Well, this would have been taboo back in the 1960s and early '70s. Gayle Jessup White will be in Charlotte to speak at the Mecklenburg Chapter Sons of the American Revolution on Nov. 11. She attended the citys private and public schools and attended Howard University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. Gayle Jessup White, a five-times great-granddaughter of Jefferson and four-times great niece to Hemings, Jefferson's slave, will speak during a dinner sponsored by the Mecklenburg Chapter Sons of the American Revolution at the Hilton Charlotte Executive Park Hotel, 5624 Westpark Drive off I-77. I needed to know that to feel whole. And Richmond has evolved in the past decade or so. She grew up hearing the lore that her family is descended from our countrys third president, Thomas Jefferson. And Sallie Hemmans Whites great-great-grandmother was the daughter of Peter Hemings, an older brother of Sally Hemings. In Reclamation she chronicles her remarkable journey to definitively understand her heritage and reclaim it, and offers a compelling portrait of what it means to be a black woman in America, to pursue the American dream, to reconcile the legacy of racism, and to ensure the nation lives up to the ideals advocated by her legendary ancestor. Hemings, Sally Hemings brother. He was a flawed human being who made some horrible decisions,sinful decisions. Gayle taught journalism at VCU and created training programs for at-risk young adults. though others did not. Two people were injured in a crash involving one of the most iconic vehicles in television history, Missouri officials say. A former award-winning television reporter and anchor, Jessup White started her career at the New York Times. She is also a member of the Council of Historic Richmond, and the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society. She is a direct Jefferson descendant, and is also related to two well-documented families enslaved at Monticellothe Hemingses and the Hubbards. Everyone at the table at the party was discussing their lineage with great pride. Senate Minority Leader Norment, Majority Leader Saslaw, among more than a dozen legislators who will not run again. My dad was 6'2", had red hair and freckles. They were the guests of honor. In her book, Reclamation, Gayle chronicles her journey to find her heritage, and more. It was just enough information out there to keep me aware of the possibility. She left the Times for Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism, earning a Master of Science in Journalism. Its important to look at each other and to work through those differences and see ourselves as Americans and recognize the kinship. We cant become what we want to be, individually and collectively, if we dont know who we are. (l-r) Andrew M. Davenport and Gayle Jessup White. Kirkus Reviews, "19 Books We Can't Wait to Curl Up with This Fall!" NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. CONNECT: Digital Audiobook Unabridged . Her American roots are in Virginia going back to the Jamestown settlement, and in Maryland. In so doing, she 'reclaims' our common humanity and gives new meaning to 'one nation, indivisible.'" Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Gayle Jessup White is the author of the upcoming book, "Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and a Descendant's Search for Her Family's Lasting Legacy.". White's memoir not only proves her ancestral connection to Thomas Jefferson but is a more graphic and sweeping look at how the politics of race and class play out at the highest and the lowest levels of American life." Whites narrative is a metaphor for our nations contradictions and secrets some of her family members chose to pass as white. Next And she starts by explaining how she first learned about this possible connection. It started when she was a young girl growing up in 1970s Washington D.C. At the time Jefferson was my favorite president because he'd written the Declaration, and I believed and still believe in the principles put forth in that document, says Gayle. Gayle Jessup White is the Public Relations & Community Engagement Officer at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's legendary estate. There was a problem saving your notification. They were tough. If you have any questions, please review our privacy Booklist, "Jessup White tells a story that will be meaningful to many readers. So were really happy to be here., Having finished this book, she feels whole, gratified and moved by what she called a remarkable journey., The most amazing part for me has been getting the story told. And so I don't work at reconciling who my white ancestors were and who my Black ancestors were. Those of us who are not black can never fully experience the impact of systemic racism. I'm not, but you are. Gayle Jessup White tells the fascinating story in her new book, "Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and a Descendant's Search for Her Family's Lasting Legacy.". NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Gayle Jessup White about her book, Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and a Descendant's Search for Her Family's Lasting Legacy. They were strong. . They were treated as possessions. What are some unusual animals that have lived in and around the White House? 