![LaQuita Marie Staten (center) of the music and dance group...]()
Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press
LaQuita Marie Staten (center) of the music and dance group Atumpan performs Friday August 23, 2019 at the Tucker Cemetery in Hampton to honor the ancestors of William Tucker. Tucker was the first child born to Africans brought to English North America in 1619.
![Carol Tucker looks around her family cemetery as they work...]()
Aileen Devlin / Daily Press
Carol Tucker looks around her family cemetery as they work to clean the grounds in Hampton on Saturday, April 9, 2016.
![Brenda Doretha Tucker performs spirituals during a ceremony to remember...]()
Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press
Brenda Doretha Tucker performs spirituals during a ceremony to remember the ancestors of William Tucker the first child born to Africans in English North America Friday August 23, 2019 at the Tucker Cemetery in Hampton. The event kicks off the 1619-2019 Commemoration of the first Africans arriving in English North America at Point Comfort on Fort Monroe with events going on all weekend.
![The group Nigerians in Tidewater perform in traditional masquerade during...]()
Steve Earley / The Virginian-Pilot
The group Nigerians in Tidewater perform in traditional masquerade during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe in Hampton on Saturday, August 24, 2019.
![Professor Marian Clifton speaks to the crowd during Healing Day,...]()
John Sudbrink/Freelance
Professor Marian Clifton speaks to the crowd during Healing Day, the third day of ceremonies at Fort Monroe for First African Landing Day on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia.
![Former Governor of Virginia, Douglas Wilder, covers his face his...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
Former Governor of Virginia, Douglas Wilder, covers his face his his hand as he sits on a panel at Hampton Roads Convention Center honoring pioneering African American legislators and mayors on Friday, August 23, 2019.
![Deborah England dances on stage with Atumpan Edutainment dancers during...]()
Steve Earley / The Virginian-Pilot
Deborah England dances on stage with Atumpan Edutainment dancers during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe in Hampton on Saturday, August 24, 2019.
![Visiting from Lithonia, GA Kene Lively, 11, attempts to pull...]()
Aileen Devlin / Daily Press
Visiting from Lithonia, GA Kene Lively, 11, attempts to pull a piece of metal debris from the ground at his family's Tucker Cemetery in Hampton on Saturday, April 9, 2016.
![Edward McCoy (left), stands alongside Terry E. Brown, Superintendent of...]()
John Sudbrink/Freelance
Edward McCoy (left), stands alongside Terry E. Brown, Superintendent of Fort Monroe, as McCoy rings the McCoy Family Bell on Sunday, August 25, 2019 during Healing Day, the third day of First African Landing Day ceremonies in Hampton, Va. The Bell sounded four times for each one-hundred years since the first African landing in the year 1619.
![Chief John Njang, left, and Chief Nji Moussa Njikam, right,...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Chief John Njang, left, and Chief Nji Moussa Njikam, right, of the Bamoun Kingdom in the United States stand in silence during a sunrise service at Buckroe Beach Saturday morning August 24, 2019. The event included a spiritual cleansing and African Naming ceremony presented by African Queen Mothers.
![Rabia Brown marches as the parade of flags moves along...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Rabia Brown marches as the parade of flags moves along Fenwick Road during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe Saturday August 24, 2019.
![Members of the U.S. Military hold up flags as the...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
Members of the U.S. Military hold up flags as the National Anthem is sung before the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe on Saturday.
![Members of the Tucker family and community friends work to...]()
Aileen Devlin / Daily Press
Members of the Tucker family and community friends work to clean up overgrown plant life and trash inside the Tucker Cemetery in Hampton on Saturday, April 9, 2016.
![Members of the KanKouran West African Dance Company perform during...]()
Steve Earley / The Virginian-Pilot
Members of the KanKouran West African Dance Company perform during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe in Hampton on Saturday, August 24, 2019.
![Nana Malaya and Randolph Scott throw flower pedals into the...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
Nana Malaya and Randolph Scott throw flower pedals into the water to remember the lives that were lost during the Middle Passage at the First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe on August, 24, 2019.
![Rebertha Pope-Matthews and Venita Benitez take a selfie together at...]()
John Sudbrink / Daily Press
Rebertha Pope-Matthews and Venita Benitez take a selfie together at First African Landing Day commemorative ceremonies on Sunday, August 25, 2019 in Hampton, Va.
