19

PressRelease

WILLIAMSBURG,Va.,August11,2023–

JamestownSettlementwillhonorthelegacy of the first recorded Africans brought to Virginia in 1619 with special programming that reflects on history through an African American lens on Saturday, August 19, featuring a moderated conversation on the roleoflandandplaceincreatingcommunity andestablishingfreedomfrom1619forward

The First Africans Commemoration program will feature dialogue between historian Tony Cohen and anthropologist Chadra Pittman moderated by Barbara Hamm Lee, executive producerand host of “AnotherView”radiotalkshow.

The 90-minute program begins at 2 p.m. in the Robins Foundation Theater and is included with museum admission. The conversationwillincludetimeforquestions frommembersoftheaudience

Barbara Hamm Lee is executive producer and host of “Another View,” a weekly radio talk show on 89.5 WHRV-FM thatexaminestoday’sissuesfromanAfrican Americanperspective Shealsoistheowner of Sharing Info LLC a media communications consulting company in Norfolk, Virginia.

Chadra Pittman is an anthropologist, author, activist and the founder and executive director of The Sankofa (San-KoyFuh) Projects, an educational, cultural and social justice organization focused on African Diaspora. She leads the International Day of Remembrance at Buckroe Beach in Hampton now in its 13th year and the only ceremonyinCoastalVirginiathathonorsthe millionsofAfricanswhoperishedalongthe MiddlePassage.

Tony Cohen is a historian, author and the founder and president of the Menare Foundation, Inc., a national non-profit organization “preserving the legacy of the UndergroundRailroad.”TheMenareFoun- dation,Inc.operatestheButtonFarmLiving History Center a 40-acre farm depicting 1850splantationlifeinMaryland.

Gallery Exhibits Share

Historical Accounts of the West Central African Culture

Accompanying the program, guests can learn about African and African American experiences in 17th-century Virginia in JamestownSettlement’spermanentgallery exhibits,dramaticfilmsandengaginginteractives that share the story of Virginia Indian, English and West Central African cultures

Exhibits, featuring period artifacts and innovative technology, share histori- cal accounts of the first documented Africans taken from their homeland in Ndongo (Angola)in1619tolifeintheVirginiacolony, establishment of slave laws and the evolutionofanewAfricanAmericanculture The “FromAfricatoVirginia”multimediatheater chroniclesAfricanencounterswithEuropeans,impactonAfricancultureandthedevelopmentofthetransatlanticslavetrade

The “1607: A Nation Takes Root” docudrama traces the evolution of the Virginia Company that sponsored the Jamestown colony, examines the relationship between the English colonists and Powhatan Indians and chronicles the arrival of the first recorded Africans in 1619 – including the story of Angelo, one of the first African women named in Jamestown’s historical record.

How to Attend the Event

The First Africans Commemoration special event is included with museum admission:$18.00foradults,$9.00forages 6-12andfreeforchildrenages5andunder Parking is free Residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg, includingWilliam&Marystudents,receive free admission with proof of residency Jamestown Settlement, open daily 9 a.m.to5p.m.exceptThanksgiving,Christmas and New Year’s Day, is located at 2110 Jamestown Road near Williamsburg For more information, call (757) 253-4838 or visitjyfmuseums.org Followthemuseums on social media @jyfmuseums.org

LEGO Store coming to Virginia Beach Town Center in November

ByTheVirginian-PilotStaff

AnewLegoStoreiscomingtoTownCenterofVirginiaBeachthisfall,the companyannouncedWednesday.

OpeninginNovember,the3,170-square-footretailspacewillbelocatedat 172 Central Park Ave. and will feature in-store play experiences free build challenges and monthly events, according toa newsrelease Thecompany said members of the Lego VIP loyalty program can receive benefits at the newlocation,includinggiftsandpoints

Thestorewillalsohaveexclusiveproductsandmerchandiseonlyavailable fromLegostores TheLegoGroupcurrentlyhas112Legostoresthroughout NorthAmerica.

“We are proud to have one of the most iconic toy brands in history open at Town Center of Virginia Beach,” said Lindsay Bangel, who focuses on specialtyretailatDivarisRealEstate “TheLegobrandhasatimelessappeal andfosterscreativityandlearningforchildrenandadults Weareconfident that this store will quickly become a beloved destination for families and Legoenthusiaststhroughouttheregion.”

(PHOTOCOURTESYSHUTTERSTOCK/AGSAZ)