2nd Annual International Day of Remembrance at Buckroe Beach, Hampton Virginia by Chadra Pittman Walke

The tradition of Remembrance seeks to honor the millions of African men, women and children who perished during the Middle Passage of the Transatlantic Enslavement Trade. Remembrance 2013 was a beautiful outpouring of the diversity of our Hampton community and many others who traveled from Ohio, North Carolina, Richmond, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, Maryland to remember with us. The 175 people who gathered at Buckroe Beach came to honor these ancestors , recognize the importance of our shared history and acknowledge the need to heal from the wounds of our collective past. The sky held back the rain and we were spared from the pending storm which was looming above our heads. Partners for this year’s event were: Project 1619, Inc., the Contraband Historical Society, Hampton Parks and Recreation and the Hampton History Museum. The participants on the program gave freely of their time and talents to pay tribute and celebrate these ancestors. The overwhelming sentiment was that Remembrance was cathartic, educational, spiritual, celebratory filled with cultural expressions which honored whose final resting place became the choppy waters of the Atlantic Ocean. For a second year in row, Remembrance connected the Commonwealth of Virginia with this International movement of healing and remembrance as we simultaneously poured a powerful and moving communal libation. We poured with South Carolina, New York, Seattle, Washington, Panama and Ghana, West Africa as we are one community remembering our past, our history and the lives of our ancestors. The city of Hampton is where enslavement began in 1619 with the first "20 and odd" Africans landing at Point Comfort, now Fort Monroe and Fort Monroe became known as "Freedom's Fortress" with thousands of enslaved Africans seeking freedom during the Civil war and became known as "Contrabands of War". Remembrance in Hampton is incredibly significant as this is the place where slavery began in North America. Remembrance seeks to heal from that painful past and preserve the memory of those who perished during the Transatlantic voyage. We are doing as Toni Cade Bambara suggested many years ago- "we are tapping into that ancestral presence" in the waters and we do this in Remembrance of them with honor, respect and love!

Day of Remembrance...

Hampton Remembers: 2nd Annual International Ritual of Remembrance Ceremony at Buckroe Beach On Saturday, June 8, 2013, The Sankofa Projects will host its 2nd Annual International Ritual of Remembrance ceremony on Buckroe Beach in Hampton, VA from 11:00am - 1:00pm. The location of the ceremony will be to the far left of the main stage and beach front at North 1st and Pilot Avenue. The tradition of Remembrance honors and pays tribute to the millions of African, men, women and children who perished during the Middle Passage of the Transatlantic Enslavement Trade. For the past 23 years, annually on the second Saturday in June, Tributes to the Ancestors/Remembrance ceremonies have occurred in cities throughout the United States and across the globe. A communal libation (spiritual pouring of water) occurs at 12:00 noon simultaneously in Charleston, South Carolina; Brooklyn, New York; Hampton, Virginia; Florida and California, Seattle, Washington and St. Croix, Virgin Islands and internationally in Ghana, West Africa and Portobelo, Panama. Again this year, the traditional libation will be performed by Baba Ifalade of Ile Nago at Buckroe Beach. Join us for a day of healing as we gather around the “Tree of Remembrance”, at the water and on the beach for reflections, drumming, spoken word, a traditional libation and expressions of cultural traditions and prayers. Distinguished guest speaker will be the Honorable Dr. Mary T. Christian, Former House of Delegates. Historical Presentations by Calvin Pearson of Project 1619, Inc., Dance performances by Afro-Cuban Dancer Ife Michelle and The Ubuntu Dance Collective Children directed by Founder, Sunshine Allison. Dr. Joanne M. Braxton, Founder of the Middle Passage Project at the College of William and Mary will read from her play, “Crossing a Deep River: A Ritual Drama in Three Movements”, Ms. Maat Free, Guardian of African Ancestral Remembrance in Richmond, VA will lead our journey through “The Forest of Family Trees”, Presentation given by Author Linda Holmes, Spoken word by Poets LaShawne Bryant and Marisa Poulson and Singer/Songwriter Narissa Bond will perform. “Recognizing the historical significance of Virginia as the birthplace of slavery in America, I knew we had to begin this tradition of Remembrance in the Commonwealth and in the city of Hampton in particular. Hampton is quite unique as it sits on both ends of the spectrum with regards to enslavement and the pursuit of freedom in America. From the arrival of the first ‘20 and odd’ Africans to Point Comfort in 1619 to the ‘Contraband decision’, the beginning and what would become the end of slavery occurred in Hampton.” states Chadra Pittman Walke, Executive Director of The Sankofa Projects; creator of National and International Ritual of Remembrance ceremonies. This event is free and the public is welcome to observe. We ask attendees to wear white clothing, bring beach chairs and umbrellas to shade you. You may bring fresh flowers for the offering. Partners for this year’s ceremony are Project 1619, Inc., the Contraband Historical Society, Hampton Parks and Recreation and the Hampton History Museum. For more information, contact Chadra Pittman Walke of The Sankofa Projects at chadrapw@gmail.com or 757-816-1579. ###

