In the morning of July 25, 2026, Oatlands descendant, author and historian Kevin Grigsby guided a tour for a small group, including actor and humanitarian Djimon Hounsou, that described the history of Oatlands through the experiences of the enslaved men, women and children.

The “Seeing Our Humanity” event held at Oatlands in Leesburg, Va., brought together descendants from all four National Historic Trust Sites of enslavement in Virginia – Woodlawn, Belle Grove Plantation, Oatlands and Montpelier.

This video features a libation ceremony to honor ancestors and the day's keynote conversation with Academy Award-nominated actor and humanitarian Djimon Hounsou and Brent Leggs, president and CEO of the National Trust, alongside musical performances by Washington Revels' ensemble Jubilee Voices.

• Brent Leggs, President and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation
• Djimon Hounsou, Academy Award-nominated actor and humanitarian

Moderator: Nakita Reed, Senior Director for Preservation Operations, African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund

Panelists

• Rev. Larry Walker, Jr., President of the Montpelier Descendants Committee
• Henry Anglin, Memorialization Committee Chair of the Montpelier Descendants Committee
• Le Shaun Quander-Mosley, Co-Chair Emeritus of the League of Descendants of the Enslaved at Mount Vernon
• Tressa Bell-Burton, Descendant of the Enslaved at Belle Grove Plantation
• Ann Chinn - Founder of the Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project

Moderator: Tiffany Tolbert, Co-Director, African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund

Panelists

• Michelle Oliver, Founder of Genconcept, LLC
• Elizabeth Woodson, Executive Director of Reckon With