Soulaan Recognized as a Cultural Identity by the Freedmen Trust

The Freedmen Reparations Fund Trust has adopted Article XXII, officially recognizing the term “Soulaan” as a valid cultural identity connected to the lived experience of Freedmen. This recognition affirms the right of individuals with ancestral ties to U.S. chattel slavery to define themselves culturally—while maintaining the legal clarity of the term Freedmen within the Trust.

“Soulaan” is a self-determined expression created by some members of the Freedmen community to reflect their lineage, legacy, and historical connection to slavery in the United States. While it is not a legal status or verification term under the Trust, it holds cultural weight as part of a growing movement to reclaim identity outside of imposed racial frameworks.

Article XXII makes it clear:

• “Soulaan” is acknowledged for cultural and educational purposes.

• It may be used in media, outreach, and creative work by Verified Freedmen.

• It shall not replace or override the legal term “Freedmen”, which is used for reparative eligibility, verification, and land protection.

By recognizing “Soulaan,” the Trust affirms the right of Freedmen to define themselves on their own terms, without compromising the legal protections required to advance reparative justice. This balance of legal precision and cultural self-expression reflects the Trust’s broader mission: to preserve, protect, and restore the Freedmen identity in every dimension.

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