![Members of the Tucker family unload a truck full of...]()
Aileen Devlin / Daily Press
Members of the Tucker family unload a truck full of supplies in efforts to clean out the Tucker Cemetery in Hampton on Saturday, April 9, 2016.
![From left, Chief Asam Asam Eyong, Chief Obenny Tiku, Chief...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
From left, Chief Asam Asam Eyong, Chief Obenny Tiku, Chief John Njang and Chief Nji Moussa Njikam stand on the shore of Buckroe Beach during a sunrise service Saturday morning August 24, 2019. The event included a spiritual cleansing and African Naming ceremony presented by African Queen Mothers.
![Chief Obenny Tiku, center, and other chiefs participate in a...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Chief Obenny Tiku, center, and other chiefs participate in a sunrise service at Buckroe Beach Saturday morning August 24, 2019. The event included a spiritual cleansing and African Naming ceremony presented by African Queen Mothers.
![African Queen Mothers walk to the water at Buckroe Beach...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
African Queen Mothers walk to the water at Buckroe Beach during a sunrise service Saturday morning August 24, 2019. The event included a spiritual cleansing and African Naming ceremony presented by African Queen Mothers.
![Shalana Williams waits for the start of a sunrise service...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Shalana Williams waits for the start of a sunrise service at Buckroe Beach Saturday morning August 24, 2019. The event included a spiritual cleansing and African Naming ceremony presented by African Queen Mothers.
![Members of the Hampton Sheriff's Office Inmate Workforce team tend...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Members of the Hampton Sheriff's Office Inmate Workforce team tend to the grounds of Tucker Family Cemetery Wednesday morning on March 30, 2016. Members of the William Tucker 1624 Society are planning a clean-up effort for Saturday, April 2, 2016.
![Vincent Tucker, president of the William Tucker 1624 Society, speaks...]()
Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press
Vincent Tucker, president of the William Tucker 1624 Society, speaks during a ceremony to honor the descendants of William Tucker the first child born to African parents in English North America Friday August 23, 2019 at the historic Tucker Cemetery in Hampton.
![Reenactor Ayo Handy-Kendi carries a chain as represents the slave...]()
Steve Earley / The Virginian-Pilot
Reenactor Ayo Handy-Kendi carries a chain as represents the slave Angela during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe in Hampton on Saturday, August 24, 2019. Angela was a slave who arrived on a ship at Old Point Comfort and was taken to Jamestown.
![Members of the Hampton Sheriff's Office Inmate Workforce team tend...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Members of the Hampton Sheriff's Office Inmate Workforce team tend to the grounds of Tucker Family Cemetery Wednesday morning on March 30, 2016. Members of the William Tucker 1624 Society are planning a clean-up effort for Saturday, April 2, 2016.
![Vincent Tucker, president of the William Tucker 1624 Society, joins...]()
Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press
Vincent Tucker, president of the William Tucker 1624 Society, joins Verrandall Tucker on the drums as they remember their ancestors buried in the Tucker Cemetery in Hampton Friday August 23, 2019. The event kicks off the 1619-2019 Commemoration of the first Africans arriving in English North America at Point Comfort on Fort Monroe.
![Beverly Burke holds up a proclamation given to her by...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
Beverly Burke holds up a proclamation given to her by the city of Hampton to commemorate her for being the moderator for the African American Pioneer Panel held at Hampton Roads Convention Center on Friday, August 23, 2019.
![Nana Malaya dances as the parade of flags moves along...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Nana Malaya dances as the parade of flags moves along Fenwick Road during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe Saturday August 24, 2019.
![Members of the KanKouran West African Dance Company perform during...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Members of the KanKouran West African Dance Company perform during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe Saturday August 24, 2019.
![Will Harper is part of the William Tucker 1624 Society...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Will Harper is part of the William Tucker 1624 Society and is planning a clean-up effort on Sunday, April 2, 2016 for the once abandoned Tucker Family Cemetery in Hampton.