2nd Annual International Ritual of Remembrance at Buckroe Beach- Hampton Virginia on June 8th 11-1pm

152nd Anniversary of the Contraband Decision

Ritual of Remembrance created for Contraband Day, Saturday, May 25, 2013

National Park Service News Release For Immediate Release: May 13, 2013 Contacts: Eola Dance, National Park Service, eola_dance@nps.gov, 757-722-3678 Phyllis Terrell, Fort Monroe Authority, pterrell@fmauthority.org, 757-251-2754 Fort Monroe to Commemorate the “Contraband Decision” and “Contrabands” on the Road to Emancipation Fort Monroe, VA – In recognition of the 152nd Anniversary of the “Contraband Decision” the National Park Service, Fort Monroe Authority, Hampton Department of Parks and Recreation, Contraband Historical Society, and Project 1619 are sponsoring a day of commemorative events May 25, 2013, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Join us at the Fort Monroe Theatre at 10:00 am for the Contraband Ritual of Remembrance & Opening Ceremony, immediately followed by the play Battle from Darkness to Light: Mary Peake First Teacher of the Freed People; and hourly living history walking tours of the historic fort leaving from Cannon Park at 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm. All events are free and open to the public. Free parking available onsite. Please respect residents and do not park in reserved spaces. Bring a picnic basket and spend the day enjoying all that Fort Monroe has to offer. About the Program– This day of commemorative events captures the complexity of Civil War history at Fort Monroe and explores the individual stories that help history come alive; Superintendent Talken-Spaulding stated “the impact of General Benjamin Butler’s “Contraband Decision” and the experiences of freedom seekers in the “Contraband,” community represents a key paradigm shift in Civil War history that forever changed the realities of slavery and freedom in the United States; we hope that you will join us and investigate our Nation’s history at Fort Monroe.” 10:00 am at the Fort Monroe Theatre, 42 Tidball Rd, Hampton, VA 23651, participate in the Contraband Ritual of Remembrance, orchestrated by Sankofa Projects, giving honor to all ancestors who paved the way for us today. This opportunity for reflection and reconciliation includes ancestral drumming and a pouring of libations. 11:00 am at the Fort Monroe Theatre, witness the City of Hampton’s Urban Performing Arts production Battle from Darkness to Light: Mary Peake First Teacher of the Freed People; theatre goers will be treated to this stage play that honors the life of Mary Peake and tells the story of two fictious enslaved mothers who made the brave journey to the contraband camp at Fortress Monroe. The play was written by local playwright, Marie St.Clair and stars the Inner-tainer Theatre Troupe and the music of the Community Spirit Vocal Ensemble, directed by Debra Petteway. 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm Cannon Park, the intersection of Ingalls & Ruckman Rd. just before Main Gate, join us for living history walking tours at the top of each hour as we follow the presumed footsteps of freedom seekers like Martha Ann Fields as portrayed by Ajena Rogers, decedent of the Fields family; consider the politics and consequences of Gen. Benjamin Butler’s “Contraband Decision” at Quarters #1, presented by Tony Gabriele of the Contraband Historical Society; and visit the Algernourne Oak, a living witness to over 400 years of history including the abbreviated assignment of Harriett Tubman to Fort Monroe performance by distinguished interpreter Charmaine Crowell-White. Brief History of the “Contraband Decision” – As the American Civil War commenced and Virginia’s citizens ratified the state’s