The First Civil Rights: Black Political Activism After Claiming Freedom



Panel Discussion Explores Virginia’s First Black Legislators



Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.



Join us at the Library of Virginia on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 6:00 p.m. for a panel discussion on The First Civil Rights: Black Political Activism After Claiming Freedom. This Black History Month event celebrates the completion of a signature project from the Library of Virginia, Virginia Humanities and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission to document the lives and achievements of Virginia's first Black legislators. Their stories are now part of the collective digital story of our state thanks to a collaboration with Encyclopedia Virginia, a rich online resource.



Panelists for the program, moderated by Virginia Humanities executive director Matthew Gibson, include the Honorable Viola Baskerville, one of the founders of the project; Lauranett Lee, public historian and University of Richmond adjunct assistant professor; Ajena Rogers, supervisory park ranger at the National Park Service's Maggie L. Walker Historic Site and a descendant of Black legislator James A. Fields; and historian and author Brent Tarter, a retired editor with the Library of Virginia.



This event is part of the Library’s 200th anniversary celebration. Find more events and information at: https://www.lva.virginia.gov/200/?blm_aid=34814



The event is free, but registration is required. You can learn more and register at: https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/10200777?blm_aid=34814





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This list is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).