Welcome

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The mission of Friday Truehart Consultants is to remedy the omissions of history and the miseducation of slavery in the United States, and to acknowledge and correct how both directly impact and continue to shape the future.

Elaine Buck and Beverly Mills

In 2019 Elaine Buck and Beverly Mills formed Friday Truehart Consultants to bring awareness that there is more to American history than the single Anglo narrative. Because of the egregious omission of the African American narrative in our nation’s history books, Friday Truehart Consultants strives to see African American history built into K-12 curriculum throughout the State, and not consigned to one month out of the year during Black History Month.

Named after Beverly’s enslaved fourth great grandfather, Friday Truehart, the firm provides consulting services to schools, community groups and others who seek a better understanding of the American slave system. Friday Truehart Consultants is eager to work with educators who wish to partner in bringing a fuller educational awareness of African American history to their schools, and by doing so become change agents in their schools and communities.

Last but certainly not least, because of the numerous “aha!” moments Beverly and Elaine experienced while researching their book, If These Stones Could Talk: African American Presence in the Hopewell Valley, Sourland Mountain, and Surrounding Regions of New Jersey, Friday Truehart Consultants will also offer genealogy services to people interested in uncovering traces of their history and perhaps answer questions that have long gone unanswered.

Follow us on Facebook to read our weekly “Friday Memories” blog, and learn more about our work to uncover New Jersey history, stone by stone, in this New York Times article!

EDUCATIONAL WEBINARS NOW AVAILABLE!

THE AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESENCE DURING THE COLONIAL ERA IN THE HOPEWELL VALLEY REGION

In New Jersey, as in most northern states, we have not been taught much, if anything, about the existence of slavery and the slave trade in this part of the United States. We have not been told how essential slavery was in the early development of this region and how it was an acceptable way of life. This webinar gives examples of what life would have been like for enslaved African Americans in the Sourland Mountain Region and the surrounding area of New Jersey. We have included a promotional trailer below. One-week rental of the full webinar is available for $300. Click here to learn more and to rent The African American Presence During the Colonial Era in the Hopewell Valley Region!*

PIONEERS OF LIBERTY: AFRICAN AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY IN THE REVOLUTIONARY AND CIVIL WARS

This educational webinar highlights the compelling contributions of African American soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars told through the voices of two re-enactors. We have included a promotional trailer below. One-week rental of the full webinar is available for $300. Click here to learn more and to rent Pioneers of Liberty today!*

*A credit card is required for rental. If your school or organization does not have access to a credit card, please contact Beverly Mills directly at bmills72@verizon.net. She will make special arrangements for you.

Even though I knew some things about “If These Stones Could Talk” before I read it, I never realized how wonderful the book really would be. I enjoyed the great writing style and voice, as well as learning more about this history. Even though there is much that is is difficult to face, the authors have couched it in the context of a desire to tell the truth and to celebrate the amazing individuals and communities who created this history. It is an amazing accomplishment! I am blessed to know Beverly and Elaine, and to be a small part of spreading the true story about African American history in this place. 

Caroline Katmann, Executive Director, Sourland Conservancy

I just finished reading “If These Stones Could Talk.” This work of art, remembrance and history is fabulous. I was stunned to know how little I knew about central New Jersey and its Afro-American history. I learned so much about slavery, segregation, land ownership, loss, injustice, survival, adaptation, and love. I was amazed at the stories of the men who had served in the Revolutionary, Civil, Spanish and World Wars.  I LOVED reading about what life was like for the authors growing up: what they ate for holidays, where they went for fun, and the extended family biographies. There aren’t enough words to applaud this achievement, for bringing history to life, and literally creating a concrete legacy that will live on.

Debbie Hobler