On August 20, 1619, 20 enslaved Africans arrived in Jamestown, Virginia. The 400-year journey that followed would change a nation and the world. 1619: The Journey of a People is a dynamic theatrical and lecture experience featuring playwright, professor, and performer Ted Williams III.

This one-man show packs generations of history into an abridged performance. 1619: The Journey of a People commemorates the struggles, recognizes the heroes, and critically analyzes the American journey towards freedom and equality. From the beginning of American slavery to the Reconstruction, the Great Migration, the Civil Rights Era, and modern movements for justice, Williams uses history to explain America’s current reality.

This program is sponsored in part by Illinois Humanities. It is held in partnership with the DeKalb County History Center.

Please click here to register for this event.

For additional information, please contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701.