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The Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA

The Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA

Reclaim - Honor - Repair

Reclaiming the narrative and
honoring our ancestors.

The Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA serves as the collective voice all descendants of enslaved and free Black communities who labored at the University of Virginia through intensive research, education, and preservation.

Reclaiming the narrative and honoring our ancestors.

The Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA will serve as the collective voice of all descendants of enslaved and free Black communities who labored at the University of Virginia through research, education, and preservation.

Learn About the DEC at UVA

Follow @descendantsUVA and #DECUVA on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

📢 This GivingTuesday, help us reclaim the narrative!

Join the Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA (DEC-UVA) in preserving the legacies of Black communities through research, storytelling, and advocacy. Your support uncovers untold histories and connects descendants with their heritage.

🎁 Give $25 and get a FREE 1-year membership! Enjoy exclusive events, genealogy resources, and more!

💡 Why Give?

Support genealogical research for descendants.
Help reclaim and preserve untold stories of enslaved communities.
Amplify the voices of descendants and their ancestral legacies.
Promote restorative justice and education.

📲 Donate now: www.descendantsuva.org/donate

Thank you for honoring history with us this Giving Tuesday! 🌟

📢 This GivingTuesday, help us reclaim the narrative!

Join the Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA (DEC-UVA) in preserving the legacies of Black communities through research, storytelling, and advocacy. Your support uncovers untold histories and connects descendants with their heritage.

🎁 Give $25 and get a FREE 1-year membership! Enjoy exclusive events, genealogy resources, and more!

💡 Why Give?

Support genealogical research for descendants.
Help reclaim and preserve untold stories of enslaved communities.
Amplify the voices of descendants and their ancestral legacies.
Promote restorative justice and education.

📲 Donate now: www.descendantsuva.org/donate

Thank you for honoring history with us this Giving Tuesday! 🌟

Our first feature for 'Memorial Mondays' is the Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery, located in Alexandria, VA!

The Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery is more than a burial ground—it is a poignant reminder of the strength and humanity of those who escaped enslavement during the Civil War. Their final resting place serves as a historical beacon, shedding light on their resilience and the vital role they played in shaping our nation’s path to freedom. Preserving this space ensures that their sacrifices and stories are never forgotten.

Our first feature for 'Memorial Mondays' is the Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery, located in Alexandria, VA!

The Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery is more than a burial ground—it is a poignant reminder of the strength and humanity of those who escaped enslavement during the Civil War. Their final resting place serves as a historical beacon, shedding light on their resilience and the vital role they played in shaping our nation’s path to freedom. Preserving this space ensures that their sacrifices and stories are never forgotten.

This Thanksgiving, we are deeply grateful for each and every one of you. Your generosity and engagement help us continue DEC's mission, and leave a positive impact on our community. Thank you for standing with us. Wishing you and yours a warm and joyful holiday!

This Thanksgiving, we are deeply grateful for each and every one of you. Your generosity and engagement help us continue DEC's mission, and leave a positive impact on our community. Thank you for standing with us. Wishing you and yours a warm and joyful holiday!

Happy Monday! For our next series we will be highlighting memorials dedicated to enslaved individuals across the United States, every Monday in effort to shed light on stories of resilience, remembrance, and repair.

These spaces honor lives once overlooked, amplify voices that echo through history, and inspire us to reckon with our collective past. Join us every Monday as we explore these powerful sites of memory and reflection.

Credit: Michel Brooks, DEC Intern

Happy Monday! For our next series we will be highlighting memorials dedicated to enslaved individuals across the United States, every Monday in effort to shed light on stories of resilience, remembrance, and repair.

These spaces honor lives once overlooked, amplify voices that echo through history, and inspire us to reckon with our collective past. Join us every Monday as we explore these powerful sites of memory and reflection.

Credit: Michel Brooks, DEC Intern

For our last feature, we celebrate Jessica Harris! A descendant of enslaved communities in Central Virginia, Jessica is the board President of the Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA and founder of Empowered Players, an arts education nonprofit.

Her work at the intersection of equity, education, and the arts ensures history is honored and future generations are empowered! Thank you, Jessica, for your incredible leadership and impact!

Credit: Michel Brooks, DEC Intern

For our last feature, we celebrate Jessica Harris! A descendant of enslaved communities in Central Virginia, Jessica is the board President of the Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA and founder of Empowered Players, an arts education nonprofit.

Her work at the intersection of equity, education, and the arts ensures history is honored and future generations are empowered! Thank you, Jessica, for your incredible leadership and impact!

