THE MIDDLE PASSAGE ARCH
A Monument of Unity for Africans and African Americans
A Vision by Pastor James David Manning to Honor the Lost, Heal the Living, and Reclaim Sacred Ground in Harlem
A Sacred Memorial for the Souls Lost in the Atlantic, and a Call for Reconciliation Among All Americans
Pastor Manning now turns his energy toward uniting African Americans and all peoples through a monument of soul, memory, and justice: The Middle Passage Arch.
This will be no ordinary monument. It will stand as a global symbol of recognition and reconciliation. It will be a living testimony that we will not forget the cries beneath the waves.
“My love for all Americans—Black and White—compelled me to call for racial reconciliation at that great killing field of Gettysburg.” — Pastor James David Manning
Nearly ten years ago, Pastor Manning gathered people of all races at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on Independence Day—July 4th—to echo President Abraham Lincoln’s call for national unity.
Today, he calls again—not to a battlefield, but to a burial ground beneath the sea: the Middle Passage.
From the depths of the Atlantic to the streets of Harlem, Pastor Manning’s vision is bold and healing: a monumental arch that will honor the millions of Africans who died in the transatlantic slave trade, and unite Africans and African Americans in a shared legacy of remembrance, survival, and spiritual rebirth.
Interpretation for The Middle Passage Arch Vision:
These verses form a prophetic foundation for Pastor Manning’s mission. Just as John the Baptist cried out for spiritual preparation, this vision calls for a healing reckoning—a spiritual “straightening” of historical injustice. The valleys of sorrow and generational trauma shall be filled. The mountains of oppression shall be brought low. The crooked legacy of slavery shall be straightened through truth, honor, and unity.
The Middle Passage Arch is that straight path through the wilderness of history—raising up a people, reclaiming dignity, and revealing the glory of the Lord in Harlem, for all flesh to see.
Spiritual Roots and Cultural Reflections
During my studies in theology and divinity, I came to understand something deeply profound about the Zulu people and their view of God and family. In Zulu culture, there is a sacred connection between the family, the community, and God. God is not just a distant figure—He is experienced through the collective life of the people. He is the economic, spiritual, and protective force of the family unit.
Zulus believe in building families that build communities, and from those communities, the presence of God is known. There is no separation between the sacred and the social—every meal shared, every child raised, every elder honored is a form of worship.
This contrasts with many experiences I’ve seen in America, where the family can often feel fragmented, and where God is viewed more as an individual experience than a communal one.
My mission with The Middle Passage Arch is to revive that sense of unity—to reconnect African Americans with our ancestral understanding of family, God, and community.
The Meaning of The Middle Passage
The term “Middle Passage” refers to the second leg of the triangular trade system used during the transatlantic slave trade from the 16th to the 19th century. This trade route connected Europe, Africa, and the Americas in a brutal economic triangle:
- First leg: European ships left ports carrying goods such as textiles, firearms, and alcohol to trade in Africa.
- Second leg (The Middle Passage): Enslaved Africans were transported across the Atlantic Ocean in horrific conditions to the Americas.
- Third leg: Goods such as sugar, cotton, and tobacco—produced by enslaved labor—were transported back to Europe.
It was this “middle” leg of the journey—from West Africa to the Americas—became synonymous with suffering, death, and inhumanity. Over 12.5 million Africans were forced onto slave ships; an estimated 2 million died during the journey due to disease, starvation, abuse, and suicide.
Historians and abolitionists began referring to this leg as the “Middle Passage” in written records during the 18th and 19th centuries. The term is now universally used in academic, cultural, and memorial contexts to refer specifically to the oceanic crossing that claimed millions of African lives.
THE MIDDLE PASSAGE ARCH: A VISION BY PASTOR JAMES DAVID MANNING
A Memorial to the Souls Lost in the Atlantic and a Call to National Reconciliation
My love for all Americans—Black and White—compelled me to call for racial reconciliation at that great killing field of Gettysburg.
Now, I raise my voice again, this time for those whose names were never written, whose stories were swallowed by the sea, whose cries still echo in the deep: the souls lost during the Middle Passage.