![Chief Nji Moussa Njikam of the Bamoun Kingdom in the...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Chief Nji Moussa Njikam of the Bamoun Kingdom in the United States walks on the shore of Buckroe Beach before the start of a sunrise service Saturday morning August 24, 2019. The event included a spiritual cleansing and African Naming ceremony presented by African Queen Mothers.
![Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam joins hands alongside his wife Pamela...]()
John Sudbrink / Daily Press
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam joins hands alongside his wife Pamela Northam, Professor Marian Clifton and City of Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck during the bell ringing ceremony on Sunday, August 25, 2019 for The First African Landing Day commemorative ceremonies held Sunday at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia.
![El Hadji Faye entertains the crowd playing the ?Djembe? during...]()
John Sudbrink / Daily Press
El Hadji Faye entertains the crowd playing the ?Djembe? during third day of ceremonies for First African Landing Day at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Va.
![Army Private First Class Jewel Scott of the 7th Transportation...]()
Steve Earley / The Virginian-Pilot
Army Private First Class Jewel Scott of the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) carries the American flag during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe in Hampton on Saturday, August 24, 2019.
![Carol Tucker works to pick up fallen tree limbs and...]()
Aileen Devlin / Daily Press
Carol Tucker works to pick up fallen tree limbs and debris found in her family cemetery as they work to clean the grounds in Hampton on Saturday, April 9, 2016.
![Members of the Tucker family and community friends walk past...]()
Aileen Devlin / Daily Press
Members of the Tucker family and community friends walk past family members' graves who are buried at the Tucker Cemetery in Hampton. A group worked over the weekend to clean the grounds around the burials. Saturday, April 9, 2016.
![A projection for the anniversary of the first Africans arrival...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
A projection for the anniversary of the first Africans arrival in Virginia is displayed in one of the conference rooms at the Hampton Roads Convention Center on Friday, August 23, 2019.
![Jerome Jones explores inside the Fort Monroe Visitor And Education...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Jerome Jones explores inside the Fort Monroe Visitor And Education Center during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe Saturday August 24, 2019.
![Hampton Mayor George Wallace carries a weed waker and walks...]()
Aileen Devlin / Daily Press
Hampton Mayor George Wallace carries a weed waker and walks past a concrete bench at the Tucker Cemetery in Hampton on Saturday, April 9, 2016.
![Ralph Northam, Governor of Virginia, speaks during the First African...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
Ralph Northam, Governor of Virginia, speaks during the First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe on August, 24, 2019.
![Hundreds of people gather in Continental Park to listen to...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Hundreds of people gather in Continental Park to listen to speakers during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe Saturday August 24, 2019.
![Philip Adderley poses for a portrait in front on the...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
Philip Adderley poses for a portrait in front on the lighthouse at Fort Monroe during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe on August, 24, 2019. He is dress as William Roscoe Davis who was the light keeper from 1870 to 1876.
![Members of the Hampton Sheriff's Office Inmate Workforce team cut...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Members of the Hampton Sheriff's Office Inmate Workforce team cut grass at Tucker Family Cemetery Wednesday morning on March 30, 2016. Members of the William Tucker 1624 Society are planning a clean-up effort for Saturday, April 2, 2016.
![Hampton Mayor George Wallce helps the oldest living Tucker family...]()
Aileen Devlin / Daily Press
Hampton Mayor George Wallce helps the oldest living Tucker family member Alexander S. Tucker Jr. walk up to the Tucker Cemetery in Hampton on Saturday, April 9, 2016.
![Representative Bobby Scott speaks during the First African Landing Commemorative...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
Representative Bobby Scott speaks during the First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe on August, 24, 2019.
![Charmaine Vauters holds her hands to the sky during a...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Charmaine Vauters holds her hands to the sky during a flower petal throwing ceremony as part of the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe Saturday August 24, 2019.
![Aaron Firth, National Park Ranger, gives a tour of some...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
Aaron Firth, National Park Ranger, gives a tour of some of the attractions around Fort Monroe during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony on August, 24, 2019.
![The William Tucker 1624 Society held a ceremony to honor...]()
Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press
The William Tucker 1624 Society held a ceremony to honor and remember their ancestors at the Tucker Cemetery Friday August 23, 2019 in Hampton. Many present trace their family lineage back to William Tucker the first child born in English North America to enslaved African parents.
