An accessible, single-volume, highly visual history that tells the remarkable story of four centuries of Black history in Virginia. Intended for general audiences, this publication presents a concise overview of four centuries of Black history in Virgini - from the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in 1619, through slavery and emancipation, segregation and the Civil Rights Movement, the election of the first Black President and present-day racial justice activism. Across these four centuries, Black Virginians have fought against various forms of oppression and, in the process, have brought about meaningful changes in American society. Their efforts have pushed our nation closer to its ideal of universal equality, yet America still struggles with widespread iniquities and systemic racism rooted in the long legacy of slavery and racial discrimination. Determined presents a chronological survey of this history through the stories of thirty five key individuals and events in Virginia that shaped the fight for Black equity. Although focused on Virginia, this is very much an American story, not only because Black people have shaped America’s economic, political, and cultural identity, but also because Virginia has played a formative and central role in national race relations. Determined fills a great need for an accessible, responsible, comprehensive, and current publication about the history of race and racism in the Commonwealth since 1619. This need is particularly urgent given the events of 2020 which have prompted a national reckoning with our long history of systemic racism. Determined will foster a greater understanding of how we got to this moment, while also providing inspiration for how to make change and move our nation ever-closer to its ideal of universal equality. AUTHOR: Dr. Karen Sherry is a curator specialising in American history and material culture with 20 years of museum experience. Since 2017, she has served as a curator at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture (Virginia Historical Society), where she organised the exhibitions Determined: The 400-Year Struggle for Black Equality and Agents of Change: Female Activism in Virginia from Women’s Suffrage to Today. Previously, she held curatorial positions at the Portland Museum of Art (Maine, 2012 2015) and Brooklyn Museum (2005 2012). Sherry has published, lectured, and organised exhibitions on a range of topics related to American history and culture. She has also received numerous fellowships and grants, including from the National Endowment for the Arts, Luce Foundation, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Smithsonian Institution. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in art history from the University of Delaware, and a B.A. from Boston University. 147 colour illustrations
