Honoring the Past, Investing in the Future

In the 2021 Regular Session, the Virginia state legislature passed a landmark bill requiring five public colleges and universities to offer scholarships to the descendants of enslaved individuals who once labored on their campuses. Enslaved Ancestors College Access Scholarship and Memorial Program started in the 2022-2023 academic year, including Longwood University, the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, the Virginia Military Institute, and The College of William and Mary in Virginia. This historic step acknowledges the deep-rooted contributions and sacrifices of enslaved people while creating meaningful opportunities for their descendants to pursue higher education.

At Finding Deep Roots, we believe every family’s story is worth uncovering — and that understanding our history can shape a brighter future. This legislation is a reminder of the power of research, truth, and advocacy to bring long-overdue recognition to the legacies of those who came before us.

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