![Alzalia Salley Woodard poses for a photo with a hand...]()
John Sudbrink/Freelance
Alzalia Salley Woodard poses for a photo with a hand made walking stick along side the McCoy Family Bell on Sunday, August 25, 2019 during First African Landing Day commemorative ceremonies at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia.
![An old tombstone rests in the Tucker Family Cemetery. Members...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
An old tombstone rests in the Tucker Family Cemetery. Members of the William Tucker 1624 Society are planning a clean-up effort for Saturday, April 2, 2016.
![Tchesar Jendayi dances as the parade of flags moves along...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Tchesar Jendayi dances as the parade of flags moves along Fenwick Road during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe Saturday August 24, 2019.
![Brycen Dildey raises his hand in the air as he...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
Brycen Dildey raises his hand in the air as he thanks the crowd for listening to his speech during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe on August, 24, 2019.
![Nakima performs with a shekere, a West African percussion instrument,...]()
Steve Earley / The Virginian-Pilot
Nakima performs with a shekere, a West African percussion instrument, during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe in Hampton on Saturday, August 24, 2019.
![Visitors photograph the historical marker at the site of the...]()
Steve Earley / The Virginian-Pilot
Visitors photograph the historical marker at the site of the first Africans to arrive in Virginia during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe in Hampton on Saturday, August 24, 2019.
![Chief Nji Moussa Njikam, left, of the Bamoun Kingdom in...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Chief Nji Moussa Njikam, left, of the Bamoun Kingdom in the United States and Chiefs from Cameroon wait on the shore of Buckroe Beach before the start of a sunrise service Saturday morning August 24, 2019. The event included a spiritual cleansing and African Naming ceremony presented by African Queen Mothers.
![Verandah Tucker, left, stands near a gravestone surrounded by overgrown...]()
Aileen Devlin / Daily Press
Verandah Tucker, left, stands near a gravestone surrounded by overgrown plant life at the Tucker Cemetery in Hampton on Saturday, April 9, 2016.
![Nana Malaya kisses a flower pedal up to her head...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
Nana Malaya kisses a flower pedal up to her head as she prays for the lives that we lost during the Middle Passage before throwing into the water during the First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe on August, 24, 2019.
![Fannese Britton of the music and folklore group Atumpan, performs...]()
Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press
Fannese Britton of the music and folklore group Atumpan, performs during a ceremony Friday August 23, 2019 in Hampton to honor the ancestors of William Tucker. Tucker was the first child born to Africans brought to English North America in 1619.
![Guests explore inside the Fort Monroe Visitor And Education Center...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Guests explore inside the Fort Monroe Visitor And Education Center during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe Saturday August 24, 2019.
![Members of the Hampton Sheriff's Office Inmate Workforce team tend...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Members of the Hampton Sheriff's Office Inmate Workforce team tend to the grounds of Tucker Family Cemetery Wednesday morning on March 30, 2016. Members of the William Tucker 1624 Society are planning a clean-up effort for Saturday, April 2, 2016.
![A panel of African American legislators and mayors discuss race,...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
A panel of African American legislators and mayors discuss race, politics and crime ahead of the 1619 anniversary of the first Africans arrival to Virginia at the Hampton Road Convention Center on Friday, August 23, 2019. The panel is among several events during the 6th annual Cities United conference.
![Traditional African patterned fabric lines to entrance to the Tucker...]()
Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press
Traditional African patterned fabric lines to entrance to the Tucker Cemetery in Hampton Friday August 23, 2019. The William Tucker 1624 Society held a service to honor their ancestors "known and unknown" that landed at Point Comfort on Fort Monroe in 1619 and were the first Africans in English North America.
![Former Governor of Virginia, Douglas Wilder, speaks about his experience...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
Former Governor of Virginia, Douglas Wilder, speaks about his experience running for office during a panel at Hampton Roads Convention Center honoring pioneering African American legislators and mayors on Friday, August 23, 2019.
![Brothers Christopher, left and Chayim Hatcher dance to the rhythm...]()
Steve Earley / The Virginian-Pilot
Brothers Christopher, left and Chayim Hatcher dance to the rhythm of Culture Queen during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe in Hampton on Saturday, August 24, 2019.
