EdTalk Beacon of History
Thursday, February 22, 2024 | 6 PM
Beacon of History: Illuminating the Past & Igniting the Future
Join us on Thursday, February 22nd from 6 PM – 7:30 PM for a captivating EdTalk featuring esteemed speakers Dr. William Wiggins and Dr. Colita Fairfax. Delve into the remarkable journey of William Roscoe Davis, born a slave in Norfolk, who escaped to Fort Monroe during the Civil War and became a pivotal figure as the head lighthouse keeper at Old Point Comfort.
Dr. William Wiggins is a historian and scholar that taught at University of Connecticut, St. Olaf and Allegheny Colleges, Hampton University and Columbia University where he also served as an Assistant Dean.
Dr. Colita Fairfax is a Professor, Honors College Senior Faculty Fellow, and an inaugural faculty scholar in the Center for African American Public Policy at Norfolk State University
Dr. Wiggins and Dr. Fairfax will discuss the little-told narrative of Davis as “contraband” and how his resilience and contributions illuminate a significant chapter in African American history. The speakers will share their efforts to locate Davis’s final resting place, shedding light on the importance of preserving African American cemeteries and honoring the legacies of those who paved the way.
Admission to the EdTalk is free but registration is required!