Past Events

Over the summer of 2022, Project Illuminate partnered with the High Street Theater in Farmville, Virginia to host a viewing and post-viewing discussion on the films Da 5 Bloods and Glory. 

In July 2022, Project Illuminate hosted a discussion leader training workshop. During this weekend long event hosted at the Robert Russa Moton Museum, in Farmville, Virginia, discussion leaders from various expertise backgrounds, such as history, social work, and communications, came together together to learn more about the historical aspects regarding race, the military, and some of our nation's biggest wars. Discussion leaders also learned about discussion facilitation and practiced their skills to prepare for our upcoming Dinner and Conversation series.

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The Moton Museum was a vital landmark during the Civil Rights Movement and part of a larger civil rights struggle in Prince Edward County. It is the current location of our Farmville Dinner and Conversation Series.

To kick off the discussion leader training, our leaders were able to meet via Zoom with Shoshana Johnson and learn more about her experience as a Black female veteran and how that affected her perspective on patriotism, race, and her homecoming experience. Shoshana Johnson is a U.S. Army veteran who was the first Black, female prisoner of war in the history of the United States Military. To learn more about Shoshana and her experience, check out her book, I’m Still Standing: From Captive U.S. Soldier to Free Citizen – My Journey Home.

Like our upcoming Spring Dinner and Conversation Series, Project Illuminate hosted a three part series in the Fall in both Richmond and Farmville. At these dinners, veterans came together to discuss their stories of patriotism, race, and coming home from war.

Join the conversation with our upcoming Dinner and Conversation!