Giving Voice to the life of Ancestor Educator Mary Smith Peake

Giving voice to the Ancestors and excavating the untold stories of the freedom fighters and pioneers who paved the way has been the focus of my work since my time at the New York African Burial Ground Project nearly 30 years ago. In 2015, I began performing Historical Reenactments of Ancestor Mary Smith Peake and have continued to give voice to her life and story. She was a free woman and risked her life and safety to educate free and enslaved Africans. She taught the children of the enslaved the newly freed and is known to have recited the first public reading of the Emancipation Proclamation under the Emancipation Oak tree on Hampton University. I've performed at Heritage Day the past two years and for the National Park Services Freedom Seekers Summer Youth Experience at Fort Monroe last July.

Honored to do this sacred work!!! Honored to tell her story. Honored to honor these beloved Ancestors!!!! Left photo Mary Smith Peake Right photo; Reenactor Chadra Pittman Walke

Image on left from Under the Freedom Tree by Susan VanHecke Image on right Pittman Walke as Mary Smith Peake at Fort Monore- Freedom Seekers Summer Youth Experience #TheSANKOFAProjects #MarySmithPeake #FortMonroeNationalMonument

Nevertheless SHE Persisted Women's Conference at Tidewater Community College March 24, 2018

Nevertheless She Persisted Conference Tidewater Community College #TheSANKOFAProjects #TCCWomensConference2018 Honored...I was invited by Alicia Phillips, Assoc Director for the Student Center at Tidewater Community College to participate in a panel discussion for TCC's Women's History Month program on March 24, 2018.

I gave remarks on Intersectionality and because my work is rooted in honoring Ancestors and advocating against violence with my organization 4 EVER(EndViolenceEndRape) I give homage to the warrior women who have been killed and silenced because of their activism. I spoke their names so that there stories and their work could live on; calling the names of the Mirabal sisters who were murdered in the Dominican Republic and Black Human Rights Activist, Marielle Franco who was murdered in Brazil just a week before this conference. We must honor the slain, the women who became Ancestors because the world feared their voices.

The conference was a GREAT gathering of women and concerned men. Truly, it was an honor to speak on the panel and be in a room with those who are focused on moving issues affecting women forward ...front and center politically and personally. Deeply grateful to Alicia for inviting me to take part in this occasion. Alicia did an outstanding job organizing this conference!!! Well done sis ...!!!!

#NeverthelessShePersisted #TCC #TheSANKOFAProjects **Images property of TCC Images owned by TCC

Mark Your CALENDAR for Heritage Day 2018

Hampton Heritage Day 2018 April 21—Save the Date! Join in commemorating the Native American, European and African cultures that have shaped our community. Enjoy traditional music, dance and storytelling and other performances and presentations that will take place throughout the day, hands-on family activities, cultural displays and demonstrations, glassblowing, blacksmithing, wool spinning, food, heritage arts & crafts, and more to honor those who came before us. This free event will take place from 10 am to 5 pm on Queens Way between Wine Street and Kings Way in Downtown Hampton, and it is being held in conjunction with the International Children's Festival. Event overview: https://tinyurl.com/yagz68n6 For more information visit www.HamptonHistoryMuseum.org, or call 757-727-1102. Pictured here is Chadra Pittman Walke, Founder and Executive Director of The Sankofa Projects. Visit Hampton, Virginia!, Downtown Hampton, Hampton, VA - Gov

More than a Dream... Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.

So today we acknowledge Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr....a man, a father, a husband, a brother, a son, a preacher, a civil rights activist, a human being, a warrior doing great works for equality and justice. His life was snuffed out by hatred, racism, opposers to justice and snakes in his camp who were jealous and didn't clap for him as he climbed. Trust...there are always some in the midst. The fight continues... I thank you to those who continue to do the work and fight the good fight for justice. On today, I shout out my dear Tyrell Cooper who is working today hosting a BRILLIANT program they are orchestrating in Harford, CT. So proud of you love. Even without the support, you made this event happen!!! You are making the Ancestors proud as you honor Dr. King. To my sis Kay Hicks... all the best with your MLK program today in Richmond. Kay works tirelessly to end gun violence through legislative tactics. Thank you for all you do sis. You as well... remember the fallen and honor the departed. If you are in Richmond, please support this program. Remember beloveds, Martin did more than dream...he acted, resisted, spoke out and fought for justice. What are you going to do to make your mark in this world? How will you defend justice? How will you leave the world a better place for the generations to come? How will you dismantle racism, sexism, homophobia, ageism, transphobia, xenophobia poverty, homelessness, misogyny, sexual violence, Islamophobia and every form of systemic oppression? Beloveds, what will you do to ensure that the legacy of freedom and equality lives on? We must not allow the dream to be deferred. In the infamous words of Spike Lee, beloveds... "Wake Up" before it's too late!!! #TheTimeIsNow #TheSANKOFAProjects #4EVER (EndViolenceEndRape 4EVER) #MoreThanADream #AncestorDrMartinLutherKingJr

Congratulations Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax

CONGRATULATIONS to Attorney Justin Fairfax on his win as Virginia's Lieutenant Governor. Pictured here with my dear heart, the Honorable Dr. Mary T. Christian, the first woman and 1st African American appointed to the House of Delegates in Virginia post Reconstruction and she served 9 consecutive terms representing the 92nd District. Continued success Lt. Governor Fairfax!!!! #ThisIsAmericanHistory #TheSANKOFAProjects #4EVER

World Renowned Biofilm and Conversations with the Film Makers Karen Thorsen and Douglas Dempsey- Saturday, October 28th at 2pm at the Fort Monroe Theatre

October 28th Fort Monroe Theatre 2pm