[History And Legacy]
August 17th and 20th, honor the First Africans who arrived in America on British occupied territory at Point Comfort (Fort Monroe) at the Third annual African Landing Day Commemoration, a program being presented by the City of Hampton, Project 1619 Inc., NJOF Contraband Historical Society, and The Sankofa Projects.
This year’s program will include an interactive panel discussion entitled, “The Preservation of African History and Culture in Colonial America;” a Virginia Juneteenth Jazz & Heritage Reconciliation & Healing Concert featuring Reverend Ron Myers Sr. MD, Todd Ledbetter, Herman Burney, Bob Ransom Jr., Junie McDonald, and William “MoBetter” Ledbetter; and participation in the World Day of Reconciliation & Healing from the Legacy of Enslavement Prayer Service.
In addition, there will be a Ritual Day of Remembrance by The Sankofa Projects featuring a libation, drumming, and dancers. The events will take place at The American Theatre and Fort Monroe. The cost for each activity varies from free to $20.
Third annual African Landing Day Commemoration 2013 Schedule
1. Saturday, August 17
Symposium
An interactive panel discussion on the Preservation of African History and Culture in Colonial America
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The American Theatre
125 E. Mellen Street
Hampton, VA 23663
Free
2. Saturday, August 17
Virginia Juneteenth Jazz & Heritage Reconciliation & Healing Concert
Featuring Reverend Ron Myers, Sr. MD; Todd Ledbetter, Herman Burney, Bob Ransom, Jr.; Junie McDonald; and William “MoBetter” Ledbetter.
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
The American Theatre
125 E. Mellen Street, Hampton, VA 23663
$20 per person; discount for seniors and children
3. Tuesday, August 20
World Day of Reconciliation & Healing from the Legacy of Enslavement Prayer Service
Noon
Near Continental Park
Fort Monroe
Hampton, VA 23651
Free
4. Tuesday, August 20
Ritual Day of Remembrance
Presented by The Sankofa Projects, the ritual includes a libation, drumming, and dancers to honor the first Africans to arrive in British North America.
6:00 p.m.
Near Continental Park, Fort Monroe, Hampton, VA 23651
Free
For further information on the Third annual African Landing Day Commemoration, contact Calvin Pearson at 757/380-1319 or Reverend Ron Myers at 662/392-2016. Additional information can be found at www.project1619.com or www.juneteenthjazz.com
Project 1619, Inc. is a national non-profit organization based in Hampton, Virginia dedicated to remembering and honoring the first Africans that arrived on English occupied territory in 1619, at what is now Old Point Comfort on Fort Monroe. In 2019, the City of Hampton and Project 1619 will commemorate the 400th anniversary of this arrival.
The organization is in the process of raising funds, with the hope of building a national monument in time for the anniversary. For more info, check out www.project1619.org
Partially bordered by the Hampton Roads harbor and Chesapeake Bay, Hampton, with the 344,000 sq. ft. Hampton Roads Convention Center, is located in the center of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area.
Hampton is the site of America’s first continuous English-speaking settlement and is home to such visitor attractions as the Virginia Air & Space Center and Riverside IMAX Theater, Hampton Maritime Center, Hampton History Museum, harbor tours and cruises, Hampton University Museum, Fort Monroe, award-winning Hampton Coliseum, The American Theatre, among others.
