Freedom Forum at Connecticut's Old State House

Our Voice, Our Power
Black Narratives from Black Descendants

On February 16th, in honor of Black History Month, Discovering Amistad, Connecticut’s Old State House, and the Connecticut Freedom Trail came together to organize Our Voice, Our Power: Black Narratives from Black Descendants.  Our panel of Jeffrey Fletcher, Constance Royster, and John Mills led by moderator Tammy Denease, presented a fascinating program and conversation with each other and over 60 attendees, in-person and online. This powerful conversation on the importance of Black experts telling the history and stories of Black history was highlighted by panelists and attendees speaking about their descendant’s impact on themselves and the world around them.

From Judge Constance Bake Motley breaking barriers in the court and political worlds, to the astounding collection of Ruby and Calvin Fletcher that highlights pivotal moments in Black History, and the genealogy work of John Mills and his Alex Breanne corporation, this program brought together these powerful stories and the work being done in the present to showcase how Black history from Black voices creates Black power.

Panelists included:     
Jeffrey Fletcher – Descendant of Ruby and Calvin Fletcher
Constance Royster – Descendant of the Judge Constance Baker Motley
John Mills – Trained Genealogist and Independent Scholar

With moderator Tammy Denease, Outreach Director for the Connecticut Freedom Trail.