137 Kindle Edition $1499 Customers Also Bought Items By BISAC1 : BISAC2 : BISAC3 : DESK & EXAM Hardcover Back in 1998, there was a study called The Foster study which proved that the nephews of Jefferson whom the family had claimed had fathered children with Sally Hemings could not have been the father of her children. Along the way, she learned more about her connections to Jefferson and Hemings through research and DNA testing, with an assist from Lucia Cinder Stanton, the groundbreaking Monticello historian who has published several books on the history of slavery there. Accuracy and availability may vary. Deputies in Davidson County rushed to help a 69-year-old man they'd found unresponsive in his house following a welfare check. MARTIN: I want to mention that you are now working at Monticello, which must be a kind of a head-snapping experience. And my sister was a little girl when she first heard this from Aunt Peachie. In the 90s, when Gayle was out of college and building a career in journalism, she got serious about her search. I don't apologize for my - the behavior of my ancestors. JESSUP WHITE: I had some facts before me. [Her feats] required superhuman persistence. BookPage. And that's why I wrote this book. 2023 The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc., A nonprofit 501 (c)(3) Charitable Organization. So the point here is to acknowledge that these families were entangled. The backdrop for the early part of Whites story is Black, middle-class Washington. White discovered she is the great-great-great-granddaughter of Peter Hemings, Sally Hemings brother. Jefferson kept copious notes, so that's how we know that. A woman is diagnosed with cancer and its spreading quickly. If we are going to heal as a country then we have to be honest about our complicated history, and it is very complicated and it's very painful. Find out how she changed paths. Facebook and YouTube pages starting at 5:30 pm ET on January 10. It was a privilege and an honor to speak with you. I found not just the history, but I found my family. On the other hand he gave us those soaring words that I amend to say All humans are created equal that have served as inspiration for hundreds of years now, for people to fight for their freedom and liberty, and justice for all. They were possessions. After a 25-year career in communications, Gayle seized the opportunity to pursue her passion, history, beginning as an educator at Richmonds Valentine Museum, and ultimately landing a position at the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the non-profit organization that owns and operates Monticello, her ancestral home. I didnt have an epiphany. Pastors Rooftop Mission to Save Chicagos Southside, Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and a Descendant's Search for Her Family's Lasting Legacy, Former NBC Exec on Overcoming Overwhelming Tragedy. by Gayle Jessup White On Sale: 11/16/2021 Format: Price: $14.99 DESK & EXAM REQUESTS PURCHASE AT HC.com Book Overview Author Info About the Book A Black descendant of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings' family explores America's racial reckoning through the prism of her ancestorsboth the enslaver and the enslaved. By A Black descendent of Thomas Jefferson and employee at Monticello, author Gayle Jessup White examined the legacies of her ancestors and the current racial debates. Although she lives in Richmond, Virginia, she still considers herself a DC girl. A former award-winning TV reporter and anchor, Gayle began her career in journalism at The New York Times, where she interned in the Washington Bureau. As a young woman in her native Washington gaining an increased awareness of race, being descended from Jefferson became a part of my identity. The trademarks MLS, Multiple Listing Service and the associated logos are owned by CREA and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA. I can't imagine being anyplace else. It ended up being a good fit for us. The conversation focuses on Trumans unexpected ascension to the pr Has the White House ever been renovated or changed? And they were the only Blacks there. Location: The Regina A. You have permission to edit this article. Did any presidents live elsewhere during their administrations? So there was no way that I could have pieces to the puzzle such as I did not and pursue it, not to want to put it together. She is also a member the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society and serves on the Poplar Forest African American Advisory Group. Tickets are $20 | Quick Members: $15. JESSUP WHITE: Oh, thank you so much, Michel. Getting Word has significantly changed the interpretation of African-American life during enslavement under Thomas Jefferson. And so we had the DNA evidence. Because my story is their story, too.. ALBEMARLE Gayle Jessup White spent four decades of her life exploring her connection to Thomas Jefferson, a passion born out of her family's oral history that they were his direct. Used under license. I work at giving attention to those who never had it. It was reported in the Richmond newspaper that Jefferson had relations with an enslaved woman, Dusky Sally, she was called. Shes written and spoken extensively about her work at Monticello. It behooves us all to know that history. How had she heard this? The paradox, of course, is that the Founding Father who lyrically articulated Americas grandest expression of equality enslaved more than 600 human beings on his mountaintop plantation, Monticello. Our Facebook Live series, White House Biographer Jeffrey Frank discusses his new book on Harry Truman. Trade PB. Its an American story.. JESSUP WHITE: Well, I feel that I was actually called to do this work. Sponsor: Monticello TOPIC FREQUENCY A former award-winning television reporter and anchor, Jessup White started her career at the New York Times. It is my heartfelt wish that when people finish this story, they understand better the contribution of our ancestors, our enslaved ancestors and those that followed them their endurance, their strength, their character and their resilience. Leslie Greene Bowman, president of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, lauded White and Reclamation during a Nov. 16 book launch event at Monticello. John Marshall boys basketball reclaims No. policy. She says, I recognize Jefferson now as being a human being. