In a unique collaboration, three Black poets and a white poet from the D.C. area will share their moving poetry about the troubled history of the Woodlawn plantation in Alexandria, Va. Once owned by George Washington, he gave the 2,000-acre property to his step-granddaughter where more than 90 enslaved people were forced to work. The property was sold in 1846 to a group of Quakers who opposed slavery. Woodlawn is now managed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The featured poets include Diane Wilbon Parks, Patrick Washington, Sylvia Dianne “Ladi Di” Beverly and Hiram Larew, who will be accompanied by harmonica player Cliff Bernier. Don’t miss this timely poetry reading that explores how Black history connects the past to the present.

You can watch the reading on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/92493546170

Image: Detail of “Royalty” by Diane Wilbon Parks