Post by Sesha Joi Moon, PhD

So, last week sucked. On July 23, 2023, Sylvia B., PBS’ Chief Programming Executive, visited Jackson Ward, Richmond, VA to learn about me and my sister’s work with The JXN Project as part of the U.S. Semiquincentennial. And as proud Virginians, we immediately connected as fellow alumnae of Old Dominion University, members of Alfred Street Baptist Church, and sorors in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. — first meeting on the day before laying our beloved father to rest. Despite being pitched by 50 states, she chose Abraham Peyton Skipwith, James Lafayette, Harry Washington, and Elizabeth “Mum Bett” Freeman as the stories to tell for America250 — premiering our film during the 4th of July. Unfortunately, just two weeks after premiering VPM’s “Declarations: Black Americans and The Revolutionary War”, I am saddened to share that the public media landscape lost a giant with Dr. Bugg’s untimely passing over the weekend. Dr. Bugg made my dreams come true as “Declarations” was her final project, and now, she has joined the ancestors just two weeks later. In that same spirit, she was supposed to join our screening of the film at Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival, sponsored by Chris Crawford’s The Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams” — the universe has an uncanny way of bringing people into your life for reasons and seasons. This screening is now deeply, deeply personal for me and director, Stacey L. Holman — I always knew that “Declarations” was life and liberty work, but now, its legacy work. Dr. Bugg, I will miss you and may you rest well as you take your rightful place among the ancestors — ase. 💔 #pbs PBS Press Release: https://lnkd.in/ermsuFpf