2026 Descendants Day

Join us on Saturday, June 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for Descendants Day at Highland. The Highland Council of Descendant Advisors welcomes all attendees, whether descendants or not. Plan to take part in the day’s music, food, and presentations, and be ready to learn about the activities of many community groups.

Descendants Day 2026 Schedule of Events

10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Community Partnerships
Exhibitor Tent – Explore, connect, and learn

11:00 a.m. Opening Program
Musical Selection
Keynote and Q&A with Dr. Lehman Bates II
Panel discussion with Dr. Bates, Alton Coston III, George Monroe Jr., and Rakeem Walker; moderated by Dr. Lisa Armstrong

12:20 p.m. Descendant Video Presentation

12:30 p.m. Grace and Invitation to Lunch

12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Lunchtime Programming
Lunch provided for all attendees
Community Partnerships in Exhibitor Tent
Historic Highland Exploration
Networking

2:00 p.m. Historical Performance
by Nathan Richardson

3:00 p.m. Musical Selections, Community Spotlight, and acknowledgments

3:45 p.m. Calling of the Names

4:00 p.m. Closing Remarks

Special thanks to the Mortimer & Ruth Caplin Foundation, Tamara and Cooper Wamsley, the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, the African American Pastors Council, UVA Health, the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Virginia Tent Rental, and MS Events for supporting Descendants Day at Highland. We would also like to thank The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for providing access to FamilySearch.