About DSLUE - Descendants of the St. Louis University Enslaved

How We Came to BE

In 2019, the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and Saint Louis University (SLU) informed us that we are descendants of people their predecessors enslaved and forced to labor at Missouri’s first Jesuit mission, St. Stanislaus in Florrisant, Saint Louis University, St. Francis Xavier College Church, and other local churches, schools and from 1823 to 1865.

Research revealed that the Jesuits, since their founding in 1534, were deeply involved in slavery, enslaving thousands globally. During their expansion into the U.S. Midwest and South, they trafficked over 200 Black people—many of whom are our ancestors.

Driven by a desire to honor our ancestors and celebrate their resilience, we founded the Descendants of the St. Louis University Enslaved, Inc. (DSLUE) in 2021, with the support of dedicated allies.

In 2023, DSLUE became a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Our Mission

The Descendants of the St. Louis University Enslaved, Inc. (DSLUE), a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is committed to honoring our Jesuit-enslaved ancestors who built and sustained Saint Louis University and other Jesuit-ran churches and farms in Missouri from 1823 to 1865. Our mission is to preserve their legacy, achieve reparations to address both historical and lingering harms, and to educate the public about this vital history—both now and for future generations.

Our Vision

To be an inspirational heritage preservation and cultural education organization—mission-focused on honoring our Jesuit-enslaved ancestors, addressing historical harms through reparations, and inspiring present and future generations to respect the humanity of all.

The Descendants of the St. Louis University Enslaved, Inc., is a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.

Robin A. Proudie

Founder

Robin A. Proudie was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and has dedicated her life to service and justice. After joining the U.S. Navy at eighteen, she served seven honorable years as an aviation data analyst and continued her career as a civil servant for over seventeen years, working alongside senior military officials, foreign diplomats, and government leaders. From 2009 to 2017, Robin worked at the Pentagon where she held a top-secret clearance and liaised with foreign attaches and U.S. ambassadors and staff in Washington D.C. and abroad. Her diverse career has included unique positions at the Pentagon, Department of Justice, Department of Agriculture, and the Judiciary.

Robin’s most significant mission, however, is honoring the legacy of her Ancestors, who were enslaved by the Jesuits and Saint Louis University. As the founder of Descendants of the St. Louis University Enslaved, Inc. (DSLUE), she is unwavering in her commitment to seeking reparations to address historical and lingering harms, and to ensure that the sacrifices and contributions of Black Americans past, present and future to American society are never forgotten.