Nat Turner Rebellion Anniversary, #Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce Launches, Roanoke Community Beautification, Right to Read Event
NAT TURNER (October 2, 1800 – November 11, 1831) REBELLION ANNIVERSARY. The 192nd anniversary of the Nat Turner Revolt is today to August 23. The rebellion by a group of enslaved Virginians was called “the most significant uprising in American history” by National Museum of African American History and Culture director Lonnie Bunch. The National Museum of African American History has several Nat Turner related artifacts including his bible and a machete donated to the museum by a Southampton resident.
The Nat Turner rebellion, which took place in Southampton County, stands as the deadliest slave revolt in American history. Turner’s rebels killed over 55 white people from August 21-23 in 1831.
Southampton County Virginia officials only recently changed a number of street signs related to the Turner revolt. Most notably Blackhead Signpost Road which was named after white mobs retaliated against the slave revolt by placing the heads of Black people they killed on signposts after revolt as a warning to others enslaved. In 2021, a historic marker was placed at the location.
🚩 RELATED: The Nat Turner Project: A Digital Archive of Historical Sources
In retaliation after the rebellion, white residents of Southhampton killed at least 200 Black people, many of whom had nothing to do with the revolt. They also formed militias and created a number of new laws regulating and monitoring Blacks in all social spaces.
“It is with pain that we speak of another feature of the Southampton Rebellion; for we have been most unwilling to have our sympathies for the sufferers diminished or affected by their misconduct. We allude to the slaughter of many blacks, without trial, and under circumstances of great barbarity. How many have thus been put into death (generally by decapitation or shooting) reports vary; probably however some five and twenty and from that to 40; possibly yet a larger number,”
— The Richmond Constitutional Whig newspaper, September 3, 1831
On Nov. 11, 1831, Nat Turner was hanged. After a number of “show trials,” the Commonwealth of Virginia executed 56 Black people accused of participating in the Turner rebellion. Legislatures throughout the South enacted laws prohibiting the education of enslaved people and free Black people, noting that Nat Turner could read and was educated.
After Bacon's Rebellion in 1676 in Virginia laws were passes to prohibit Blacks from bearing arms and prohibited Blacks from gathering in large numbers. Laws also mandated harsh punishment for slaves who attempted to escape. After the Turner revolt in 1831, Virginia passed laws prohibiting Blacks from gathering in groups without whites present at night — regardless of whether white ministers were officiating.
The Turner revolt has been the subject of several movies and documentaries. The most prominent is the 2016 film Birth of a Nation by Nate Parker, who is from Norfolk, Virginia.
Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Official Launch During National Black Business Month
Press Release: Coinciding with National Black Business Month, the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce (VABCC) is thrilled to announce its official launch. The VABCC, dedicated to fostering the growth and sustainability of black-owned businesses across the Commonwealth of Virginia, aims to be a powerful advocate for economic empowerment.
🚩 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION : CLICK HERE
In a strategic partnership with the Virginia Black Business Directory (VABBD), the VABCC will provide resources to connect small businesses with major corporations, expose these businesses to new markets, and promote leadership development and entrepreneurial excellence.
Currently, the VABBD boasts over 1200 members. Approximately 1000 of these memberships will automatically transfer to the Chamber of Commerce effective January 1, 2024. This partnership strengthens the VABCC's reach and solidifies the unity and collaborative spirit within Virginia's black business community.
Funding from partnerships, grants, and corporate sponsors will develop educational programming, create mentorship opportunities, and host networking events. These initiatives aim to provide an environment where black-owned businesses can thrive and contribute significantly to the local economy.
"The launch of the VABCC during National Black Business Month is a testament to our commitment to black-owned businesses in Virginia," said Ernisha Hall, President & CEO of the VABCC. "We believe that investing in these businesses strengthens the spirit of economic equity in Virginia, making it the best place to live, start a business, and raise a family."
About the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce
The Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting the sustainability of black-owned businesses throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. In partnership with the Virginia Black Business Directory, the VABCC provides resources to connect small businesses with major corporations, exposes small businesses to other markets, provides leadership development, and promotes entrepreneurial excellence.
The creation of the VABCC by the VABBD is pivotal for several reasons. It increases advocacy, visibility, and exposure, provides resources and opportunities, advocates for economic and social equities, bridges the gap between black-owned businesses, celebrates black entrepreneurship, and works towards closing the wealth gap.
In summary, the creation of the VABCC by the VABBD is a strategic move that will empower black-owned businesses, promote economic equity, and strengthen the overall business landscape in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The Roanoke Black Chamber of Commerce recently held a Roanoke Community Beautification Day:
COMING IN SEPTEMBER (CLICK THE FLYER TO REGISTER):
See you in September!
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