News Release, Historic Sotterley

Three years ago, Historic Sotterley began its Common Ground Initiative.The mission of this initiative is to bring descendants, community andpartners together to provide education, resources, remembrance, andcelebrate cultures to aid in healing; to help uncover and eradicate racism and discrimination in all forms; to promote social equality and justice through interpretation of authentic history and its relevance to effect social change, while encouraging individual and group activism.

Over the first two years, our local and regional community gatheredtogether for in-person Common Ground programs and events which were inspirational in many ways.When the pandemic hit, in-person events were no longer possible, but Sotterley knew the conversations mustcontinue.Now, Sotterley will proudly continue its Common Groundprogramming, with most of its events moving to a virtual platform.

Mark your calendar for the following events:

·Transcending Generations through Storytelling

Featuring Wanda Etheridge, Author and Administrator

August 21st, 1:00—2:30 pm (Virtual)

·Transcending Narrative : The Art of Healing

Featuring Merideth Taylor, Professor Emeritus at St. Mary’sCollege of Maryland

August 22nd, 1:00—2:30 pm(Virtual)

·UNESCO Day of Remembrance

August 23rd at 1:00 (Facebook Live Event, however, in-personparticipation is allowed.See Website for details.)

·Enslaved Ancestral Research

Featuring Kenyatta Berry, Genealogist

September 18th– 1:00to 2:30 pm(Virtual)

·Leveraging DNA in your Research

Featuring Kenyatta Berry, Genealogist

September 19th– 1:00 to 2:30 pm (Virtual)

While Common Ground events will be held free to the general public,on-line registration for virtual events will be required to participate.Event details will be posted separately and on www.sotterley.org.

Historic Sotterley

Historic Sotterley, a National Historic Landmark, is one of the oldest museums of its kind in the United States, with a history dating back to the turn of the 18th century.