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
7 things to do in NYC this weekend: Nov. 28–30

Unmissable NYC Weekend Adventures: Top 7 Must-Do Activities for Nov. 28-30

This weekend promises a vibrant lineup of events, with LaChanze’s rendition of…
Waters: The Media Don't 'Resist' Trump

Maxine Waters Criticizes Media for Lack of Opposition to Trump

During a segment on CNN’s “The Story Is” aired on Wednesday, Rep.…
Chicago crime: Police warn of thieves stealing tools from work vans in North Center, Ravenswood, Wrigleyville, Lakeview, Uptown

Chicago Authorities Alert: Surge in Tool Thefts from Work Vans Reported in North Center, Ravenswood, Wrigleyville, Lakeview, and Uptown

A wave of thefts targeting work vans has prompted the Chicago Police…
Nigerian children as young as 5 among hundreds kidnapped, nun says

Tragic Rise in Kidnappings: Nigerian Children, Some Just 5, Among Victims

A significant number of children abducted from a Catholic school in Nigeria…
Black Friday theft threat turns holiday weekend into shoplifters' 'Super Bowl': former detective

Black Friday Heists: Why Shoplifters Treat This Weekend as Their ‘Super Bowl

Black Friday, once synonymous with holiday shopping excitement, has now become a…
Angel Families thank Trump in new Thanksgiving video for his border security efforts: 'We appreciate you'

Angel Families Praise Trump’s Border Security Achievements in Heartfelt Thanksgiving Tribute

The American Border Story (TABS) has launched a compelling new video, showcasing…
National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom dead after DC shooting: 'Highly respected'

Tragic Loss: Respected National Guard Member Sarah Beckstrom Dies in DC Shooting

Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old member of the National Guard from West Virginia,…
Emmy-winning 'The Simpsons' writer Dan McGrath dies at 61

TikTok Chef Tini Younger Shares Heartbreaking Loss of One Twin Baby: A Mother’s Emotional Journey

“This is not the post I imagined sharing after the twins arrived,”…
Zelenskyy urges direct talks with Putin as Trump sets peace deadline

Ukraine Peace Efforts Gain Traction Amid Concerns Over Putin’s Stance

The United States has unveiled a revamped peace initiative aimed at resolving…
Ex-FBI special agent explains Afghan vetting failures in wake of National Guard ambush: ‘Ticking time bomb’

Former FBI Special Agent Analyzes Afghan Vetting Shortcomings Following National Guard Ambush: A ‘Ticking Time Bomb

The recent attack on two National Guard members close to the White…
Scientists capture the crackling sounds of what they believe is lightning on Mars

Researchers Record Potential Lightning Sounds on Mars

At Cape Canaveral, Florida, researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery by detecting…
Macy’s parade dazzles New Yorkers despite cold, windy conditions

Chilly Winds Can’t Dim the Spectacle of Macy’s Parade for New Yorkers

Braving the chill and challenging winds, the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade…