sirelda jackson
Sirelda Jackson is the co-founder and president of the board of the Plataforma Nacional Herencia di Sclavitud na Aruba (PNHSA), which focuses on raising awareness, healing traumas, and promoting restorative justice related to the legacy and effects of slavery in Aruba. Additionally, she is a long-standing board member of the Landelijk Platform Slavernijverleden (LPS), which contributed to the establishment of the commemoration monument of the Dutch trans-Atlantic enslavement trade and slavery, as well as the Netherlands Institute National Slavery Heritage (NINSEE) in Amsterdam. The LPS actively combats racism, Afrophobia, discrimination, and advocates for reparative justice through CARICOM and the United Nations. The LPS also is active in connection with the African Union in which Sirelda is serving on the Advisory board of the African Union Sixth region.
Sirelda’s contributions extend to the engagement and empowerment of civic communities and institutions through lectures, workshops, and organizing community dialogues on African civilization and human rights. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Avance Hogeschool and a lifelong commitment to self-education, particularly in social sciences and humanities.
Sirelda has been honored with multiple awards, including the Knight Oranje Nassau in 2006, which recognizes her exceptional service to society, and the Phenomenal Woman Award in 2011, celebrating her outstanding contributions to social justice and community empowerment and also the Ladyship of Breda in 2012 for being chosen as outstanding volunteer. Additionally, she has received accolades for her work in promoting African and Caribbean heritage and combating discrimination.
shirley caines
A dynamic leader and advocate for social justice, Shirley C. Caines has dedicated her life to preserving history, empowering communities, and fostering a global movement for recognition and healing. As the Co-Founder, Vice President/Treasurer, Project Manager, and Coordinator of the Plataforma Nacional Herencia di Sclavitud na Aruba (P.N.H.S.A.), she plays a pivotal role in addressing the lasting impact of slavery in Aruba and beyond. Her leadership ensures that every initiative from strategic planning to community engagement is executed with precision, cultural sensitivity, and visionary purpose. The foundation is committed to raising awareness, facilitating trauma recovery, and fostering identity formation among affected communities. Under her guidance, P.N.H.S.A. works to establish permanent national monuments that honor the history of slavery, safeguarding Aruba’s cultural landscape and ensuring the legacy of enslaved people is visibly recognized. Additionally, she advocates for the creation of a national institute dedicated to documenting and educating the public about the historical narrative of slavery, thereby supporting the broader effort to decolonize education.
Beyond her contributions in Aruba, Shirley serves as a Facilitator of the African Union African Diaspora Sixth Region High Council (Caribbean Community), a governing body representing the aspirations of the Global African Diaspora. She is instrumental in uniting African-descended populations worldwide, fostering governance structures that integrate the African Diaspora into the African Union, and ensuring their voices, expertise, and contributions shape a more resilient and equitable future. Her efforts are deeply focused on strengthening AU-Diaspora networking, collaboration, and strategic partnerships.
An ardent advocate for social change, Shirley also previously served as the President and Treasurer of the Soul Harmony Foundation, where she worked to uplift families in San Nicolas, Aruba. With a particular focus on women and children, she spearheaded initiatives that empowered individuals through social support and development programs.
With unwavering dedication to historical preservation, community empowerment, and global African unity, Shirley C. Caines continues to be a driving force in fostering justice, remembrance, and progress across nations ensuring that historical legacies are honored and communities are strengthened for generations to come.
marlien dokman
My name is Marlien Dokman, married Luijtjes. I was born in the district of Commewijne, Suriname. I studied at the “Surinaamse Pedagogische Instituut”, where I specialized in teaching children between the ages of 4 and 8.
In Suriname, I was actively involved in a cultural group named Prefuru that was connected to events related to the slavery period. I worked as a teacher in the interior regions of the country, where I taught children from Maroons communities—descendants of enslaved people who had escaped from plantations. I learned everything I know about the history of slavery from my parents and my grandmother. These lessons were passed down through generations, as this history was not taught in school.
I have been living in Aruba for 32 years now. For the past 28 years, I have worked as a teacher with SKOA (Stichting Katholiek Onderwijs Aruba). I moved to Aruba because of my husband, who had found work here. We built our life together, and we have two daughters who are currently completing their studies in the Netherlands.
In Aruba, I became involved with the Surinaamse Club, which organized activities related to the historical legacy of slavery. For many years, I have also volunteered with non-profit organizations, where I contribute to the successful acquisition of funding for various community projects. I am also a board member of Plataforma Nacional Herencia di Sclavitud na Aruba (P.N.H.S.A.), an organization where I honor my ancestors and aim to be a voice for those who were silenced during the period of Black slavery. As a co-founder and serving as the secretary of P.N.H.S.A., I am responsible for documenting meeting minutes, ensuring follow-up on action points, and building strategic connections within and outside the platform. She currently serves as the secretary of P.N.H.S.A., supporting the leadership team in coordinating initiatives and maintaining organizational continuity.
Through my work, I strive to contribute not only to the recognition and remembrance of our history but also to the empowerment and development of descendants of enslaved people in Aruba and beyond.
It is my deepest wish that all the truths that were once hidden in secrecy may come to light, and that the people of Aruba may be fully informed about the shared history we carry.
sonny richardson
Sonny Richardson: A Visionary Leader in Cultural Heritage and Community Empowerment
Sonny Richardson is a dedicated advocate for cultural preservation and social empowerment, playing a pivotal role in shaping initiatives that honor Aruba’s rich heritage. As a board member of Plataforma Nacional Herencia na Aruba (PNHSA), he provides strategic guidance on key decisions, ensuring the successful implementation of projects that celebrate the island’s history—particularly its connection to slavery and its lasting impact. PNHSA is committed to foster awareness, education, and healing through advocacy and commemorative programs that strengthen historical consciousness within the community.
In 2017, alongside Celeste Richardson, Sonny co-founded We Culture, an organization rooted in a profound commitment to uplifting and uniting communities through a Pan-African lens. Through education, dialogue, and cultural expression, We Culture embraces the power of shared heritage to inspire meaningful change. Over the years, the organization has proudly partnered with Angelo Richardson of Unity in the Community and benefited from the invaluable insight of its esteemed advisor, Dr. Gregory Richardson.
We Culture hosts monthly programs—held on the last Saturday of each month—that focus on education, empowerment, and cultural engagement. Additionally, the organization collaborates annually with the Basha Foundation, expanding its reach and impact through initiatives that amplify cultural pride and historical awareness.
Affectionately known as The Rootsam Sonny, Richardson has dedicated his life to bringing people together, facilitating spaces for knowledge-sharing, cultural expression, and social growth. Through music, dance, spoken words, and thought-provoking panel discussions, he continues to build bridges that strengthen the fabric of the community, ensuring that heritage and identity remain central in shaping the future.
We honor the legacy of slavery and its impact on Aruba, the Netherlands, and the African diaspora. Through monuments, education, and advocacy, we promote healing, awareness, and justice, guided by Ubuntu to foster unity, equality, and respect.