The Middle Passage Arch is a vision born of remembrance, repentance, and revival.
This arch will stand as a monument not only to the untold millions of Africans who perished during the transatlantic slave trade but as a spiritual and cultural beacon for all Americans seeking healing from the generational wounds of slavery. It will face the Atlantic Ocean—the same waters where our ancestors took their last breath—connecting Harlem, New York, to that sacred memory.
THE HISTORICAL WOUND
Between the 16th and 19th centuries, millions of Africans were captured, chained, and packed into the hulls of slave ships bound for the Americas. The journey was cruel, inhuman, and deadly. With no medicine, no dignity, and no light, many died from disease, starvation, and despair before ever reaching shore.
This horrifying voyage—what history calls the “Middle Passage”—was a genocide at sea.
THE CALL FOR A MEMORIAL
From the cotton fields of North Carolina to the pulpit in Harlem, I, Pastor James David Manning, have walked a path shaped by slavery and redemption. My own grandfather was born into bondage in 1861. I have walked the road of crime and consequence, through prison and repentance. I now dedicate my life to building bridges, not chains.
As I tenaciously and spiritually seek the soul of this city, I call on New Yorkers to help erect a towering and sacred memorial—the Middle Passage Arch—to honor the memory of our sisters, brothers, and children whose lives were taken before they could ever begin. Let Harlem be the heart of this tribute.
Let us build the Arch not only from stone and steel, but with soul and purpose.
THE SPIRITUAL VISION
This is more than a monument. This is a spiritual resurrection.
I believe this Arch will bring SOUL and POWER back to the indigenous people of Harlem and the African American community. It will be a place of reflection and celebration, of mourning and rebirth. A site where history is confronted, and futures are reclaimed.
Just as Gettysburg was a battlefield calling us to unite, The Middle Passage Arch will be a sanctuary calling us to reconcile—with each other and with the God of our weary ancestors.
FROM HARLEM SOUTH AFRICA: A GLOBAL CALL FOR JUSTICE
Pastor Manning has traveled internationally for social justice. In South Africa, he refused to carry an apartheid passbook. He met with the secretary of the student movement, confronted the American complicity in apartheid, and was invited by Archbishop Desmond Tutu to play a special spiritual role.
“Whether in Soweto or Harlem, the fight is the same: land, dignity, memory.”
A LIFE OF TRANSFORMATION AND PURPOSE
Born in rural North Carolina, Pastor Manning walked through cotton fields with his grandfather—a man born a slave in 1861. After a troubled youth that led to incarceration, Manning found salvation in prison and emerged with a new purpose.
He holds undergraduate degrees in theology and psychology, symbolizing both spiritual and physical healing. Since 1981, he has led the ATLAH World Missionary Church in Harlem. His education, experience, and prophetic voice fuel his mission to serve the people and preserve their land.
THE MIDDLE PASSAGE ARCH: A MONUMENT FOR OUR TIME
The Middle Passage Arch is Pastor Manning’s sacred vision—a monument that will anchor Harlem to its roots and inspire the nation to reckon with its history. It will memorialize the Africans who died at sea and empower the descendants who still walk this land.
“This Arch is not only about memory—it is about motion. It is about reclaiming land, restoring dignity, and lifting the Black spirit in America.”
The Meaning of the Middle Passage
The term “Middle Passage” refers to the second leg of the triangular trade system used during the transatlantic slave trade from the 16th to the 19th century. This trade route connected Europe, Africa, and the Americas in a brutal economic triangle:
- First leg: European ships left ports carrying goods such as textiles, firearms, and alcohol to trade in Africa.
- Second leg (The Middle Passage): Enslaved Africans were transported across the Atlantic Ocean in horrific conditions to the Americas.
- Third leg: Goods such as sugar, cotton, and tobacco—produced by enslaved labor—were transported back to Europe.
It was this “middle” leg of the journey—from West Africa to the Americas—that became synonymous with suffering, death, and inhumanity. Over 12.5 million Africans were forced onto slave ships; an estimated 2 million died during the journey due to disease, starvation, abuse, and suicide.
