Alesia Parson-McBean book examines betrayal in Black heritage preservation

Alesia Parson-McBean’s new book traces the Doleman Black Heritage Museum’s origins in Hagerstown, Maryland, and argues that protecting Black history can mean confronting threats from inside the community. The book is out now in hardcover, paperback and eBook as the museum pursues its future home.

Why it matters: - The book frames Black history preservation as a test of leadership, trust and long-term community stewardship. - The Doleman Black Heritage Museum’s story shows how cultural artifacts, oral histories and place-based memory can be vulnerable even when the threat comes from inside the community. - The museum’s future matters beyond one institution because it represents how Black legacy sites are protected, funded and handed down.

What happened: - Alesia Parson-McBean published The Melanated Colonizer: Betrayal, Resilience, and the Unfinished Work of Freedom with Spines. - The book is rooted in the Doleman Black Heritage Museum and Jonathan Street in Hagerstown, Maryland. - The project blends memoir, cultural history and a firsthand account of preserving a community legacy. - The book is available now in hardcover, paperback and eBook formats.

The details: - Charles and Marguerite Doleman founded what became the Doleman Black Heritage Museum in 1974. - The Dolemans opened their Hagerstown home as a “Living Museum.” - The collection grew to about 4,600 artifacts documenting Black life in the community. - Parson-McBean serves as the contracted Project Director and public face of the museum. - Parson-McBean describes her role as carrying forward a promise made to Charles Doleman. - The book argues that the “melanated colonizer” problem shows how threats to Black institutions do not always come from outside the community. - The narrative addresses betrayal, internalized colonization, proximity to power and the cost of choosing truth over convenience. - Parson-McBean says artifacts, photographs, oral histories and community memories carry the most meaning when they remain tied to the people and places that created them. - The book presents faith as the force that turns betrayal into resilience and continued purpose. - Jonathan Street is presented as a center of Black community life in Hagerstown. - Parson-McBean said, “Our heritage is a sacred inheritance that cannot be compromised or rented out for convenience; this book is a testament to the ancestors who guided us to stand firm and protect the authentic stories of our people.” - The book lists ISBN 979-8-90222-502-7 and says it is available through Amazon and major retailers worldwide.

Between the lines: - The book is doing more than recounting preservation work; it is making an argument about who gets to control Black historical memory. - The emphasis on internal threats signals a broader warning for institutions that rely on community trust and volunteer stewardship. - The public funding mentioned for the museum suggests the preservation effort is moving from legacy work into a more formal development phase. - The project also positions faith and moral duty as practical tools for sustaining institutions under pressure.

What's next: - The Doleman Black Heritage Museum continues plans for a future home. - The museum’s preservation and development work has already received a $563,000 federal investment for Phase 1 preconstruction activities and a $150,000 Maryland capital grant. - Readers can find the book through Amazon and other major retailers. - Parson-McBean’s role suggests the museum’s leadership and public-facing preservation work will remain closely tied to the book’s central themes.