Video library

From West Africa to enslavement in North Carolina to post-Civil War Tennessee, the McKissacks survived and then thrived in this country, founding a construction business which is now the leading Black design and construction firm, McKissack & McKissack. Hear from fifth generation family member and executive Cheryl McKissack Daniel, in dialogue with Brennan Gilbane Koch of Gilbane Building Company, about their family’s history. 

This multi award-winning work of history explores how Black New Englanders maintained a sense of belonging among their kin in the face of slavery.

Moderated by Kyera Singleton

Drawing from an archive of nearly five thousand letters and advertisements, Last Seen is the riveting story of formerly enslaved people who spent years searching for family members stolen away during slavery. Don’t miss Judith Giesberg’s illustrated presentation and discussion with Princeton historian Tera W. Hunter about this “heartbreaking, and essential” book (Jill Lepore), “a vital work of recovery” (Ilyon Woo).