Historians and abolitionists began referring to this leg as the “Middle Passage” in written records during the 18th and 19th centuries. The term is now universally used in academic, cultural, and memorial contexts to refer specifically to the oceanic crossing that claimed millions of African lives.
ABOUT PASTOR JAMES DAVID MANNING
Independent Candidate for Mayor of NYC
Senior Pastor, ATLAH World Missionary Church
Born in rural North Carolina, Pastor Manning walked hand in hand with his grandfather—a man born a slave in 1861—through the cotton fields of America’s wounded South. After going astray in the 1970s and serving time in prison, Manning found Christ while incarcerated in Brooklyn House of Detention in 1976. His journey from prisoner to preacher transformed lives inside and outside prison walls.
In 1981, Pastor Manning became the pastor of Bethelite Community Baptist Church (now ATLAH World Missionary Church) and graduated from Union Theological Seminary in 1985.
Today, he stands as a voice of redemption, truth, and reconciliation—calling for a national memorial that speaks to the pain of the past and the promise of the future.
“Let this arch rise from the shores of Harlem. Let it stand for the forgotten. Let it heal the land.” — Pastor James David Manning
THE MIDDLE PASSAGE: A SEA OF PAIN, A PLACE OF REMEMBRANCE
The transatlantic slave trade was one of the greatest atrocities in human history. Millions of Africans were captured, chained, and forced across the Atlantic in crowded ships, enduring disease, starvation, and despair. Over two million never made it. They died in darkness, without names, without graves.
The Middle Passage Arch is a sacred vision—a towering monument that will rise in Harlem, New York City, facing the Atlantic Ocean, as a memorial to these lost souls and as a spiritual bridge between the past and the future.
“This is not just a structure—it is a soul rebirth. A spiritual altar for America to remember and to reconcile.”
A GLOBAL SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
Pastor Manning’s passion for truth and justice has not been confined to America. He traveled to South Africa, seeking social change and truth in the birthplace of apartheid. While there, he refused to carry a passbook—the symbol of racial control used under apartheid law. He challenged its presence and declared, “Why is America still upholding the pillars of apartheid?”
He met with the secretary of the student movement and confronted the enduring systems of oppression. During this time, he was invited to meet with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who recognized Pastor Manning’s courage and spiritual conviction. Tutu asked him to take on a special role in speaking truth to power.
EDUCATION AND REDEMPTION
Pastor James David Manning’s life has been one of radical transformation. Born in rural North Carolina, he walked the cotton fields with his grandfather—a man born into slavery in 1861. He later lost his way in the 1970s, ending up in the Florida prison system. It was there, in a Brooklyn jail cell, that he found Jesus Christ and began his true mission.
While still incarcerated, Pastor Manning went through a divorce and began his formal studies. He holds an undergraduate degree in theology and in psychology, showing his commitment not only to spiritual healing but also physical healing—especially in underserved communities. His personal experience, academic discipline, and divine calling form the foundation of this new vision.
A MEMORIAL OF SPIRIT AND STONE
Pastor Manning’s vision for the Middle Passage Arch is not only a structure—but a sanctuary. It is a monument to the forgotten, the perished, and the stolen. A sacred space for the descendants of survivors, and a public space for all Americans to confront truth and seek peace.
“I am calling New Yorkers to join me in establishing an impressive memorial to the souls of the sisters and brothers and children that died in the Middle Passage.”
More than a historical tribute, this is a spiritual altar—meant to bring SOUL and POWER back to Harlem and to all who feel the legacy of slavery in their bones.
Material and Symbolism Design of The Middle Passage Arch
Name:
The Middle Passage Arch
A Monument to the Souls of the Atlantic and a Bridge to Pan-African Unity
Conceptual Material Elements
- Black Basalt Stone (Foundation & Pillars)
● Symbolism: Represents the deep strength and sorrow of the African people who were torn from their land. Basalt is an igneous rock born of fire and pressure—symbolizing endurance and transformation through suffering.