![African Queen Mothers walk towards the water during a sunrise...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
African Queen Mothers walk towards the water during a sunrise service at Buckroe Beach Saturday morning August 24, 2019. The event included a spiritual cleansing and African Naming ceremony presented by African Queen Mothers.
![Servers bring plates of foods to the people attending a...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
Servers bring plates of foods to the people attending a panel at Hampton Roads Convention Center that is honoring pioneering African American legislators and mayors on Friday, August 23, 2019.
![National Parks Ranger, Christine Lucero, bows her head during a...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
National Parks Ranger, Christine Lucero, bows her head during a pray at the beginning of the First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe on Saturday, August 24, 2019.
![Calvin Pearson holds a bowl of flower pedals that will...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
Calvin Pearson holds a bowl of flower pedals that will be thrown into the water for ceremony to remember the lives that were lost during the Middle Passage at the First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe on August, 24, 2019.
![Members of the Elegba Folklore Society Drummers hold hands during...]()
John Sudbrink / Daily Press
Members of the Elegba Folklore Society Drummers hold hands during prayer on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Sunday was Healing Day at the First African Landing Day commemorative ceremonies at Fort Monroe inHampton, Virginia.
![Doctor Colita Fairfax talks during a ceremony Friday August 23,...]()
Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press
Doctor Colita Fairfax talks during a ceremony Friday August 23, 2019 to honor the descendants of William Tucker, the first child born to Africans in English North America.
![A young girl takes cover beneath an umbrella during the...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
A young girl takes cover beneath an umbrella during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe Saturday August 24, 2019.
![Pamoja Tutashinoh dances in the middle of a circle during...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
Pamoja Tutashinoh dances in the middle of a circle during the parade of flags and drum call at the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony in Hampton on Saturday.
![Nana Malaya holds a flower pedal up to her head...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
Nana Malaya holds a flower pedal up to her head as she prays for the lives that we lost during the Middle Passage before throwing into the water during the First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe on August, 24, 2019.
![Friends and family members work to clean up the ground...]()
Aileen Devlin / Daily Press
Friends and family members work to clean up the ground of the Tucker Cemetery in Hampton on Saturday, April 9, 2016.
![Krystel Jordan and daughter Jordyn Depina look at the graves...]()
Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press
Krystel Jordan and daughter Jordyn Depina look at the graves in the historic Tucker Cemetery Friday August 23, 2019 after a ceremony to honor the defendants of William Tucker, the first black child born to African parents in English North America.
![Ralph Northam, Governor of Virginia, is seen on projection screen...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
Ralph Northam, Governor of Virginia, is seen on projection screen as he speaks during the First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe on August, 24, 2019.
![Jermaine Nelson receives a spiritual cleansing from African Queen Mothers...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Jermaine Nelson receives a spiritual cleansing from African Queen Mothers during a sunrise service at Buckroe Beach Saturday morning August 24, 2019.
![Ms. Chadra Pittman dances to the beat of African drummers...]()
John Sudbrink / Daily Press
Ms. Chadra Pittman dances to the beat of African drummers on Sunday, August 25, 2019 during Healing Day, the third day First African Landing Day commemorative ceremonies Fort Monroe in Hampton, Va.
![William Tucker 1624 Society holds a service to remember their...]()
Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press
William Tucker 1624 Society holds a service to remember their ancestors at the Tucker Cemetery in Hampton Friday August 23, 2019. Members of the music and dance group Atumpan perform traditional African dances during the service. The ceremony kicks off the 1619-2019 Commemoration of the first Africans arriving in English North America at Point Comfort on Fort Monroe with events going on all weekend.
![Dmitri Clawson plays a drum as the parade of flags...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Dmitri Clawson plays a drum as the parade of flags moves along Fenwick Road during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe Saturday August 24, 2019.
![Brycen Dildey speaks during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
Brycen Dildey speaks during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe on August, 24, 2019.
![James P. Morgan, Former U.S. House of Representative, speaks during...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
James P. Morgan, Former U.S. House of Representative, speaks during the 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe on August, 24, 2019.
![Members of the Tucker family and community friends walk through...]()
Aileen Devlin / Daily Press
Members of the Tucker family and community friends walk through the Tucker Cemetery in Hampton before getting to work to clean up the grounds on Saturday, April 9, 2016.