Credit: Michel Brooks, DEC Intern

Meet Bertha French! As a co-founder and current Vice President, Bertha’s dedication to honoring and amplifying the voices of descendants from enslaved communities is truly inspiring. We’re grateful for her leadership, vision, and commitment to justice!

Meet Bertha French! As a co-founder and current Vice President, Bertha’s dedication to honoring and amplifying the voices of descendants from enslaved communities is truly inspiring. We’re grateful for her leadership, vision, and commitment to justice!

Meet DeTeasa Gathers! She is a Founding Leader of Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA, a Charlottesville native, devoted wife, proud UVA parent, grandmother, and dedicated community advocate. Through her work as a tour guide, advisor, and volunteer, she uplifts stories, fosters connections, and honors history! Here at DEC we are so incredibly lucky to have DeTeasa on our team!

Credit: Michel Brooks, DEC Intern

Meet DeTeasa Gathers! She is a Founding Leader of Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA, a Charlottesville native, devoted wife, proud UVA parent, grandmother, and dedicated community advocate. Through her work as a tour guide, advisor, and volunteer, she uplifts stories, fosters connections, and honors history! Here at DEC we are so incredibly lucky to have DeTeasa on our team!

Credit: Michel Brooks, DEC Intern

Meet Star Reams, genealogist and founding member of Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA. Her research uncovers the stories of enslaved people at sites like Pharsalia in Nelson County, VA, and her DNA work connects her to her West African roots. Star’s commitment brings the voices of the past forward, honoring heritage and strengthening community!

Meet Star Reams, genealogist and founding member of Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA. Her research uncovers the stories of enslaved people at sites like Pharsalia in Nelson County, VA, and her DNA work connects her to her West African roots. Star’s commitment brings the voices of the past forward, honoring heritage and strengthening community!

Carolyn Dillard serves as the Community Partnerships Manager in UVA's Division for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, where she leads programming and initiatives for the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers (MEL) and is a dedicated member of the MEL Community Engagement Committee. As a founding board member of the Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA (DEC-UVA), Carolyn works tirelessly to bring awareness, advocacy, and repair.

Credit: DEC Intern Michel Brooks

Carolyn Dillard serves as the Community Partnerships Manager in UVA's Division for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, where she leads programming and initiatives for the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers (MEL) and is a dedicated member of the MEL Community Engagement Committee. As a founding board member of the Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA (DEC-UVA), Carolyn works tirelessly to bring awareness, advocacy, and repair.

Credit: DEC Intern Michel Brooks

Cauline Yates, a descendant of the Hemings and Hughes families who were enslaved at Monticello, co-founded the Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA (DEC-UVA) in 2020. This nonprofit aims to honor and research the legacies of enslaved and free Black communities at the University of Virginia, fostering restorative justice through education and acknowledgment of these histories. Cauline also shares her family’s story through her work as a DEC-UVA tour guide, leading reflections at UVA’s Memorial to Enslaved Laborers, a powerful space where visitors can learn about the vital, yet historically unrecognized contributions of these individuals to the University’s foundation. At DEC we are so extremely thankful to Cauline and all the work she does for the organization!

Cauline Yates, a descendant of the Hemings and Hughes families who were enslaved at Monticello, co-founded the Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA (DEC-UVA) in 2020. This nonprofit aims to honor and research the legacies of enslaved and free Black communities at the University of Virginia, fostering restorative justice through education and acknowledgment of these histories. Cauline also shares her family’s story through her work as a DEC-UVA tour guide, leading reflections at UVA’s Memorial to Enslaved Laborers, a powerful space where visitors can learn about the vital, yet historically unrecognized contributions of these individuals to the University’s foundation. At DEC we are so extremely thankful to Cauline and all the work she does for the organization!

Meet Helice! Charlottesville native, dedicated educator, and proud descendant of an enslaved laborer at UVA. A Howard and Virginia State alum, she champions history, genealogy, and community as a founding board member of the Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA. When she’s not inspiring young minds, you’ll find her exploring history, cruising, or spending time with her family!

Meet Helice! Charlottesville native, dedicated educator, and proud descendant of an enslaved laborer at UVA. A Howard and Virginia State alum, she champions history, genealogy, and community as a founding board member of the Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA. When she’s not inspiring young minds, you’ll find her exploring history, cruising, or spending time with her family!

Meet Edna Carter-Hearns, both a founding board member and our Assistant Treasurer! She continues to be strong force at DEC and in our community in Charlottesville. Thank you Edna, for your support towards DEC!

Meet Edna Carter-Hearns, both a founding board member and our Assistant Treasurer! She continues to be strong force at DEC and in our community in Charlottesville. Thank you Edna, for your support towards DEC!

At DEC, we’re constantly inspired by the work of Dr. Laura Morgan Roberts! Her insights into leadership, diversity, and inclusion empower us to create spaces where everyone feels valued and seen. Thank you, Dr. Roberts, for sharing your expertise and inspiring us!

At DEC, we’re constantly inspired by the work of Dr. Laura Morgan Roberts! Her insights into leadership, diversity, and inclusion empower us to create spaces where everyone feels valued and seen. Thank you, Dr. Roberts, for sharing your expertise and inspiring us!

Today, we are highlighting Ms. Karice Luck-Brimmer! Luck-Brimmer is dedicated Community Initiatives Program Associate at Virginia Humanities. In the Dan River Region, she collaborates closely with descendants of enslaved communities and local partners to empower cultural organizations and foster positive change. With over 20 years of experience as a genealogist and public historian, she’s preserving African American heritage and uplifting stories that deserve to be told.

From DEC to you, we are so glad to have you on our leadership team! Thank you!

Today, we are highlighting Ms. Karice Luck-Brimmer! Luck-Brimmer is dedicated Community Initiatives Program Associate at Virginia Humanities. In the Dan River Region, she collaborates closely with descendants of enslaved communities and local partners to empower cultural organizations and foster positive change. With over 20 years of experience as a genealogist and public historian, she’s preserving African American heritage and uplifting stories that deserve to be told.

From DEC to you, we are so glad to have you on our leadership team! Thank you!

Today, we are featuring Ms. Nicka Smith! Nicka is a powerhouse in the genealogy field with with 20+ years of experience, seen on TODAY, Good Morning America, CNN, and Who Do You Think You Are. Host of BlackProGen LIVE, genealogy advisor for DSLUE, and researcher with Justice for Greenwood, she’s on a mission to uncover and uplift family histories. Currently senior story producer at Ancestry™ and leader of the Who is Nicka Smith Patreon community.

Thank you Nicka Smith for helping DEC with our efforts into finding our acestors and their descendants!

Today, we are featuring Ms. Nicka Smith! Nicka is a powerhouse in the genealogy field with with 20+ years of experience, seen on TODAY, Good Morning America, CNN, and Who Do You Think You Are. Host of BlackProGen LIVE, genealogy advisor for DSLUE, and researcher with Justice for Greenwood, she’s on a mission to uncover and uplift family histories. Currently senior story producer at Ancestry™ and leader of the Who is Nicka Smith Patreon community.

Thank you Nicka Smith for helping DEC with our efforts into finding our acestors and their descendants!

For our first "Get to Know" we are highlighting Niya Bates! She is an advocate for inclusive storytelling, highlighting the lives of enslaved individuals and marginalized communities. Bates has continuously been an active member of our community not just on the DEC Board, but throughout the state of Virginia working to bring forth narratives that connect African-American history to broader themes in American history!

Thank you Niya Bates, for everything you do!

For our first "Get to Know" we are highlighting Niya Bates! She is an advocate for inclusive storytelling, highlighting the lives of enslaved individuals and marginalized communities. Bates has continuously been an active member of our community not just on the DEC Board, but throughout the state of Virginia working to bring forth narratives that connect African-American history to broader themes in American history!

Thank you Niya Bates, for everything you do!

For the next few weeks, each day we will be featuring our Leadership Team on our Social Media! We will highlight what they do within Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA, as well as outside our organization! We love and admire each and everyone of them, for working alongside us to represent our Descendants and strengthen our bond with the Charlottesville community.

For the next few weeks, each day we will be featuring our Leadership Team on our Social Media! We will highlight what they do within Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA, as well as outside our organization! We love and admire each and everyone of them, for working alongside us to represent our Descendants and strengthen our bond with the Charlottesville community.

Have you registered for our October webinar yet? Join us for this Zoom webinar on Saturday, October 26 from 10-11am as we hear from Tim Roberts.

To register, visit the link on our Facebook page or email us at info@descendantsuva.org

Have you registered for our October webinar yet? Join us for this Zoom webinar on Saturday, October 26 from 10-11am as we hear from Tim Roberts.

To register, visit the link on our Facebook page or email us at info@descendantsuva.org

DEC-UVA will be exhibiting at this years AAHGS-Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society Conference! This year the conference will be taking place on October 10-12, online through the Whova app. The theme of the conference is "Fighting Erasure: Staying Visible by Keeping African American Genealogy and History in Focus."

Visit the DEC-UVA Booth! To discover how DEC-UVA is reclaiming the narratives of enslaved families. Learn about our statewide initiative, membership perks, and how to get involved in preserving our shared history.

You will also have the chance to win exclusive DEC-UVA merch and our Genealogy Resources Giveaway to help you on your family research journey!

Cannot wait to see you all October 10-12th!

Please use visit our Facebook for more information.

DEC-UVA will be exhibiting at this years AAHGS-Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society Conference! This year the conference will be taking place on October 10-12, online through the Whova app. The theme of the conference is "Fighting Erasure: Staying Visible by Keeping African American Genealogy and History in Focus."

Visit the DEC-UVA Booth! To discover how DEC-UVA is reclaiming the narratives of enslaved families. Learn about our statewide initiative, membership perks, and how to get involved in preserving our shared history.

You will also have the chance to win exclusive DEC-UVA merch and our Genealogy Resources Giveaway to help you on your family research journey!

Cannot wait to see you all October 10-12th!

Please use visit our Facebook for more information.

Many thanks to the Hall Family and Hallxpress2 Production for this video recap of our event!! Take a peek to experience the magic of Descendants Day: The Family Reunion.

And please join us in giving a virtual thanks to this amazing family for their beautiful work.

Many thanks to the Hall Family and Hallxpress2 Production for this video recap of our event!! Take a peek to experience the magic of Descendants Day: The Family Reunion.

And please join us in giving a virtual thanks to this amazing family for their beautiful work.

Celebrate the joy of Descendants Day 2024! Our immense gratitude to all who made this special day possible, and to those who attended.

Special thanks to PuraPhoto (Photos 1, 4, 6) and Hall Family Photography (Photo 2, 3, 5, 7, 8) for capturing this memorable day. View the full album on our Facebook page!

Celebrate the joy of Descendants Day 2024! Our immense gratitude to all who made this special day possible, and to those who attended.

Special thanks to PuraPhoto (Photos 1, 4, 6) and Hall Family Photography (Photo 2, 3, 5, 7, 8) for capturing this memorable day. View the full album on our Facebook page!

What a fantastic symposium! Relive the magic of this event through these photos.
Thanks to Out of Sight Events for capturing these remarkable pictures of our Descendants Symposium.

Visit our Facebook page for the full album.

What a fantastic symposium! Relive the magic of this event through these photos.
Thanks to Out of Sight Events for capturing these remarkable pictures of our Descendants Symposium.

Visit our Facebook page for the full album.

Join our friends and colleagues at One Shared Story for their upcoming events Celebrating Black Church History! Join them in Norfolk and Roanoke for meaningful workshops and opportunities to highlight Black Church History. Register at via the link on our Facebook page.

Join our friends and colleagues at One Shared Story for their upcoming events Celebrating Black Church History! Join them in Norfolk and Roanoke for meaningful workshops and opportunities to highlight Black Church History. Register at via the link on our Facebook page.

On behalf of all of us at DEC, we would like to THANK YOU for helping make our Descendants Day 2024 events a success! We couldn't have done it without you, and remain so deeply inspired, moved, and motivated by these events.

To all volunteers, organizers, attendees, speakers, performers, supporters, friends, family, and everyone who made these past two days possible, we extend our deepest gratitude. We look forward to our continued collaboration and journey forward together.

On behalf of all of us at DEC, we would like to THANK YOU for helping make our Descendants Day 2024 events a success! We couldn't have done it without you, and remain so deeply inspired, moved, and motivated by these events.

To all volunteers, organizers, attendees, speakers, performers, supporters, friends, family, and everyone who made these past two days possible, we extend our deepest gratitude. We look forward to our continued collaboration and journey forward together.

We had an absolutely wonderful time at our Descendant Symposium yesterday. Thanks to all who attended.

Today, we celebrate! We look forward to welcoming friends and family to our Descendants Day: The Family Reunion program today from 11-4 at the Rotunda and the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers. Here's the a great end to a powerful two days!

We had an absolutely wonderful time at our Descendant Symposium yesterday. Thanks to all who attended.

Today, we celebrate! We look forward to welcoming friends and family to our Descendants Day: The Family Reunion program today from 11-4 at the Rotunda and the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers. Here's the a great end to a powerful two days!

Today's the day!! We are BEYOND thrilled to connect with speakers, attendees, and community partners at our inaugural "From Chains to Change" Descendants Symposium.

We can't wait! Here's to a powerful and meaningful gathering. Thank you all for your support and your attendance.

Today's the day!! We are BEYOND thrilled to connect with speakers, attendees, and community partners at our inaugural "From Chains to Change" Descendants Symposium.