● Use: The arch’s pillars and base will be constructed of polished black basalt, signifying the unbreakable foundation of African civilization and the resilient spirit of its descendants. - Bronze Inlays (Names, Quotes, Symbols)
● Symbolism: Bronze symbolizes remembrance and glory. It will be used to engrave names of Middle Passage ships, African kingdoms, and sacred proverbs or Bible verses.
● Use: Bronze inlays along the arch interior will list names, etchings of African symbols, and key Biblical texts like Isaiah 40:1–5 and Luke 3:5. - Water Feature (Reflection Pool Beneath or Near Arch)
● Symbolism: Water honors the Atlantic Ocean, where countless souls were lost. It also represents rebirth, cleansing, and spiritual passage.
● Use: A shallow reflecting pool beneath or in front of the arch allows visitors to reflect—literally and figuratively—on the souls who crossed and those who were lost. - Glass and Light Elements (Soul Window or “Spirit Flame”)
● Symbolism: Light piercing through glass represents the unbreakable soul. This feature is a modern spiritual element evoking divine presence and the future.
● Use: A vertical or crown-shaped glass flame at the apex of the arch glows at night, powered by solar energy—symbolizing eternal memory and divine justice. - Indigenous African Wood (Interior Benches or Carvings)
● Symbolism: Represents heritage, language, and spiritual wisdom of the African ancestors. Wood also softens the experience with warmth and connection.
● Use: Benches or resting spaces will be carved from sacred African woods like Iroko or Mahogany, with patterns reflecting Zulu, Yoruba, Akan, and Kongo traditions.
Architectural Form:
● A dual curved arch meeting at a central point—symbolizing two continents: Africa and the Americas.
● The intersection point at the apex represents unity, healing, and spiritual reunion.
Location-Specific Element: Harlem Tribute
● Embedded in the pathway beneath the arch are bronze seals marking sacred Harlem sites, such as the Apollo Theater, Abyssinian Baptist Church, and locations connected to the Harlem Renaissance—connecting Pan-African memory to African-American heritage.
- Sacred Stones from African Nations (Embedded Stones of Memory)
● Symbolism: Each stone brought from African soil is a sacred offering—representing a homeland never forgotten and the spirits of those who were taken. These stones bear witness to the lives lost during the Middle Passage and the ancestral roots of African Americans today.
● Use:
o Embedded Stones of Memory will be placed at the base of the Arch, or within a central ceremonial path leading through it.
o Each stone will be engraved or labeled with its country of origin: Botswana, Angola, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, the Congo, Mozambique, South Africa, and others.
o A dedication plaque will explain the symbolic return of African earth to American soil as a gesture of healing and reunion.
o These stones will serve as a sacred circle of unity—bringing Africa to Harlem, and Harlem back to Africa.
Ceremonial Meaning:
“We bring stones from the soil our ancestors walked, the places they prayed, wept, and dreamed. These stones bear their names, their hopes, and their blood. We place them at the center of Harlem so that America never forgets—and so the descendants of the Middle Passage may rise with soul and power.”
- Sacred Stone from Matobo (Matopos) Hills – “Stone of Prophets”
● Location: Matobo Hills (often spelled Matopos), located in Zimbabwe, not far from Botswana’s border, is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its ancient rock formations, cave paintings, and role as a spiritual sanctuary for African kings, warriors, and prophets.
● Symbolism:
o The Matobo stone represents the spiritual ancestry of African wisdom, prophecy, and resistance.
o It is believed to be a place where the spirits of the ancestors speak, and where leaders came for guidance.
o As part of The Middle Passage Arch, it will symbolize African spiritual continuity, the endurance of sacred traditions, and the prophetic return of soul and power to a stolen people.
● Use in the Monument:
o The Matobo stone will be placed at the heart of the arch’s inner sanctum—a central stone under which visitors can stand or pray.
o A bronze plaque will read:
“From Matobo: The Stone of Prophets — May the spirits of our ancestors speak again, and may healing come to their descendants.”