The Speakers
Keynote Speaker Karen tells the story of her family’s reclamation of the former plantation where her ancestors had been enslaved.
A swath of speakers presented at Menokin’s First Descendants’ Day. Here are images of the presenters. The full videos of the presentations are available upon request.
Images below from left to right:
1 - Judith Gordon welcomes everyone with gratitude, and tells the story of her great great grandfather, Daniel West Gordon, who had been enslaved at Menokin.
2 - Genealogist and Historian, Bessida Cauthorne White tells the story of her work with Menokin Descendants through her research and outreach.
3 - Alice French, Director of Education and Research, tells the story of Menokin.
4 - A crowded tent of attendees listens attentively to the slate of speakers.
5 - Master of Ceremonies, Frank Johnson, a descendant of Daniel West Gordon, guides the day’s activities and speaks eloquently to the efforts underway with the Menokin Descendant Collective.
6 - Menokin Descendant Research Associate, Kiana Wilkerson, leads a Q&A as the day winds down before all gather for dinner.
7 - Judith Gordon in front of the restored photograph of Daniel Gordon, her great-great-grandfather, who had been enslaved at Menokin.
Photographs by Michael Beller, Reginald A. Pearman and Attendees.
