 200 years later, the echoes of white supremacy continue to linger and resonate with every step I take along the Long Walk. This awareness has motivated me to engage more critically with my surroundings and to advocate for a campus that acknowledges its history openly.
Was this your first time working on a podcast?
This was my first time working on a podcast, and although it was nerve-wracking, I found it to be an incredibly rewarding experience. Creating a podcast allowed us to creatively share our research with a wider audience, transforming the data we had gathered about Trinity College’s historical ties to the transatlantic slave economy into a format that was both accessible and engaging. I appreciated the chance to bring our findings to life in a way that written reports and presentations alone cannot achieve.
Recording the podcast turned out to be fun and gave me a new appreciation for the work and artistry that goes into audio storytelling. I realized how powerful a medium podcasting can be for educating people and sparking conversation on complex, often hidden histories like this one. The experience has even inspired me to consider creating my own podcast someday, as I see it as a compelling way to share stories and information that might otherwise go unheard.
What do you hope the podcast achieves?
Through this podcast, I hope we can expand the reach of our research, encouraging more people—students, faculty, and beyond—to understand the history of Trinity College and reflect on how the institution’s foundations are intertwined with a legacy of exploitation and inequality. I also hope it prompts listeners to think critically about the impact of these legacies on our campus today and to engage in meaningful conversations about accountability, reparations, and creating a more inclusive future.
Expanding beyond Trinity, our research serves as a reminder that the College is just one example of a much larger trend. Many prestigious universities across the United States—and indeed across the world—have deep, often hidden connections to slavery, colonial exploitation, and systemic oppression. By examining Trinity’s past, we aim to contribute to a broader dialogue that acknowledges how countless institutions have benefitted from similar exploitative practices. This podcast, I hope, not only brings Trinity’s history into the light but also encourages listeners to question and explore the historical roots of other institutions that have shaped, and continue to shape, our societies today.
What did you learn from the Primus Project? What do you hope that your peers take away from the Primus Project?
From the Primus Project, I learned a profoundly important lesson about the necessity of acknowledging history in all contexts. History is not merely a collection of events that occurred in the past; it exists right here in the now, intertwined with our daily experiences and the spaces we occupy. Every step we take—whether on this campus, in our homes, or at a local park—serves as a reminder that we are walking on land that holds stories and experiences from countless generations These stories are embedded in our surroundings, influencing our lives in ways we might not immediately recognize.
I hope my peers take away the understanding that history is not just confined to textbooks or classrooms; it is alive and ever-present. Each location we visit carries with it the weight of its past, and it is our responsibility to recognize and honor those histories. By engaging with the past, we can better understand the present and make informed choices for the future. I encourage everyone to reflect on their environment, ask questions about its history, and appreciate the diverse narratives that contribute to our shared experience. Recognizing the ever-present existence history wherever we go can foster a greater sense of connection to our community.
The Primus Project has opened my eyes to the importance of historical awareness and how it intertwines with our identities and responsibilities. I hope it inspires others to do the same, cultivating a deeper understanding of how our past shapes our present and influences our future.
