In a move that has sparked debate over academic autonomy and institutional responsibility, Richard J. Cellini, former director of Harvard's Slavery Remembrance Program (HSRP), has independently begun notifying individuals he identifies as descendants of people enslaved by Harvard affiliates, according to the school. This initiative commenced after Harvard outsourced its slavery research to American Ancestors, a Boston-based genealogical nonprofit, in January 2025.

Harvard's decision to delegate its slavery research to American Ancestors followed the release of its 2022 Legacy of Slavery report, which recommended identifying and engaging with descendants of enslaved individuals connected to the university. The report led to the establishment of the HSRP, which, under Cellini's leadership, identified at least 913 enslaved individuals and 403 living descendants before the program's staff was laid off.

Vice Provost for Special Projects Sara N. Bleich stated that the university aimed to approach descendants with "humility" and establish long-term relationships, emphasizing that Harvard wanted descendants "to hear from us first.”

Following his departure from Harvard, Cellini initiated an independent project to continue the work of identifying and contacting descendants. He argues that immediate notification is crucial, stating, "If Harvard had your family history in its files, wouldn’t you want to see it immediately?"

Cellini's approach involves reaching out to potential descendants through various means, including social media platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook. He emphasizes building trust with these individuals, acknowledging that initial reactions often involve suspicion and mistrust. Over time, he has developed close relationships with many descendants, who affectionately refer to him as "Cousin Richard." 

Harvard has clarified that any descendant research conducted outside its partnership with American Ancestors is unauthorized. University spokesperson Sarah E. Kennedy O’Reilly stated, "Any direct descendant research or engagement being done outside of our partnership with American Ancestors has not been authorized by the University." 

The situation underscores the complexities institutions face in addressing historical ties to slavery. While Harvard continues its official efforts through American Ancestors, independent initiatives, such as Cellini's, highlight the urgency and personal nature of connecting descendants with their ancestral histories.