Still Here: Black Survival, Joy, and Community at America's 250th

We've seen celebrations of "forefathers" and "heros" as we've neared the 250th anniversary of this country, with the role of the enslaved often missing from the conversation.

Because of this, DEC has heard a repeated question: "Where are we in all this?"

Our answer? "Still Here."

Whether you're a genealogist, an activist, or an artist -- history shows that our ancestors and their descendants have always shown up for one another, and this annual gathering is just one example.

This year for our symposium, we're thrilled to welcome an impressive line-up of organizers, educators, academics, and artists to provide examples for how descendants have always and will continue to make their mark on history.

We're excited to share that Nikole Hannah Jones of will be leading the charge during our keynote!

Hannah-Jones is the Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of the 1619 Project and a staff writer at The New York Times Magazine. The book version of The 1619 Project was a #1 New York Times bestsellers, and is now a six-part docuseries on Hulu.

Hannah-Jones has spent her career investigating racial inequality and injustice. She also serves as the Knight Chair of Race and Journalism at Howard University, where she founded the Center for Journalism & Democracy. Hannah-Jones is also the co-founder of the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, which seeks to increase the number of investigative reporters and editors of color, and in 2022 she opened the1619 Freedom School, a free, after-school literacy program in her hometown of Waterloo, Iowa. Hannah-Jones holds a Master of Arts in Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned her BA in History and African-American studies from the University of Notre Dame.

DEC centers our roots and our families, and this year will be no different. Join us in September to attend sessions on a wide variety of topics, ranging from genealogy beginnings to art's place in resistance. Whether you're looking for ways to further tap in to your community, or just have the opportunity to sit and break bread with like-minded descendants, we're looking forward to having you!

We'll have more info on the day's agenda soon - keep an eye here and on our social media!

• Member Price: Free Admission: Utilize the code you received in your email, and apply it at checkout to receive your member-only discount.
• General Price: $30: This includes access to all of the day's plenaries and breakout sessions, as well as a light breakfast, lunch, and heavy hors d'oeuvres
• Pay-It-Forward: $45: This price allows for further support of DEC, allowing us to continue planning events like these without barrier.
• Group Pricing (10 or more) Available Upon Request: Reach out to us at [email protected].

We've secured a room block at the Courtyard Marriott Charlottesville!

• The Courtyard is located at 638 Hillsdale Drive Charlottesville, Virginia, USA, 22901, about 6 miles from the airport.
• You can book on September 25 or 26 for $229/n.
• Parking at the Courtyard Marriott is $10/day.

To book your room at this rate, please use this link or call the Courtyard Marriott directly (434-973-7100) to speak with them about the DEC room block to gain access to this rate.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Center at Belvedere, 540 Belvedere Boulevard, Charlottesville, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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