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Upcoming DEC Events

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Unburying Voices

Join us on April 12th for Unburying Voices: Community-Engaged Reparative Justice, a symposium hosted by the VCU Health Humanities Lab. This event will feature discussions on the East Marshall Street Well Project, oral histories, and community-led reparative justice efforts. Speakers include members of the Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA and other advocates for historical truth and justice.
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Virginia Museum of History & Culture
10:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Free admission + lunch provided

Past Events

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"Silenced Voices" Screening

Saturday, March 1 | 2pm | Jefferson School African American Heritage Center

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"Silenced Voices" is a short film documenting and describing the process and results of collaborative storytelling at a site of slavery. Descendants from both the enslaved communities and the enslaver’s family from Pharsalia Plantation came together, as Pharsalia descendants, for a week-long workshop exploring shared stewardship and concluding with a round table discussion. The film demonstrates what collective storytelling at a site of slavery can look like when all the stakeholders are committed to moving the narrative forward by presenting authentic and truthful accounts of slavery. Silenced Voices brought together Pharsalia descendants to share their ideas in an open, safe, and welcoming environment. Everyone had a voice; everyone’s voice was heard; and most importantly there was the shared understanding that people require different methods and amounts of time to process difficult truths.

Descendants Symposium and Descendants Day

Descendants Symposium and Descendants Day 2024

Descendants Symposium: Friday, September 13
Descendants Day: Saturday, September 14

 

On Friday, September 13, join us for our Descendants Symposium at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center. The DEC Symposium will explore the journey of African Americans from historical oppression to present-day progress. Hear from inspiring speakers, engage in meaningful discussions, and connect with others as we journey together towards the descendant movement. Join us for this important discussion and stand in solidarity with us as we journey forward. DEC-UVA Members receive free admission to this symposium! You won't want to miss this!

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On Saturday, September 14, join us for our annual Descendants Day: The Family Reunion at the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers. Join us as actor Jason George reviews his geneaology with genealogist and DEC-UVA board member Nicka Smith, connect with partners, and enjoy a day full of enriching programming. This event is free.

"Meet Me at the Bench"
Monthly DEC-UVA Descendant Membership Meeting 

2nd Thursday of Every Month | 7pm | Zoom | Email for More

Please join the Descendants of Enslaved Communities at the University of Virginia for our monthly descendant membership meeting. The Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA invites you to join us for our monthly virtual membership meetings on the 2nd Thursday of every month at 7pm ET. Inspired by the Bench by the Road Project by Toni Morrison, "Meet Me at the Bench" is our opportunity to connect with one another, exchange resources, and share about the DEC's efforts. 

2023 Descendants Day
Family Reunion

April 15, 2023

Inaugural Descendants Day

April 9, 2021

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Dr. Andrea Douglas
Jefferson School African American Heritage Center

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Dr. Jody Allen
The Lemon Project at William and Mary

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Dr. Michael Blakey
Montpelier Descendants Committee

Guest Panelists

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