Several of the events of the pilgrimage require Registration and the purchase of a Ticket. For those events, you'll find a "Register Now" button.
Other events do not require registration and are free to the public.
If you need a scholarship to participate in any of these events, please Contact Us.
If you would like to contribute to a scholarship fund, please go to our Donate Page.
Other events do not require registration and are free to the public.
If you need a scholarship to participate in any of these events, please Contact Us.
If you would like to contribute to a scholarship fund, please go to our Donate Page.
Pilgrimage Events
Thursday, October 11
"The Heresy of Christian Empire and the Trauma of the Doctrine of Discovery"
6:30 to 9:00 pm - Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church, 105 Lankford Ave.
Free. No registration needed.
Mark Charles, a Navajo Christian who is a Washington DC correspondent and regular columnist for Native News Online, will give a presentation that traces the history of Christianity and the United States that contributed to the oppression of native peoples and the enslavement of Africans in North America.
6:30 pm Presentation by Mark Charles
8:00 pm Q&A
9:00 pm End of official event.
(Mark Charles is willing to stay an hour longer for those wanting to engage further in conversation.
10:00 pm - Close up building.
"The Heresy of Christian Empire and the Trauma of the Doctrine of Discovery"
6:30 to 9:00 pm - Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church, 105 Lankford Ave.
Free. No registration needed.
Mark Charles, a Navajo Christian who is a Washington DC correspondent and regular columnist for Native News Online, will give a presentation that traces the history of Christianity and the United States that contributed to the oppression of native peoples and the enslavement of Africans in North America.
6:30 pm Presentation by Mark Charles
8:00 pm Q&A
9:00 pm End of official event.
(Mark Charles is willing to stay an hour longer for those wanting to engage further in conversation.
10:00 pm - Close up building.
Friday, October 12
Pilgrimage to Richmond Trail of the Enslaved
8:15 a – Gather at Broadus Memorial Baptist Church parking lot, 1525 Stoney Point Road.
8:30 a - Carpool/caravan to Richmond (1.5 hours)
10:00 a – We’ll continue our journey with Elegba Folklore Society in Richmond. Become a part of the story, In the Beginning… Virginia, Along the Trail of Enslaved Africans, that lives between the pages of history books — in red, white and black. Ponder the impact of enslavement on the enslaved as shared in their own words and from their own view. Walk in their footsteps from their arrival point at river’s edge into Shockoe Bottom, the area of Richmond that housed the holding pens, jails, blocks and burial ground. [Wear comfortable shoes and clothes as some walking is required]
12:30 p – Lunch will be provided provided to registered pilgrims.
If you have dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, etc.), please fill out this form.
1:00 p - Group reflection and discussion at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 815 E Grace St, Richmond, VA.
3:00 p – Caravan back to Charlottesville
~ 4:30 p – Arrive at Charlottesville at Broadus Memorial Baptist Church
Cost of registration: $20 per person.
Sold out! Please contact us if you wish to be placed on a waiting list.
For participants living outside of Charlottesville, you can meet us in Richmond. Please register below and fill out this form. We will email back with instructions regarding where and when to join us in Richmond.
Pilgrimage to Richmond Trail of the Enslaved
8:15 a – Gather at Broadus Memorial Baptist Church parking lot, 1525 Stoney Point Road.
8:30 a - Carpool/caravan to Richmond (1.5 hours)
10:00 a – We’ll continue our journey with Elegba Folklore Society in Richmond. Become a part of the story, In the Beginning… Virginia, Along the Trail of Enslaved Africans, that lives between the pages of history books — in red, white and black. Ponder the impact of enslavement on the enslaved as shared in their own words and from their own view. Walk in their footsteps from their arrival point at river’s edge into Shockoe Bottom, the area of Richmond that housed the holding pens, jails, blocks and burial ground. [Wear comfortable shoes and clothes as some walking is required]
12:30 p – Lunch will be provided provided to registered pilgrims.
If you have dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, etc.), please fill out this form.
1:00 p - Group reflection and discussion at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 815 E Grace St, Richmond, VA.
