Black Women United for Action Gala

Dinner with Hercules & Friends

Black Women United for Action (BWUFA) are extremely proud to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the unveiling of the Slave Memorial with a gala dinner inspired by George Washington’s enslaved chef, Hercules Posey. Posey, widely admired for his culinary skills, prepared meals for world leaders at the first Presidential house and at Mount Vernon. This event will be celebrated on Friday, October 20 with an evening reception and seated dinner overlooking the east lawn and the Potomac River.

This black-tie fundraising event will create an African American research fellowship at the George Washington Presidential Library that will promote the study of the resilience, strengths, and contributions of enslaved and free black persons from the 18th century to the present. The research conducted by these scholars will contribute to publications, media productions, classroom resources, art and community education programs so that the descendants of enslaved individuals can ensure that the future generations of youth recognize the resilience and strengths exhibited by the ancestors who are part of our nation’s heritage.

Forty years ago, Howard University students designed the Slave Memorial Monument that is unveiled each year in a joint event hosted by BWUFA and the MVLA to ensure that all enslaved persons, especially those who lived, worked, and died at Mount Vernon, are honored for their contributions. This year’s Slave Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony is on Saturday, October 7 at 11:00 a.m.

Both of these October events commemorate a past in order to impact future generations. Contributing financially to support the research fellowship will ensure that the contributions by the enslaved people are not forgotten and that the lessons of history will become the roadmap to a better future for generations to come.