JESSUP WHITE: Well, it really is representative of who we are as Americans and how we've at times mistreated each other. Gayle Jessup White is the Public Relations and Community Engagement Officer at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's legendary estate. Gayle taught journalism at VCU and created training programs for at-risk young adults. But again, it took decades and decades for scholars and the public to accept the truth. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 442-H New York Standard Operating Procedures. Its a contradiction that courses through Whites bloodstream and inhabits her DNA as a descendant of both Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, the enslaved Black woman with whom he had at least six children. White, Monticellos first public relations and community engagement officer, joins us to discuss her book Reclamation, which chronicles her remarkable journey to understand and reclaim her heritage as a Jefferson descendant. Hardcover For generations, historians and the American public alike ignored the stories of descendants of the Founding Fathers enslaved families. She held on to that. In her book, Reclamation, Gayle chronicles her journey to find her heritage, and more. This was happening all over in plantations in the South. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. For listings in Canada, the trademarks REALTOR, REALTORS, and the REALTOR logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. I'm not, but you are. For four decades, she researched familial connections to Please check your information and try again or call us at 1-800-759-0700. 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. This program was held at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. A Washington, DC native, Gayle and her family moved to Richmond in 2006. What was the breakthrough in public acceptance of the fact that Thomas Jefferson - and now we're finding out that any number of Founding Fathers also had Black families. . Download the free myCBN app. 1 ranking in country. The Making of Presidents' and First Ladies' Portraits. Gayle Jessup White had long heard the stories passed down from her fathers family, that they were direct descendants of Thomas Jeffersonlore she firmly believed, though others did not. White, Monticellos first public relations and 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 . By Gayle Jessup White is a communications consultant, writer, and realtor. Our It is my right and the right of every descendant of enslaved people to claim their stake in America.. Journalist Gayle Jessup White and historian Andrew M. Davenport MA17, cousins and descendants of families enslaved by Founding Father and third U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, will present A Report from Monticello: Restoring African American Narratives to Thomas Jeffersons Plantation," in a discussion to be moderated by Professor Philip Eliasoph, PhD, OVF founder and director. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. 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. Gayle would spend years following clues, tracing her family tree, and scouring historical records. Has the White House ever been renovated or changed? 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.. Oral history matters because for many Black people that's all we have, Gayle explains. Why do you think that was, that there's something about it that stuck with you? Hardcover Every family has its secrets and family lore, and often the inheritors of those stories can't separate fact from fiction. My dad was 6'2", had red hair and freckles. Gayle Jessup White had long heard the stories passed down from . Did any presidents live elsewhere during their administrations? White proves that her transformative research and discovery is well worth the journey. I grew up as a Black American and proud of it. *This is a promotional service of HarperCollins As Gayle followed her own leads, DNA research confirmed the long-told rumor that Jefferson had children with an enslaved woman named Sally Hemings. Gayle recounts, Well I was shocked. Executive Mansion as well as the stories of the people who lived and worked (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). JESSUP WHITE: Well the person who told my sister this was a woman in the family called Aunt Peachie (ph). Davenport researched Getting Word while a Robert H. Smith Fellow at the International Center for Jefferson Studies in July 2017, and recently served as an adjunct professor of African American Art History at Fairfield University. Andrew M. Davenport, a 2008 graduate of Fairfield College Preparatory School is a writer, editor, and teacher. She is not only a direct Jefferson descendant, but is related to two well-documented families enslaved at Monticello the Hemingses and the Hubbards. Her new book, Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, And A Descendant's Search For Her Family's Lasting Legacy," is out now. With Cinders help, Gayles four decades of research would soon culminate: Thomas Jefferson was her 5-times great grandfather, and Sally Hemings, her 4-times great aunt. Gayle Jes. Join 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. Deputies in Davidson County rushed to help a 69-year-old man they'd found unresponsive in his house following a welfare check. . And I've found my wholeness., A wholeness she hopes all Americans will soon share. It was just enough information out there to keep me aware of the possibility. She and her husband, retired Time Magazine columnist Jack White Jr have a blended family of four sons, one daughter, and seven granddaughters. Skip to main content. MARTIN: I want to mention that you are now working at Monticello, which must be a kind of a head-snapping experience. MARTIN: Why do you think it is that you - there was a part of you that always believed it and just had faith in it. She is the author of the book, Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and a Descendants Search for Her Familys Lasting Legacy. 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 Making of Presidents' and First Ladies' Portraits. 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. For 20. This doesnt make sense to me. All Daddy said to me was, That's what they say. