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
California Christian college student founds pro-life club after school rejects Students for Life chapter

California College Student Champions Pro-Life Movement with New Club After School Denies Students for Life Chapter

A determined pro-life advocate at a Christian college in California has successfully…
Empty the Shelters: Local pet shelters drop adoption prices for 15-day holiday event

Pet Adoption Fees Reduced for 15-Day “Empty the Shelters” Event at Local Shelters

The Jacksonville Humane Society, Nassau Humane Society, and Clay County Animal Services…
Dozens of tenants in South Shore, Chicago building Customs and Border Protection raided being evicted: 'We don't deserve this'

South Shore Residents Face Eviction After Controversial CBP Raid: Community Demands Justice

CHICAGO (WLS) — Residents of a Chicago apartment building, which gained notoriety…
Larry Summers hit with lifetime ban by high-profile economics club over Epstein ties

Economics Club Issues Lifetime Ban to Larry Summers Amid Epstein Controversy

A prominent academic organization in the United States has permanently expelled former…
Repeat offender accused of kidnapping, rape after online pickup months after avoiding prison time

Repeat Offender Faces New Charges of Kidnapping and Rape Following Online Encounter, Months After Skirting Prison Sentence

A Minnesota man with a history of sex crime convictions is facing…
Harvey, IL news: More city layoffs expected as Harvey Fire Department operates with less than half of its staff

Harvey, IL Faces Major Layoffs: Fire Department Struggles with Critical Staffing Shortage

HARVEY, Ill. (WLS) — Just a couple of months back, Harvey boasted…
What should you do? | Crime and safety expert shares advice after road rage ends in shooting

Essential Safety Tips: Expert Guidance to Protect Yourself in Road Rage Situations

In the wake of a disturbing road rage incident on Monday that…
White House Refuses to Apologize for Using Sabrina Carpenter Song

White House Stands Firm: No Apology for Sabrina Carpenter Song Controversy

The White House has stood its ground, declining to issue an apology…
Student found with guns, body armor, diagram of University of Delaware police department, authorities say

University of Delaware Student Arrested: Guns, Body Armor, and Police Department Map Discovered

In Wilmington, Delaware, a concerning incident has unfolded as a University of…
Texas Tech restricts teaching of race and gender, faculty could be disciplined for violating rule

Texas Tech Implements New Guidelines on Teaching Race and Gender, Faculty Face Potential Disciplinary Actions for Non-Compliance

In a significant move, Texas Tech University System’s Chancellor, Brandon Creighton, has…
Shredded cheese sold in 31 states recalled over metal fragment contamination

Urgent Recall Alert: Shredded Cheese in 31 States Contaminated with Metal Fragments

Shoppers at major retailers such as Aldi, Target, and Walmart may want…
Cruise ship death: Cheerleader’s stepmom could be forced to testify against her own son

Father of Teen Who Passed Away on Carnival Cruise Avoids Subpoena in Ongoing Custody Battle

The father of a Florida teenager who tragically passed away on a…