The Root Nine Foundation and Institute
Projects
2026 - 2031
Our Mission
The Root Nine Foundation and Institute (R9)is dedicated to restoring and amplifying the profound legacy of lost or forgotten civilizations and bringing awareness of their global impact. Rooted in the inspiring story of Prince Abdul Rahman Ibrahima ibn Sori a Fulbe prince of Timbuktu and Timbo, Guinea our work honors his journey from nobility through enslavement to resilience, guiding our commitment to cultural reclamation and scholarly restoration.
What We Do
We advance knowledge of ancient civilizations through four interconnected pillars of work. Our archival recovery and preservation efforts digitize rare manuscripts, oral histories, and cultural records from marginalized communities, ensuring these vital voices are protected for future generations. Through rigorous anthropological and historical research, we conduct field studies examining ancient migrations, dynasties, and the cultural systems of African peoples and their descendants.
Our educational outreach programs promote historical literacy, cultural pride, and sustainable development, empowering communities with knowledge of their heritage. Finally, our African studies and diaspora scholarship engages in comparative analysis of African civilizations, exploring their cultural, religious, and socio-political contributions that have shaped our interconnected world.
Together, these efforts illuminate the rich tapestry of African history and its enduring influence on global language, science, mathematics, and culture.
R9 Projects 2025-2030
Projects marked Underway are currently active. Additional initiatives launch on a rolling basis as institutional partnerships and program support expand.
2025-Whispering Voices - Collective Oral Histories (Underway)
An ongoing collection of oral histories from descendants of marginalized individuals and groups across the Americas and Caribbean. Using audio and video recording, we document family stories, cultural practices, and memories that connect contemporary communities to their ancestral homelands.
2026-Reclaiming Heritage Curriculum Initiative (Underway)
Development of culturally responsive educational materials for K-12 and college levels that accurately present African civilizations. Includes comprehensive units on the empires of Mali and Songhai, the scholarly traditions of Timbuktu, Ethiopian Christianity and its ancient roots, and the diverse cultures of West Africa.
2027-African Scholars Legacy Youth Program
An annual program for young adults ages 16-24 that explores the intellectual achievements of African scholars, scientists, and philosophers. Participants study figures like Ahmed Baba of Timbuktu, Ethiopian chroniclers, Moroccan travelers like Ibn Battuta, and engage in hands-on research projects.
2027-Community Heritage Workshops
Traveling workshops bringing historical and genealogical research tools to African and diaspora communities. Sessions cover how to trace ancestry to specific regions including Timbuktu, Morocco, Liberia, and Guinea, and how to interpret historical documents and DNA results.
2027-Historical Literacy for Sustainable Development
Programs connecting knowledge of African innovations in agriculture, architecture, water management, and sustainable living with contemporary development challenges, showing how traditional knowledge can inform modern solutions.
2028-Moroccan Saharan Trade Route Documentation
Recovery and preservation of documents, maps, and records related to the trans-Saharan trade networks that connected Morocco to sub-Saharan Africa. This includes merchant records, travel accounts, and correspondence that illuminate centuries of cultural and economic exchange.
2028-Liberian Settler and Indigenous Archives Initiative
A dual-focused project preserving both the records of Americo-Liberian settlers and the oral traditions and cultural documentation of Liberia's indigenous peoples, creating a more complete historical record of the nation's complex heritage.
Ancient Migration Pathways Study
2029-A multi-year field research project tracing historical migration routes across West, North, and East Africa. Combining archaeological surveys, DNA analysis, linguistic studies, and oral tradition documentation, this project maps the movement of populations and the spread of cultural and technological innovations across the continent.
2029-Timbuktu as a Center of Learning Research
An investigation into Timbuktu's role as a major intellectual hub from the 13th to 17th centuries. This research examines the universities, manuscript production, and scholarly networks that made the city a beacon of knowledge in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and Islamic jurisprudence.
2029-Trans-Saharan Exchange Networks Analysis
Field studies documenting the cultural, religious, and economic connections between Morocco and West African kingdoms. This research traces how ideas, goods, and peoples moved across the Sahara, creating a complex web of relationships that shaped both regions.
2030-The Timbuktu Manuscript Recovery Project
A comprehensive initiative to digitize and preserve Islamic manuscripts from Timbuktu's historic libraries and family collections. This project works with local scholars to create high-resolution digital copies of thousands of documents covering astronomy, mathematics, medicine, law, and literature, making these treasures accessible while protecting them from environmental degradation and conflict.
2030-West African Coastal Societies Research
Anthropological studies of the societies along the Guinea coast, examining political structures, spiritual systems, artistic traditions, and the impact of European contact from the 15th century onward.