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. White, a Henrico County resident, and the public relations and community engagement officer at Monticello, describes her four-decade effort to reclaim her family heritage in her recently released book, Reclamation., Or as she wrote: It was always my goal to uncover my roots, to understand my familys place in American history, and to restore them to the nations narrative. For more information or to reserve your seat, visit www.quickcenter.com or call the Box Office at 203-254-4010, or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396. The McKnew family put her out and ours took her in. 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. 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. A womans search for love leads to a string of bad relationships and drug addiction. there. Living the Christian life is a journey. A woman is diagnosed with cancer and its spreading quickly. A former award-winning television reporter and anchor, Jessup White started her career at the New York Times. With tax cuts unresolved, his session wins included movement on workforce development and his losses included the 15-week abortion bill. Get daily or weekly highlights from The 700 Club delivered to your inbox. The Spotsylvania County Sheriffs Office has decided to end its participation on a national television show, at least for now. The findings: Jeffersons great-great-grandson, Moncure Robinson Taylor, was Whites great-grandfather through a relationship with his familys domestic servant, Whites great-grandmother Rachel Robinson. God made it possible for you to know. Gayle Jessup White, thank you so much for joining us. Its not the same place it was when we moved down here. He is currently a research assistant with the Georgetown Slavery Archive. As people say, it is what it is. She grew up hearing the lore that her family is descended from our countrys third president, Thomas Jefferson. When an ultrasound reveals no movement and barely a heartbeat, they fear for their babys life. "Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.". MARTIN: How do you reconcile for yourself those contradictions which live in you? Her curiosity about how her Black family could be related to Jefferson drove her to study her familys genealogy. They were tough. For four decades the acclaimed journalist and genealogy enthusiast researched her connection to Thomas Jefferson, to confirm its truth once and for all. What are some unusual animals that have lived in and around the White House? Classroom Resource Packet: Slavery, Freedom, and the White HouseJames Madison's Montpelier: Fate in the BalanceThe Enslaved Household of Dr. Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, author of "Red, White and Blue on the Runway: The 1968 White House Fashion Show and the Politics Join historian and Pat Nixon biographer Heath Lee and former Nixon White House staffer Barbara Franklin as they discuss the Join us in learning more about White House History right from your own home. Facebook and YouTube pages starting at 5:30 pm ET on January 10. Jefferson, ultimately learning that she was not only a descendant of Jefferson Erin Keever is Senior Producer of WFAE'sCharlotte Talks with Mike Collins. 2023 The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc., A nonprofit 501 (c)(3) Charitable Organization. She is a direct Jefferson descendant, and is also related to two well-documented families enslaved at Monticellothe Hemingses and the Hubbards. There was a problem saving your notification. Growing up, she had heard that her African American family was somehow descended from Thomas Jefferson, but with limited records and tight-lipped relatives, there was no proof. I just felt the energy and the urgency from our ancestors to tell this story, White said during a recent interview as she headed to Washington for an appearance on CNN. submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email 90.3 Hickory 106.1 Laurinburg, PublishedNovember 10, 2021 at 9:00 AM EST. (203) 254-4000. Her family tree traces back to Thomas Jefferson, our third president. For four decades, she researched familial connections to Jefferson, ultimately learning that she was not only a descendant of Jefferson on his fathers side but also the great-great-great-granddaughter of Peter Hemings, Sally Hemings brother. Bookperk and other HarperCollins services. Send us comments about our Author Pages. It behooves us all to know that history. Days. And Sallie Hemmans Whites great-great-grandmother was the daughter of Peter Hemings, an older brother of Sally Hemings. Gayle Jessup White began her career at The New York Times and was an award-winning TV reporter before becoming Monticello's first community engagement officer in 2016. And it's important to note as well that we know what happened at Monticello, but it wasn't unusual. One relative is a historical figure in her own right. I needed to know that to feel whole. Location: The Regina A. Used under license. 01/10/2023. 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. MARTIN: This was a long journey for you, and also a very long journey into public acceptance of these facts, right? Visit Author Central to update your books, profile picture, and biography. She says, For many years I assumed I was descended from Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. We, like many Americans, are sometimes unaware of those blind spots, and like our nation, we need to face them and change., Bowman called the book an important one for Monticello and for our country as we work to tell a more honest and complicated history of our past.. BISAC1 : BISAC2 : BISAC3 : DESK & EXAM She is not only a direct Jefferson descendant, but is related to two well-documented families enslaved at Monticello - the Hemingses and the Hubbards. She attended the citys private and public schools and attended Howard University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. A former award-winning television reporter and anchor, Gayle started her career at the New York Times. 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. [a] timely, relevant, and important book." And then, of course, these stories were reported back when Jefferson was president back in 1801. If you have an immediate prayer need, please call our 24-hour prayer line at 800-700-7000. GAYLE JESSUP WHITE: I heard it from my oldest sister, who's about 20 years older than I am. 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