Revival: A Slave Narrative Reawakened

General admission registration opens Sept. 2.

Presented in Partnership with Karamu House

Hosted in the Church Hall at the Historic St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ohio City

Join us for a moving afternoon of performance and reflection as the Karamu House Ensemble breathes life into the 1855 slave narrative of John Swanson Jacobs—an extraordinary account nearly forgotten by history, but recently rediscovered by Jonathan D. S. Schroeder in his Anisfield-Wolf Book Award winning text, The United States Governed by Six Hundred Thousand Despots: A True Story of Slavery; A Rediscovered Narrative, with a Full Biography.

Set at St. John's Episcopal Church, a sacred site deeply tied to Cleveland’s Underground Railroad legacy, this event offers a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring power of Jacobs’ words.

Scholar Jonathan D. S. Schroeder will provide historical context and insight, helping audiences understand the significance of Jacobs’ life in the wake of enslavement. Whether you're new to this history or deeply engaged in 19th-Century African American Literature, this performance invites you to witness a revival of John Swanson Jacobs’ words as he denounces slavery, critiques America’s founding documents, and shares his own personal story of escape and resilience.

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Registration is free but required. There will be a standby line at the venue; if there is available space, people will be seated on a first come, first served basis.

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Host or Publisher Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards