FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                                           PRESS CONTACT:  CHANIN PAXTON
JUNE 27, 2010                                                                                                                                                                                                                  910-964-8790 

Dred Scott and Traces of the Trade

Fundraising Dinner Soiree and  Dance

The Dred Scott Decision was 153 years ago.  In 2007-2008, descendants of Dred and Harriet Scott and the community at large commemorated that time and committed to work towards commemoration, education and reconciliation of the Scotts and our histories.  One of the visions of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation is to partner with other descendants of history makers as the Sons and Daughters of Reconciliation.  In 2001, the family of James DeWolf, the largest slave trader in the US, had previously discovered their heritage and has come to grips with it in a compelling and dramatic way.  They traced the steps of the life of their ancestor and came face to face with the cultures and peoples their forefathers had enslaved.  Their documentary, Traces of the Trade: A Story of the Deep North, was nominated for an Emmy.  The Dred Scott Heritage Foundation is partnering with them for the first in a series of foundation events that are purposed to open more doors to healing and understanding. 

Mr. Harold Fields will be our keynote speaker.  He is a retired civil engineer and has been the facilitator for a monthly citywide racial dialogue in Denver for the past 12 years. He is a board member for the national initiative, Coming to the Table.  It brings together descendants of former slaves and slave owners for dialogue, reconciliation, and healing.  He has been an active participant and the national training director for the film, and he serves on the board of The Tracing Center on Histories and Legacies of Slavery, Inc.

Holly Fulton, one of the descendants of Mr. James John DeWolf, once the largest slave trader in the United States will appear.  This evening will center on how the DeWolf descendants responded to the revelation of their ancestry, including the documentary that was produced by descendant Katrina Brown, that traces the history of the slave trade and their family's role in it.   Becoming exponents for social justice, especially as it relates to race relations, has become the family response.  The proposed heritage of Dred and Harriet Scott are explored through the research done through this documentary.

Ruth Ann Hager, author of Dred and Harriet Scott: Their Family Story and Dr. David Konig, The Dred Scott Case: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on Race and Law (Law Society & Politics in the Midwest) will be on hand signing copies of their books. Signed copies of the new educational Dred Scott Activity and Coloring Book created by Lynne Jackson, will be available. 

The Normandy High School Jazz Band under the direction of Thomas Moore will be performing during the pre-reception.

3 Central will be providing entertainment for the dancing.

The dinner will be held on Saturday, July 24, 2010 at the Hilton at the Ball Park in the Arch View Room.  The pre-reception will be at 5:30 pm and dinner starts at 6:15 pm. Tickets are $100 each.

For further information please contact Chanin Paxton at 910-964-8790.