Historic Sotterley’s Day of Unity and Healing is a Descendant planned event that remembers and celebrates our complete American Heritage and all Descendants through leadership, education, history and the arts.

This year’s event, Beyond Color: The Power of Connection, will be held on August 19, 2023 from 10:00am to 12:30pm. One of the first steps to healing is understanding the truth about our history and building bridges of understanding to move forward and create a better community and country. The event will feature a keynote from Rev. Lawrence Ellis Walker, Sr., speakers, music, a performance by Washington Revels Jubilee Voices, brief video screenings, and a UNESCO Remembrance Ceremony. After the event, guests can visit the historic barn for a display of Documentary Story Quilts and walk through Historic Sotterley’s exhibits.

“It starts with every individual being open to listening and learning. We can’t change our history, but we can reflect, learn, and heal to build a better tomorrow.” – Gwen Bankins and Jan Briscoe Descendants and Historic Sotterley Board Trustees

This event is free and open to the public, but we request that attendees register in advance.

Register HERE

Event Attractions:

The Washington Revels Jubilee Voices ensemble will present songs and stories of struggle and perseverance, trials and triumphs expressed through acapella music, drama and dance

On display will be Documentary Story Quilts by Dr. Joan M.E. Gaither which reflect the personal stories of life experiences of other people, places and events that keep connections to our American Heritage capture and record oral histories and memories that bring and eye and ear to humanitarian concerns.

Presenters: Daryl Hinman, Lucille Walker, Common Groove Band, Shamika Renee, Janice Walthour, Dorothy Waters

Artist Nicole Stewart will unveil the first few portraits of the Historic Sotterley Descendants Portrait Project

Descendants: Dante Eubanks, Kelsey Bush, Jan Briscoe, Gwen Bankins, Jerome Spears, Angela Wilson

UNESCO Remembrance Ceremony, Return Passage Highlights

Video: Walking and Talking Common Ground

**Please note, we will not have morning guided tours due to this event. Guided tours will resume at 1pm.**