Anacostia in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
ADACI
The African Diaspora Ancestral Commemoration Institute (ADACI) is a Washington D.C. nonprofit 501(c)(3) founded in 1992, which institutionalizes the commemoration of the millions of African ancestors who perished during the Middle Passage the Maafa, as well as those who survived. Each June, ADACI hosts its annual River Walk Healing Ceremony along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue to the Anacostia River, under the 11th Street Bridge, to commemorate those ancestors who have traversed "Freedom's Crossing."
This "Freedom's Crossing" plaque commemorates the countless enslaved African ancestors who crossed the Anacostia River. They crossed over the predecessor of the 11th Street Bridge, which was then referred to as the "Eastern Branch/Navy Yard Bridge." It was a key pathway, hereby called "Freedom's Crossing," used to crossover from slavery in Maryland to freedom in the District of Columbia after the abolition of slavery in Washington D.C. on April 16, 1862.
ADACI thanks the following for their support of this project: Antwanye Ford, the president and CEO of Enlightened Inc.; Lafayette Barnes, the president and CEO of
this page online
Erected by African Diaspora Ancestral Commemoration Institute.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Bridges & Viaducts • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 16, 1862.
Location. 38° 52.037′ N, 76° 59.306′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Anacostia. It is on Marion Barry Avenue Southeast east of Martin Luther King Jr Avenue Southeast, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1203 Marion Barry Ave SE, Washington DC 20020, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are
Also see . . . About Us page on ADACI's site.
Our purpose is to institutionalize the commemoration of the millions of African ancestors- men, women and children, who perished during the Middle Passage the Maafa, as well as those who survived. We do this through the observance of ceremonies and artistic, educational, and cultural activities. We acknowledge our ancestors in a progressive way through annual commemorations which include: conferences/empowerment workshops, academic/educational lectures and presentations, film festivals, senior citizens cultural festivals, and artistic/cultural presentations.(Submitted on February 21, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
As an educational, cultural and spiritual organization, ADACI creates innovative programs using the arts and education as powerful tools for transformation and spiritual development.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 48 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 21, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