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. . When I'm in that space where I feel the presence of my ancestors. submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email Fairfield Universitys Open VISIONS Forum (OVF) will host a compelling and timely discussion on racism, politics, power, and slavery at the Quick Center on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 8 p.m. REQUESTS, https://d2wawpwx3aybf6.cloudfront.net/hc-audio/9780063028685.mp3, privacy Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and a Descendant's Search for Her Family's Lasting Legacy, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. there. Get to know others seeking Gods guidance and wisdom for life. From First Lady Dolley Madison's sister Lucy Payne Washington's wedding in 1812 to the nuptials of President Joseph Biden and First A State Dinner honoring a visiting head of government or reigning monarch is one of the grandest and most glamorous On January 20, 1969, Richard Nixon was inaugurated as the thirty-seventh president of the United States. Owning people is sinful. Then in 2010, while with her son on one of many visits to Monticello, Gayle says, We go on the tour and the guide says, Well, Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson had children together. And I raised my hand as I always did, We're descended from Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson. And the guide says, Well, you're dignitaries, you're family. She has traced her ancestry to Jefferson and two families that were enslaved at his estate, Monticello. White, Monticellos first public relations and If anything, Reclamation demonstrates how illusory and yes, paradoxical American identity can be. Details. Every family has its secrets and family lore, and often the inheritors of those stories can't separate fact from fiction. All rights reserved. Her very personal chronicle of a decades-long search for her family's connection to Jefferson and Monticello began with a thread of a story from an elderly relative who . She writes about it in a new book titled "Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, And A Descendant's Search For Her Family's Lasting Legacy." Gayle would spend years following clues, tracing her family tree, and scouring historical records. Gayle says, Im proud of my relatives who were enslaved because they were up against so much. Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. Gayle Jessup White talks with Karen about her book, "Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and a Descendant's Search for Her Family's Lasting Legacy.. It is my right and the right of every descendant of enslaved people to claim their stake in America.. It also traces back to Sally Hemings, Jefferson's slave who . She says, For many years I assumed I was descended from Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. CBN's ministry is made possible by the support of our CBN Partners. NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Gayle Jessup White about her book, Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and a Descendant's Search for Her Family's Lasting Legacy. Fairfield, Connecticut 06824 I'm very comfortable with who I am and take complete ownership of my place in society and as a descendant of enslaved people. Little pieces were coming together, but not enough for me to understand how we could have been descended. Bakari Sellers, New York Times best-selling author ofMy Vanishing Country, In her quest to discover the truth behind her family's oral legend of its connection to Thomas Jefferson, Gayle Jessup White reveals the truth of our national history: that 'white' and 'black' are inextricably bound by blood and heritage. Two years later, she joined the staff as Community Engagement Officer, becoming a principal spokesperson and the first descendant of Jefferson and the families he enslaved to work for the Foundation. it was that one link. ADRIAN FLORIDO,. Top Stories, 1073 North Benson Road She was thirteen when her sister shared a bit of family lore regarding the main author of the Declaration of Independencethey were related. He is currently a research assistant with the Georgetown Slavery Archive. Susan Fales-Hill, television producer and author ofAlways Wear Joy, Reclamationinstantly reverberates with those of us who are desperate to rebuild our family trees, especially for Americans who lived during the colonial era. Our A combination memoir, genealogy, and history by Gayle Jessup White reads fast as fiction unless you take time to absorb the impact slavery and family secrets have on American families, black or white. To a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST some. Relations with an enslaved woman, Dusky Sally, she got serious her!, among more than a dozen legislators who will not run again red. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record be a kind of head-snapping! 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