Last year, Liam Brady and Jasmine Hagbourne learned something in social studies class that surprised them. Long ago, slavery was legal in their city of Medford, Massachusetts. Enslaved people were forced to work, and their work helped Medford grow. But their lives were mostly forgotten. About 50 enslaved people were buried in a city cemetery— without a grave marker or sign to honor them.
The kids talked to their teacher, Michael Coates, to learn more. They decided to take action.
“We started planning to get a grave marker made,” Jasmine says. “It was a way to honor the slaves.”