Date: September 8, 2025
On Saturday, September 6, 2025, a significant event took place at the Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) campus as descendants of African Americans who worked at the Seminary and board members broke ground for the VTS Reparations Memorial. The warm and dry weather, albeit a tad humid, set a perfect backdrop for this historic moment, marking the construction of a memorial dedicated to honoring the invaluable contributions of African Americans whose labor and resilience shaped the seminary. It was a ceremony filled with reflection and commitment to recognizing the past while seeking reconciliation.
As the ceremony commenced, participants gathered in solidarity, emphasizing the importance of the occasion. Our director of reparations, Ms. Ebonee Davis, designed an extraordinary occasion, where the groundbreaking symbolizes not just the start of physical construction but also a deeper commitment to truth, justice, and healing within the VTS community.
The VTS Reparations Memorial will serve as a testament to resilience and remembrance for future generations. These human lives that have been ignored for centuries will now be honored. This ceremony invited the VTS community, neighbors, and friends to participate in shaping a narrative that honors the past and embraces a more equitable future.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary