August 21, 2026 – Sotterley will launch a Descendant Empowerment Day as part of our annual Day of Unity and Healing. This event provides an opportunity to collaborate with descendants and regional leaders in a welcoming environment where every voice matters.

We invite descendants, educators, museum professionals, students, historians, faith leaders, preservationists, and community members to join us on Friday, August 21st, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM for an inspiring day of learning, leadership, and collaboration.

Our interactive workshops and discussions will provide tools for truth-telling, leadership, and reconciliation. These sessions are designed to strengthen personal leadership while exploring practical approaches from leaders who are shaping the future of public history, interpretation, preservation, and community healing. Participants will learn to discover the power of their own family history, build confidence in sharing personal stories, and develop skills that support public engagement and community change.

We hope you can join us for an afternoon designed to equip participants with tools for leadership, storytelling, and community engagement.

Workshops:

Speaking with Integrity with Dr. Francine Dove Hawkins

Understanding Implicit Bias with Sybol Anderson, Executive Director of Leadership Southern Maryland

Courageous Conversations with Shemika Renee, Historical Interpreter and Actress

Museum Studies: How Public History Works with Katherine Humphries, Interpretive Programs Manager for Historic Sotterley

Legacy Building with Gwen Bankins, President of Historic Sotterley’s Board of Trustees and Sotterley Descendant, and Dante Eubanks, Sotterley Descendant

Workshop titles may change. 

Dr. Joan M.E. Gaither will also begin a two-day quilting workshop on Friday that will continue during Saturday’s event.

Register Here!