Freedom's Footprint: How One City and its HBCU Had a Role in Shaping the African American Story

Project 1619, Inc. President Melinda Steele calls Hampton the place where ancestral memory meets modern activism

HAMPTON, Va., Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On the shores of Hampton, Virginia, where the waters of the Chesapeake Bay kiss the Atlantic, history speaks in waves. It was here, in August of 1619, that the first enslaved Africans in English North America arrived on these shores, an event that would forever alter the trajectory of American history. More than four centuries later, from August 22-24, the city of Hampton — and Hampton University — will once again stand in the national spotlight during the annual African Landing Day Commemoration.

The commemoration is not just about remembering tragedy; it's about honoring survival, resilience, and cultural brilliance. That message is one that Melinda Steele, Assistant Director of Young Alumni at Hampton University and newly appointed President of Project 1619, Inc. is determined to amplify.

"Hampton isn't just where African American history in English North America began — it's where the fight for freedom has been written into the soil," Steele says. "From the first landing to the Emancipation Oak, our story is one of courage."

That story will be told in vivid ways this year. Actor and activist Djimon Hounsou will bring star power and a deeply personal connection to the history. His visit to The Emancipation Oak — where the first Southern reading of the Emancipation Proclamation took place — will be a symbolic bridge between past and present, between ancestral memory and modern activism.

"Hampton University has been a guardian of that bridge for over 150 years," says University President Darrell K. Williams. "Our museum, the Emancipation Oak, our history, our students — they all carry the legacy forward."

The Hampton University Museum will play a central role in the commemoration as an additional stop on Hounsou's tour of the city. Founded in 1868, the museum holds treasures from across Africa and the African Diaspora, making it a cultural touchstone for visitors year-round.

"As people come to the city for African Landing Day, I hope they also walk through the museum and feel the depth of our shared journey," says Dr. Vanessa Thaxton-Ward. "Every artifact tells a story of struggle, brilliance, and hope."

The weekend will culminate in the International Bell Ringing Ceremony, where bells will ring simultaneously across multiple states and countries — from Ghana to Germany — in remembrance of those first Africans and in celebration of the generations that followed.

In Hampton, history is not a static chapter; it's a living story. And every August, the city ensures that the world is invited to read it.

Schedule of Events:

Saturday, August 23
Loocation: Fort Monroe
9 a.m. - The William Tucker 1624 Society's Annual African Landing Event
10 a.m. - Opening Program
11:15 a.m. – Special Guest speaker Djimon Hounsou speech
12 p.m. - Bell Ringing ceremony

Sunday, August 24
Location: Fort Monroe
6 a.m. - Ancestral Cleansing & Spiritual Grounding Ceremony
1:30 p.m. - Hampton Historical Landmark Bus Tour

For a full calendar of events, visit https://visithampton.com/enslaved-african-landing-commemoration/

Hampton University: A National Leader in Research, Innovation, and Opportunity

Hampton University is a prestigious Carnegie R2-designated research institution, nationally acclaimed for its pioneering work in atmospheric science, cancer treatment, and cybersecurity. With an annual economic impact of $530 million across the region and the Commonwealth of Virginia, Hampton stands as a powerful engine of innovation, workforce development, and inclusive economic growth.

Consistently recognized for academic excellence and transformative outcomes, Hampton was recently named one of the "Best Colleges in America" by Money Magazine and honored as the "Best Private College" by Coastal Virginia Magazine.

Founded in 1868, Hampton University is a proud, close-knit community of scholars, representing 44 states and 32 territories. With a legacy rooted in empowerment and education, the university is committed to nurturing intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and global citizenship—preparing students to lead with purpose and integrity in an ever-changing world. Learn more at: www.hamptonu.edu

SOURCE Hampton University