Whispers from the Water

St. Mary's College of Maryland (Student Affairs, African and African Diaspora Studies, and the Center for the Study of Democracy), Historic Sotterley, and Historic St. Mary's City are partnering to present a screening of the powerful 2022 Netflix film, “Descendant,” to our community. The screening will be followed by a panel that will discuss the film, how it showcases previously undiscovered historical findings, as well as the long-lasting negative economic, environmental and social impacts the slave trade continues to have on Africatown and our nation. The panel will feature Jocelyn Davis, a direct descendant of Clotilda survivor Charlie Lewis and lifelong resident of Africatown, as well as Kamau Sadiki who was featured in the documentary for his work as a member of the dive team Divers with a Purpose and who is the President of the National Association of Black Scuba Divers that identified the Clotilda. Joining the panel will be Susan Langley, PhD, the Maryland state underwater archaeologist and adjunct professor of anthropology at St. Mary's College of Maryland; Liza Gijanto, PhD, associate professor of anthropology at St. Mary's College of Maryland; Kelsey Bush, Historic Sotterley Descendant and board member as well as the community affairs liaison of St. Mary's College of Maryland; and Gwen Bankins, Historic Sotterley Descendant and secretary of the Historic Sotterley board of trustees. Free Event, Registration Required. For additional information and to register click https://inside.smcm.edu/events/whispers-water-apr-29