secession ordinance on May 23, 1861, three enslaved men known to us today as Frank Baker, Sheppard Mallory, and James Townsend fled to Union held Fort Monroe. Major General Benjamin Butler having arrived to his appointment just days prior, was confronted by the men, Butler questioned returning the men to bondage as required by the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 or allowing them sanctuary. Butler reasoned Virginia was no longer part of the United States and therefore the 1850 law did not apply. Further, these enslaved men were being used against the nation and could be retained as “contraband of war.” The news of refuge at Fort Monroe spread quickly and by the end of July 900 freedom seekers; men, women, and children, found their way to Fort Monroe. By their brave actions this powerful event became known as the pivotal “Contraband Decision” and the fort was christened “Freedom’s Fortress”. As the “contraband” community out grew the fort, Gen. Butler authorized the building of the “Grand Contraband Camp” in an abandoned area of Hampton. Over the course of time, more than 10,000 freedom seekers found their way to Freedom’s Fortress and camps in the area leading up to the close of the war in 1865. Like freedom seeker James Apostles Field, who escaped to Fort Monroe in 1862 and was later met by his mother Martha Ann Fields and siblings in 1864. In response to the growing community, the American Missionary Association established schools, hiring Mary Smith Peake in 1861 leading to the establishment of Hampton Normal School, known today, as Hampton University. The need for medical attention led to the recruitment of Harriet Tubman as the head matron of the hospital for African Americans and United States Colored Troops; though she only remained for a few short months due to false promises and poor conditions. The multi-faceted history of Fort Monroe spans over 400 years. Included in the history of the fort, also known as Point Comfort, is the arrival of the first Africans brought to the English colonies. As pointed out in the Presidential Proclamation establishing the National Monument, this “arch of slavery” distinguishes Fort Monroe as witness to the beginning and end of slavery in America. Three years after the “Contraband Decision” the Union supported the enlistment of black regiments resulting in the formation of the USCT, further the decision was a forerunner to President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, and the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, in 1865 abolishing slavery in the United States. www.nps.gov -- Chadra Pittman Walke Mother ~ Anthropologist ~ Writer ~ Advocate Founder, COLLAGE www.facebook.com/groups/pariahinthe757 Founder, The Sankofa Projects www.thesankofaprojects.blogspot.com www.facebook.com

Tribute to our Ancestors---REMEMBRANCE at Buckroe Beach Hampton, Virginia June 8, 2013

Hampton First at Fort Monroe

Hampton First at Point Comfort Sunday, April 28 2-3:30 pm At the gazebo next to The Chamberlin at Fort Monroe Join us to recognize native inhabitants, European settlers who arrived in 1607, and enslaved Africans brought to the New World in 1619 whose melding of cultures began what is now Hampton, and whose impact and legacy pervades our society today. Opening Remarks George Wallace Vice Mayor, City of Hampton Gospel Selections Brenda D.Tucker (Doswell) Soprano Soloist Speakers Cassandra L. Newby-Alexander, Ph.D. Professor of History Norfolk State University Project 1619 Mike Cobb Curator, Hampton History Museum Deanna Beacham American Indian Program Manager National Park Service, Chesapeake Bay Chadra Pittman Walke The Sankofa Projects Closing Ceremony Weyanoke Association for Red-Black Culture Traditional Music & Dance