Virginia African American Forum
African Imprint Day 2 at Jamestown Settlement
When: June 7, 2008
Where: Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia
Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Join us June 7, 2008 for the second annual family-fun day highlighting the African American Imprint on America. African Imprint Day is an opportunity to bring family and friends out to explore the culture, history, music and strong legacies of the first Africans brought to America in 1619. Enjoy good food, cultural and craft exhibits, and music. Children and family activities will be on the mall.
Its a cultural family fun day as you enjoy the mall and then visit Jamestown Settlement to learn more about the first Africans in 17th-century Virginia. Guided gallery tours and a special family gallery guide highlight the culture of the first known Africans in Virginia, from the kingdom of Ndongo in Angola, and the experience of Africans in 17th-century Virginia. A dramatic gallery multimedia presentation, "From Africa to Virginia," chronicles African encounters with Europeans, the impact on African culture and development of the transatlantic slave trade. Tours of the outdoor Riverfront Discovery Area will focus on technology used by Africans in Angola and the skills in boatbuilding, fishing and metalworking they brought to 17th-century Virginia.
In partnership with the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, the Virginia African American Forum brings this wonderful day to you. For food and craft vendor information please email AfricanImprintDay2@jamestown2007.org or click here for an application.
Virginia African American Forum
The Virginia African American Forum is a grassroots organization of diverse membership that was formed in 2002 to help plan events for America's 400th Anniversary.
In the past six years the Forum has planned events and volunteered its services during educational and cultural programs and signature events planned for the anniversary. These events helped showcase the significant impact and achievements of Africans and African Americans on modern American society.
The Virginia African American Forum successfully:
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17th-century gold Akan necklace | Provided funds toward the purchase of an African artifact - a traditional gold 17th-century Akan choker-style necklace, purchased by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, on behalf of the Virginia African American Forum. The artifact is now located in the special exhibition "The World of 1607" and will eventually be placed in the African Object Theater section of the permanent galleries. The gold necklace was funded in part by the $20,000 raised in honor of America’s 400th Anniversary.
Provided each of Virginia’s six Historically Black Colleges and Universities with a $1,000 scholarship for students studying history or museum studies
As a Jamestown 2007 partner sponsored two of America’s 400th Anniversary events - Preview Gala and African Imprint Day.
Virginia African American Forum
Executive Committee
Liz Montgomery
President
Bruce Williams
Vice President
Celesta Arrington
Treasurer
Sue Diedzic
Secretary
Jamestown 2007 Liaison
Gloria Jackson-Warren
 
FINANCIAL GIFT ALLOWS PURCHASE OF MUSEUM
ARTIFACT IN TIME FOR AMERICA'S 400TH ANNIVERSARY
Virginia African American Forum Mission Statement
The mission of the Virginia African American Forum (VAAF) is to involve African American communities, churches, businesses, organizations, and citizens across the Commonwealth in planning for Virginia’s 400th anniversary and honoring the founding of Jamestown in 1607. This goal will be achieved through education, information sharing, and encouraging participation in this historic event. We will work to ensure minority-based partnerships that help to stimulate awareness and complete involvement at all levels of this commemoration and beyond. We will actively plan and assist in identifying sponsors for major events, programs, and projects to educate the public and create an international awareness of African-American influence and achievements to colonial and modern day American society.
Preview Gala October 14, 2006
More than 250 people attended an exclusive preview showcasing African elements of the new expanded galleries at Jamestown Settlement, hosted by The Virginia African American Forum (VAAF), a Virginia-based grassroots organization.
Reception highlights included Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander as the keynote speaker, music by Jae Sinnett's Jazz Trio and period music by the Colonial Williamsburg Performers. Distinguished guests included representatives from the Angolan embassy, Liberia, and England as well as U.S. Representative Robert C. "Bobby" Scott and Virginia Secretary of Administration Viola Baskerville. Proceeds from the gala will help purchase African artifacts for the Museum's collection and scholarships for students in African-American or museum studies.
African Imprint Day at Jamestown Settlement
Event: African Imprint Day at Jamestown Settlement
When: June 2, 2007
Where: Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia
Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
In partnership with Jamestown 2007 and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, the Virginia African American Forum held a family-fun day highlighting the African American Imprint on America. African Imprint Day was an opportunity to bring family and friends to Jamestown Settlement, to explore the new galleries and the three original cultures, Virginia Indian, European and Africans who first coverged there in the 17th century.
Highlights of the event included a presentation of $1,000 scholarship checks to each of Virginia's Historically Black Colleges and Universities, a workshop on African American genealogy, children art activities, dance by Suwabi African Ballet and music by the Virginia Mass Choir, Gator Allmond and the Spice of Life Band, Bit and Pieces Band and the Legacy of Weyanoke. Later in the evening Dr. Joseph C. Miller, University of Virginia history professor and African Studies Association president, presented a lecture entitled “Journeys Through Time: African and African American Lives in Virginia.
Virginia African American Forum
P.O. Box 5642
Williamsburg, Virginia 23185
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