Poet David Mills To Speak At Summit Library On Forgotten Black History

SUMMIT, NJ — Although tackling difficult subjects, David Mills centers his poetry around people of different backgrounds including the time of what is known as The New York Conspiracy of 1741.

The poet will be presenting his work at the Summit Library on Tuesday, April 19 from 7 to 8 p.m. It will take place both in person and over Zoom.

According to an announcement from the Public Library, The New York Conspiracy was an alleged plot in which Black enslaved people and a few white working class people worked together to overtake New York City and install a new government. It mirrors the hysteria and wild accusations of theSalem Witch Trials, even mirroring its methods of execution.

Mills’ poetry readings are a balance of lecture and spoken word. He provides knowledge that is now widely known at the moment about American history and West African history. These are facts that bring clarity to the historic wealth of Wall Street, American cultural practices, and other long-standing political structures in the United States.

"Boneyarn" is his collection of poetry about those who were interred in over 15,000 unmarked graves in the 18th century — almost entirely Black enslaved people, and possibly other poor people of different backgrounds. This is the first-ever book of poems about slavery in New York City.

"Without even so much as names to their resting places, Mills gives them a voice," the Library wrote.

This site still sits in New York today.

Registration for the event can be found at the library's website or by calling: 1-908-273-0350, option 3.

Copies of the book will be available for sale after the program.

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