ROOTED IN HISTORY
COMMITED TO FREEDOM
The Paul Cuffee Abolitionist Center is a grassroots 501(c)(3) advocacy and educational organisation based in Sumter, South Carolina.
Established on April 17, 2020, PCAC provides education, support, and information on the abolitionist movement from past to present.
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Who We Are
PCAC was created to preserve abolitionist history while supporting the continuing movement against slavery and involuntary servitude.
We help people understand that abolition is not only a chapter from the past. It remains an active movement involving constitutional reform, public education, policy advocacy, community organising, and cultural expression.
Our work connects historical knowledge with present-day action. Through educational resources, workshops, podcasts, music, spoken word, and partnerships, we help make abolitionist information accessible to communities across the country.
FROM EDUCATION TO ACTION
Our Story
The Paul Cuffee Abolitionist Center was founded in 2020 by celebrated abolitionist activists and nationally known spoken-word artists Max Parthas and Tribal Raine.
Together, they bring more than 40 years of experience in community service, arts, culture, education, policy advocacy, and community organising.
The Center was established to create a dedicated space for abolitionist education and action. Since its founding, PCAC has sponsored and supported projects addressing constitutional slavery, prison labor, involuntary servitude, abolitionist history, political education, and the experiences of directly affected people.
PCAC has provided educational information and data to advocates, legislators, policymakers, faith communities, community organisations, and national coalitions working on abolition legislation and policy solutions.
The Center also recognises the power of art as an educational tool. Music, poetry, spoken word, podcasts, interviews, and storytelling are central to PCAC’s work because they help people understand history intellectually, emotionally, and culturally.
Abolition is not only history
Many people believe slavery ended completely with the Thirteenth Amendment. However, the amendment retained an exception allowing slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime.
This exception continues to influence conversations about prison labor, incarceration, constitutional rights, and state and federal abolition efforts.
PCAC helps people understand this history and its present-day consequences. Our purpose is to provide accurate information, encourage constitutional literacy, support public dialogue, and help communities participate in the continuing movement for abolition.
Constitutional Literacy
Understanding rights, history and the constitutions as tools for freedom
Directly Affected Voices
Centering those with lived experience to lead and shape change.
Community Education
Building informed communities for a more just and equitable future.
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Co-Founder and Acting Director
MAX PARTHAS
Max Parthas is a nationally known spoken-word artist, slavery abolitionist, educator, organiser, and policy advocate.
He served for seven years as National Campaign Coordinator for the Abolish Slavery National Network and has worked closely with advocates, community organisations, legislators, policymakers, artists, and incarcerated organisers throughout the United States.
Max is also a host and executive producer of Abolition Today and a writer and producer with Maximum Impact Poetry.
His work combines history, constitutional literacy, community education, public policy, and creative expression.
Co-Founder
TRIBAL RAINE
Tribal Raine is a nationally known spoken-word artist, slavery abolitionist, cultural educator, and community advocate.
Through poetry, performance, education, and organising, she has helped bring abolitionist history and contemporary social issues to audiences across the country.
Tribal is a descendant of Paul Cuffee, whose commitment to education, enterprise, community service, and self-determination inspired the name and guiding principles of the Center.
She is also a writer and performer with Maximum Impact Poetry.
PAUL CUFFEE
Paul Cuffee was born free in Massachusetts in 1759. He became a successful ship captain, merchant, shipbuilder, philanthropist, educator, and advocate for civil rights.
As a young man, Cuffee challenged taxation without representation and fought for the political rights of free Black Americans. He later built a successful maritime enterprise and became one of the most prominent Black businessmen of his time.
Cuffee used his wealth and influence to support his community. He helped establish one of the earliest racially integrated schools in New England and supported educational and humanitarian efforts regardless of race.
His international work connected free Black Americans with communities in Sierra Leone. Although the history of resettlement is complex, Cuffee’s efforts reflected his commitment to Black independence, enterprise, international cooperation, and self-determination.
Paul Cuffee died in 1817, but his legacy continues through the work of his descendants and the Paul Cuffee Abolitionist Center.
Abolitionist spoken word, music & historical truth
BEYOND
MAXIMUM IMPACT
An original collection of abolitionist spoken-word and musical presentations conceptualised and written by Max Parthas, featuring special presentations connected to Kinetic Amun Justice, Amiri Baraka, Frederick Douglass and Malcolm X.
BE PART OF THE CONTINUING WORK
CONTINUE THE LEGACY
Help the Paul Cuffee Abolitionist Center preserve abolitionist history, educate new audiences, and support the continuing movement for freedom.
abolitionistcenter@gmail.com
1 803 497 2023
Abolitionist Center 1163 Furman Dr. Sumter, SC 29154
© 2020 Paul Cuffee Abolitionist Center
Designed by: Lily