The Catholic Rural Life Conferences and Anti-Racism Task Force of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Social Action Office invite you to join us for a series of three presentations looking at three unique aspects of African American history in southwestern Ohio.
The talks will operate independently so attendees can join for the whole series or simply the one or two that work for their schedules. All talks will take place over Zoom.
Session 3:
Gist Communities—Settlements of Freed Slaves: How They Happened and Continue Today
In the early part of the 19th century, Samuel Gist of Virginia bought several hundred acres of land in southwest Ohio which he bequeathed to his slaves. They were emancipated upon Gist’s death and escorted to this land to live as freed black persons. Learn how three Gist Communities were formed from this reality, how they worked, how they eventually dwindled, and how folks today struggle to preserve them (and learn about other experiences of rural Blacks in the quest for equal treatment).
Presenters: Neil Snarr, Professor Emeritus at Wilmington College, & Peggy Mills Warner, 6th generation descendent of the Gist Community in Brown County
