Preserving Richmond’s History To Create A Better Future

Ana Edwards is a public historian with research interests in the history and significance of “Gabriel's Rebellion,” 18th century Black life in Virginia, how both informed the construction of the American nation, how these histories are articulated in public landscapes and why they resonate today. She holds a BA in visual arts and an MA in history. As co-founder of the social justice activist group, the Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality (2002), she helped establish the Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project (2004) which, in collaboration with other community organizations, contributed to the reclamation of Richmond's first municipal African Burial Ground. A Memorial Park in Shockoe Bottom, the 19th century “epicenter” of the US domestic slave trade and birth district of the city of Richmond—is now part of the city’s strategic development plan. Her advocacy work includes social justice and historic preservation advocacy for African American spaces, especially pre and post emancipation burial places—among them Shockoe Bottom African Burial Ground, Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground, East Marshall Street Well Project, East End and Evergreen cemeteries. Edwards was the recipient of the inaugural VCU History Department Alumni Achievement Award in 2021 for her contributions to public history and advocacy for social justice and the 2022 Engage for Change Community Educator Award from the UR Bonner Center for Civic Engagement.