3:00 p – Caravan back to Charlottesville
~ 4:30 p – Arrive at Charlottesville at Broadus Memorial Baptist Church
Cost of registration: $20 per person.
Sold out! Please contact us if you wish to be placed on a waiting list.
For participants living outside of Charlottesville, you can meet us in Richmond. Please register below and fill out this form. We will email back with instructions regarding where and when to join us in Richmond.
Saturday, October 13
Pilgrimage to Jamestown and Ft. Monroe
6:45 a or 7:45 a - Gather at Mt. Zion First African Baptist's parking lot, 105 Lankford Ave.
7:00 a – Bus departs from Mt. Zion First African Baptist for Jamestown. For those wishing to take a ~3 mile walk on the Virginia Capital Trail, they will be dropped off at the 2 mile marker on the Virginia Capital Trail near Jamestown High School. (Those who do not wish to walk will be dropped off at Jamestown to wait for the walkers.)
Historic Jamestowne National Park –
11:00 to 12:30 p – Special group tour “First Africans” at Historic Jamestowne Island National Park
($14 entrance fee to Historic Jamestowne National Park must be purchased separately).
We will follow the tour with reflection and discussion.
12:15 p - Box lunch provided to registered pilgrims.
If you have dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, etc.), please fill out this form.
Fort Monroe –
12:30 p – Ride bus to Ft. Monroe (1 hour)
1:30 p – Arrive at Ft. Monroe, where Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander will present an accurate history of the site of the landing of the first ship carrying enslaved people from Africa. Beach-side service/ritual repeating names of enslaved at Monticello; time for self-reflection; song “Go Down Moses” with Apostle Sarah Kelley, which was sung during Civil War by enslaved who escaped to the Union Fort Monroe.
3:30 p – Bus to return to Charlottesville
~ 6:00 p – Arrive back in Charlottesville at Mt. Zion First African Baptist [end of pilgrimage]
Cost of registration: $25 per person for those needing transportation from Charlottesville to Jamestown/Ft. Monroe.
$15 per person for those joining us at Jamestown.
Registration Closed! Please contact us if you have any questions.
For participants living outside of Charlottesville, you can meet us in Jamestown. Please register below and fill out this form. We will email back with instructions regarding where and when to join us in Jamestown.
Pilgrimage to Jamestown and Ft. Monroe
6:45 a or 7:45 a - Gather at Mt. Zion First African Baptist's parking lot, 105 Lankford Ave.
7:00 a – Bus departs from Mt. Zion First African Baptist for Jamestown. For those wishing to take a ~3 mile walk on the Virginia Capital Trail, they will be dropped off at the 2 mile marker on the Virginia Capital Trail near Jamestown High School. (Those who do not wish to walk will be dropped off at Jamestown to wait for the walkers.)
Historic Jamestowne National Park –
11:00 to 12:30 p – Special group tour “First Africans” at Historic Jamestowne Island National Park
($14 entrance fee to Historic Jamestowne National Park must be purchased separately).
We will follow the tour with reflection and discussion.
12:15 p - Box lunch provided to registered pilgrims.
If you have dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, etc.), please fill out this form.
Fort Monroe –
12:30 p – Ride bus to Ft. Monroe (1 hour)
1:30 p – Arrive at Ft. Monroe, where Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander will present an accurate history of the site of the landing of the first ship carrying enslaved people from Africa. Beach-side service/ritual repeating names of enslaved at Monticello; time for self-reflection; song “Go Down Moses” with Apostle Sarah Kelley, which was sung during Civil War by enslaved who escaped to the Union Fort Monroe.
3:30 p – Bus to return to Charlottesville
~ 6:00 p – Arrive back in Charlottesville at Mt. Zion First African Baptist [end of pilgrimage]
Cost of registration: $25 per person for those needing transportation from Charlottesville to Jamestown/Ft. Monroe.
$15 per person for those joining us at Jamestown.
Registration Closed! Please contact us if you have any questions.
For participants living outside of Charlottesville, you can meet us in Jamestown. Please register below and fill out this form. We will email back with instructions regarding where and when to join us in Jamestown.