![Terry E. Brown, Superintendent Fort Monroe, watches as paper butterflies...]()
John Sudbrink / Daily Press
Terry E. Brown, Superintendent Fort Monroe, watches as paper butterflies are launched into the air over the McCoy Bell during the First African Landing Day commemorative ceremony on Sunday, August 25, 2019 in Hampton, Va. The bell sounded four times for each one-hundred years since the 1619 landing.
![Notes written by individuals are displayed on a billboard at...]()
Daniel Linhart / Daily Press
Notes written by individuals are displayed on a billboard at a booth during 2019 First African Landing Commemorative Ceremony at Fort Monroe on August, 24, 2019.
![Vince Tucker, left, Hampton Mayor George Wallace, center, and Verrandall...]()
Aileen Devlin / Daily Press
Vince Tucker, left, Hampton Mayor George Wallace, center, and Verrandall Tucker, right, walk through overgrown plant life to find gravestone surrounded by overgrown plant life at the Tucker Cemetery in Hampton. Saturday, April 9, 2016.
![Eola Dance receives a spiritual cleansing from African Queen Mothers...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Eola Dance receives a spiritual cleansing from African Queen Mothers during a sunrise service at Buckroe Beach Saturday morning August 24, 2019.
![Carter Shelton of Washington D.C. quietly plays at the Tucker...]()
Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press
Carter Shelton of Washington D.C. quietly plays at the Tucker Cemetery in Hampton Friday August 23, 2019 after the descendants of the first black child born in North America, William Tucker, held a service to reflect and remember their ancestors. The event kicks off the 1619-2019 Commemoration of the first Africans arriving in English North America at Point Comfort on Fort Monroe with events going on all weekend.
Before the bells rang, performers drummed and danced, and speakers fired up the crowd at the 1619 commemoration events Aug. 25, Healing Day began with the unveiling of a painting depicting Anthony, Isabella and William Tucker, believed to be the first family that formed of the Africans brought to English-speaking North America in 1619.
It was a quieter moment in the full weekend — just artist Sonja Griffin Evans describing the inspiration behind her work, titled “The First Family,” in the Fort Monroe Theatre.
Griffin Evans, who’s based in South Carolina, said her art depicts culture, history and people, so when she was in Virginia a year ago and learned of the first family, she was overwhelmed. “I knew I had to create a piece for them,” she said.
The painting shows Anthony with Isabella, who is carrying a baby William Tucker, the first child of African descent to have his birth recorded in English North America. They’re standing on a beach with a ship in the distance, posing like any other family would for a portrait. There are no shackles or chains or other signs of bondage.
Griffin Evans emphasizes whenever she discusses her work that she is not depicting slaves.
“My ancestors were not slaves. They were agricultural engineers and masterful craftsmen who were enslaved because of their intelligence,” she said.
The painting contains symbols such as a white lion in the folds of William Tucker’s blanket to evoke the name of the ship that brought the first “20 and odd” Africans to Virginia. Cowrie shells adorn Isabella’s hair, showing she maintains her self-worth, Griffin Evans said, and Anthony holds a bunch of sassafras, long used for its healing and soothing capabilities.
Griffin Evans did not meet the Tucker family of Hampton before she created the painting, but she channeled their story as she depicted their claimed ancestors. When she paints, Griffin Evans said she feels as if the subjects are behind her shoulder, guiding her hand and eye.
The Tucker family and others hosted a commemorative event at its graveyard, one of the oldest black cemeteries in Hampton, Aug. 23. Some have suggested William Tucker is buried there in an unmarked plot.
Carolita Jones Cope, a member of the Tucker family, said she was honored by Griffin Evans’ tribute and appreciated the details that showed an empowered Anthony and Isabella. She also loved their soft expressions as they looked down upon their baby.
Jones Cope said she’s seen depictions of the baby William Tucker, so she was glad this work put faces to the names Anthony and Isabella and depicted them as a family who loved each other amid a terrible situation.
The painting is currently with Griffin Evans, and she will travel to show it at various locations. Her hope is that it will find a home in Hampton.
“That’s where it belongs,” she said.
To see the painting or purchase a print, visit sonjagriffinevans.com.