We can't wait! Here's to a powerful and meaningful gathering. Thank you all for your support and your attendance.

We are excited to announce that our Descendants Symposium registration now FULL! We look forward to seeing attendees tomorrow!

For more information on the program, please visit our website.

We are excited to announce that our Descendants Symposium registration now FULL! We look forward to seeing attendees tomorrow!

For more information on the program, please visit our website.

And closing out our speaker spotlight is none other than Mr. Jason George. Join us this Saturday as Nicka Sewell-Smith shares Mr. George's family history LIVE at The Rotunda! And stay around afterwards for our family reunion programming at the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers.

To RSVP, visit our website.

More about Mr. George: Jason George is an actor with over fifty guest star and nine series regular television roles to his credit in primetime television. Seen for the last five seasons of Grey’s Anatomy as Bailey’s husband, Dr. Ben Warren, Jason was also a regular on Mistresses with Alyssa Milano. George is also known for his work on Eve and Eli Stone with Victor Garber and Jonny Lee Miller or films such as PLAYING THE FIELD with Gerard Butler. Other projects include With This Ring with Jill Scott, Eve and Regina Hall, Witches Of East End, The Climb or Barbershop with Anthony Anderson and Ice Cube.

When not on stage or in front of the camera, George’s passion turns to educating and engaging with other artists and young people.

After receiving a BA from the University of Virginia, Jason went on to get his Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Temple University and served on the Board for Temple’s School of Communications and Theater. He is currently the chair of the national union’s Diversity Advisory committee, has been Chair or Co-Chair of the legacy unions’ National or Hollywood EEO Committees and has been part of the unions’ negotiating teams for the last several prime-time television and film contracts where he has been instrumental in helping protect performers and championing diversity. Jason is extremely pleased to put all of this experience to work in Collaborations Workshop, a weekly workspace he hosts for actors to further their craft and their career.

And closing out our speaker spotlight is none other than Mr. Jason George. Join us this Saturday as Nicka Sewell-Smith shares Mr. George's family history LIVE at The Rotunda! And stay around afterwards for our family reunion programming at the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers.

To RSVP, visit our website.

More about Mr. George: Jason George is an actor with over fifty guest star and nine series regular television roles to his credit in primetime television. Seen for the last five seasons of Grey’s Anatomy as Bailey’s husband, Dr. Ben Warren, Jason was also a regular on Mistresses with Alyssa Milano. George is also known for his work on Eve and Eli Stone with Victor Garber and Jonny Lee Miller or films such as PLAYING THE FIELD with Gerard Butler. Other projects include With This Ring with Jill Scott, Eve and Regina Hall, Witches Of East End, The Climb or Barbershop with Anthony Anderson and Ice Cube.

When not on stage or in front of the camera, George’s passion turns to educating and engaging with other artists and young people.

After receiving a BA from the University of Virginia, Jason went on to get his Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Temple University and served on the Board for Temple’s School of Communications and Theater. He is currently the chair of the national union’s Diversity Advisory committee, has been Chair or Co-Chair of the legacy unions’ National or Hollywood EEO Committees and has been part of the unions’ negotiating teams for the last several prime-time television and film contracts where he has been instrumental in helping protect performers and championing diversity. Jason is extremely pleased to put all of this experience to work in Collaborations Workshop, a weekly workspace he hosts for actors to further their craft and their career.

We're also glad to feature artist Ms. Marisa Williamson as one of our featured speakers! Ms. Williamson is a project-based artist and professor at UVA who will be speaking on "Cultural Preservation: Celebrating Heritage and Identity Through Arts and Culture." You won't want to miss this!

The symposium is almost here! Visit www.descendantsuva.org to learn more.

We're also glad to feature artist Ms. Marisa Williamson as one of our featured speakers! Ms. Williamson is a project-based artist and professor at UVA who will be speaking on "Cultural Preservation: Celebrating Heritage and Identity Through Arts and Culture." You won't want to miss this!

The symposium is almost here! Visit www.descendantsuva.org to learn more.

Today's speaker spotlight is Dr. Andrea Douglas. Dr. Douglas is the founding executive director of the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, a sponsor of our Symposium and friend of DEC. We look forward to hearing from Dr. Douglas in just a few short days! Register today!

Visit our website to RSVP.

Today's speaker spotlight is Dr. Andrea Douglas. Dr. Douglas is the founding executive director of the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, a sponsor of our Symposium and friend of DEC. We look forward to hearing from Dr. Douglas in just a few short days! Register today!

Visit our website to RSVP.

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