Share this @internewscast.com

In an unprecedented act, descendants of some of the most prominent Civil Rights leaders from the 1950s and ’60s and other foundational historic figures are gathering at the White House on Tuesday, some convening in the same room for the first time.

The families of Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington, Ida B. Wells, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Emmett Till, and Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, among others, are scheduled to attend.

The Descendants, as the group calls itself, will pay homage to their familial legacies as they celebrate the Black History Month event hosted by the Biden-Harris administration.

Joshua Jordison, one of the behind-the-scenes coordinators for The Descendants, said discussions to bring this group together began several years ago. 

“It was amazing that many of them had never met,” he said.

Invitations went out to other notable families, organizers said, although some were unable to attend due to scheduling and other factors.

“Having carried the ancestral weight of history upon our shoulders, The Descendants possess the unique ability to lead our nation in a much-needed spirit of collaboration and community,” Kenneth B. Morris Jr., a descendent of Frederick Douglass and his first wife, Anna Murray Douglass, told NBC News.

“This historic event marks the beginning of coalescing The Descendants’ families and like-minded leaders and organizations to catalyze transformative positive societal change amongst the most significant challenges faced by our country,” Morris said. 

Morris is also a descendant of Booker T. Washington, he said, whose families were joined by marriage in the 1940s.

Through the nonprofit he co-founded, Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, Morris’ work and that of his mother, Nettie Washington Douglass, has centered around antiracism and human rights. But he stressed that while he helped organize the convening, it is not about one person or family. “It’s an equal collaboration. We are all coming together,” he said.

Ernestine “Tina” Martin Wyatt is a great-great-great-grandniece of Harriet Tubman. The Washington, D.C., resident hosts an annual Harriet Tubman Day celebration in the district to educate the public about the contributions of her famed ancestor. She said she was “excited” to meet the descendants of fellow freedom fighters.

Nearly 100 other guests are also expected to attend. Morris is among those expected to give remarks at the White House reception, along with several members of the Congressional Black Caucus and administration officials. Organizers were not sure if the president or vice president would stop by. 

Beyond the official gathering, a series of activities for the descendant families will be held in the district on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Their itinerary is expected to include stops at the U.S. Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, Supreme Court and a tour of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, as well as dinners and opportunities for group dialogue.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Texas police officer gunned down by wanted fugitive in violent arrest attempt: officials

Wanted Fugitive Fatally Shoots Texas Police Officer During Arrest, Authorities Report

Tragedy struck in Texas as a police officer was shot and killed…
Mayor Deegan: ICE comments made by a city employee violated policy, 'not illegal'

Mayor Deegan Addresses Policy Breach: City Employee’s ICE Remarks Deemed Inappropriate but Not Unlawful

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan recently addressed a contentious situation involving a video…
Is Verizon still down? Company says situation resolved after hourslong outage impacted thousands

Verizon Resolves Extensive Outage Affecting Thousands After Several Hours

Verizon announced Wednesday night that it had successfully resolved a widespread service…
Minnesota's restraining order against ICE blocked by judge

Judge Halts Minnesota’s Attempt to Restrict ICE Operations

Minnesota’s Attorney General, Keith Ellison, has taken legal action against the federal…
Appeals court reverses ruling that released pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil from immigration detention

Court Reinstates Detention for Pro-Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil

In a significant development for the Trump administration, an appeals court has…
Off-camera hearings for Charlie Kirk's suspected assassin raise warning from legal expert

Source Reveals: Lance Twiggs, Partner of Alleged Charlie Kirk Assassination Plotter Tyler Robinson, Released from FBI Protection

In a recent development from Provo, Utah, a law enforcement source has…
NASA brings astronauts home early after health issue in first-ever evacuation

NASA Conducts Unprecedented Early Astronaut Return Following Health Concern

In an unprecedented move, NASA conducted its first-ever medical evacuation from space…
Three men arrested after string of vehicle burglaries in Jacksonville Beach

Trio Nabbed in Jacksonville Beach: Unraveling the Recent Wave of Vehicle Break-Ins

Authorities reported that one suspect was apprehended while trying to use a…
Democrat Sen. Fetterman Urges ICE to 'Round Up All' the Criminal Migrants

Senator Fetterman Calls on ICE to Intensify Efforts Against Criminal Migrants

Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) has called on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement…
Subway conductor punched in the face by Queens passenger angry over train route

Queens Passenger Assaults Subway Conductor Over Unexpected Train Route Change

In a disturbing incident early Thursday morning, a conductor working for the…
Angry mob caught on camera hurling profanity, demands federal agents leave Minnesota Mexican restaurant

Caught on Video: Crowd Erupts in Protest Against Federal Agents at Minnesota Mexican Restaurant

In a dramatic scene at a St. Paul, Minnesota, dining establishment, federal…
Florida lawmakers move fast on bills that could pass first week of session

Florida Legislature Races to Pass Key Bills in Opening Week: What You Need to Know

On Wednesday and Thursday, a diverse array of 10 bills, addressing topics…