Coming Soon: The Black Loyalists (July 8)

Nichole Hill, creator of *Our Ancestors Were Messy*, leads a live discussion at the Moreland-Spingarn Research Center exploring the "messy" and dramatic lives of Black ancestors during the American Revolutionary era. Commemorating the upcoming semi-quincentennial of the Declaration of Independence, the conversation centers on the often-overlooked presence and agency of Black people in colonial history. Featuring Tressie McMillian Cottom and *Code Switch* hosts B.A. Parker and Gene Demby, the panel examines the complexities of navigating interracial spaces in a post-slavery environment. They highlight the story of David, a veteran seeking a "promised land," to illustrate the hopefulness and naivete required to negotiate freedom during a period of immense social upheaval. The discussion emphasizes that storytelling is a vital tool for world-building, particularly when individuals are faced with choices larger than their immediate circumstances.