How Hope in the Cities Played A Critical Role in Richmond's National Slavery Museum

Rendering of the proposed Richmond National Slavery Museum by the SmithGroup.

News is traveling fast around the nation and world about the proposed Richmond National Slavery Museum in Virginia’s historic Shockoe Bottom district.

The museum is envisioned to span nine acres and will include 100,000 square feet of infrastructure as well as a memorial park and water gardens. On January 10th, 2022, City Council approved 1.3 million in funding towards the development of this heritage project.

Over the years, The SmithGroup, the architectural and engineering firm that completed the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture, has been working with the city of Richmond and a team of historical experts to manifest this vision that has been decades in the making. What is lesser known is how Hope in the Cities, Initiatives of Change USA’s flagship program, has played a critical role in the journey towards this museum coming to life.

“You must understand the journey that has been traveled. We honor the story when we know the history,” shares Rev. Sylvester “Tee” Turner. Now retired from Hope in the Cities, he will serve as Co-Founding Director of Richmond’s National Slavery Museum Foundation.

Rev. Turner continues, “This is a testament to being consistent about preserving the history of those that were enslaved. It’s a fulfillment of a responsibility that I have, our country and our city has, in bringing healing. It’s about us being consistent in doing the work of racial reconciliation. This work isn’t a quick fix, it’s a journey you have to stay on. The work is not complete until we get this museum up.”

Image of the museum by the SmithGroup.

Check out the story installation below and hear more from foundational members of Hope in the Cities and our community partners - including Rob Corcoran, Rev. Dr. Paige Lanier Chargois, Omilade Janine Bell, Rev. Ben Campbell and Dr. Ram Bhagat - about what Richmond’s National Slavery Museum coming to fruition means for them.