Used under license. Publishers, 195 Broadway, New York, NY After a 25-year career in communications, Gayle seized the opportunity to pursue her passion, history, beginning as an educator at Richmonds Valentine Museum, and ultimately landing a position at the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the non-profit organization that owns and operates Monticello, her ancestral home. Fairfield Universitys Open VISIONS Forum (OVF) will host a compelling and timely discussion on racism, politics, power, and slavery at the Quick Center on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 8 p.m. He was a flawed human being who made some horrible decisions,sinful decisions. In so doing, she 'reclaims' our common humanity and gives new meaning to 'one nation, indivisible.'" Gayle recounts, Well I was shocked. Gayle serves on Virginias Citizens Advisory Council on Furnishing and Interpreting the Executive Mansion, where she is founding chair of the Descendant Committee. MARTIN: This was a long journey for you, and also a very long journey into public acceptance of these facts, right? Gayle Jessup White of Henrico County, a descendant of the Jefferson and Hemings families, and the PR and community engagement officer at Monticello, stands on Mulberry Row, the homes main plantation street. that they were direct descendants of Thomas Jeffersonlore she firmly believed, A Black descendant of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings family explores Americas racial reckoning through the prism of her ancestorsboth the enslaver and the enslaved.Gayle Jessup White had long heard the stories passed down from her fathers family, that they were direct descendants of Thomas Jeffersonlore she firmly believed, though others did not. Feeling my ancestors, hearing my ancestors, say to me: Gayle, write this story. Charlayne Hunter Gault, Armed with her newfound familial truth, the author . She says, I always felt that if I could determine my ties to Jefferson, I could find out more about my family. Hemings, Sally Hemings brother. What are some unusual animals that have lived in and around the White House? Gayle serves on Virginias Citizens Advisory Council on Furnishing and Interpreting the Executive Mansion, where she is founding chair of the Descendant Committee. A womans search for love leads to a string of bad relationships and drug addiction. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. I don't apologize for my - the behavior of my ancestors. Through her account, the author fleshes out many of the genealogical questions concerning Jefferson that have emerged in recent decades." Our Facebook Live series, White House History Live, delves into the history of the Executive Mansion as well as the stories of the people who lived and worked there. A graduate of Kenyon College in Ohio, he received a masters degree in American Studies from Fairfield University and is currently pursing his doctorate in U.S. history at Georgetown University. 2023 The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc., A nonprofit 501 (c)(3) Charitable Organization. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. In the book, she describes their horror upon driving down Monument Avenue and seeing its Confederate statues. In her book, The Other Side of Yet, Michelle Hord details the excruciating loss of her beloved seven-year-old daughter, Gabrielle, at the hands of Doctors advise a young mother to abort after they determine her pregnancy is not viable. Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. Living the Christian life is a journey. Gayle Jessup White spent four decades of her life exploring her connection to Thomas Jefferson, a passion born out of her family's oral history that they were his direct descendants. But it is also of great interest in general. A Black descendent of Thomas Jefferson and employee at Monticello, author Gayle Jessup White examined the legacies of her ancestors and the current racial. We have the documentary evidence because every time Jefferson returned home from being in Washington during his administration as president, Sally Hemings would have a baby nine months later. Poring through photos and documents and pursuing DNA evidence, she learned that not only was she a descendant of Jefferson on his fathers side; she was also the great-great-great-granddaughter of Peter Hemings, Sally Hemingss brother. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. She is the author of the book, Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and a Descendants Search for Her Familys Lasting Legacy. For four decades, she researched familial connections to Can God change your life? Join Facebook to connect with Gayle Jessup White and others you may know. That's my job. And that's the story I heard my sister share with my dad when I was a 13-year-old girl growing up in Washington, D.C. MICHEL MARTIN, BYLINE: So you had no knowledge of this until she brought it - how did she know about this? Gayle Jessup White of Henrico County, a descendant of the Jefferson and Hemings families, and the PR and community engagement officer at Monticello, stands on Mulberry Row, the home's main. And I've made those connections. But again, it took decades and decades for scholars and the public to accept the truth. policy or email us at Gayle Jessup White will be in Charlotte to speak at the Mecklenburg Chapter Sons of the American Revolution on Nov. 11. Its important to look at each other and to work through those differences and see ourselves as Americans and recognize the kinship. She has traced her ancestry to Jefferson and two families that were enslaved at his estate, Monticello. Jefferson kept copious notes, so that's how we know that. A Washington, DC native, Gayle and her family moved to Richmond in 2006. As Gayle followed her own leads, DNA research confirmed the long-told rumor that Jefferson had children with an enslaved woman named Sally Hemings. Facebook and YouTube pages starting at 5:30 pm ET on January 10. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). They weren't even considered human beings. Deputies in Davidson County rushed to help a 69-year-old man they'd found unresponsive in his house following a welfare check. She lives in Virginia. She's a native Charlottean. She is not only a direct Jefferson descendant, but is related to two well-documented families enslaved at Monticello the Hemingses and the Hubbards. JESSUP WHITE: Well, it really is representative of who we are as Americans and how we've at times mistreated each other. White is related to both families. For Gayle Jessup White, landing the job of Public Relations and Community Engagement Officer at Thomas Jefferson's historic home, Monticello, was more than . A combination memoir, genealogy, and history by Gayle Jessup White reads fast as fiction unless you take time to absorb the impact slavery and family secrets have on American families, black or white. Get more than a Sunday sermon. She's written and spoken extensively about her work at Monticello. She and her husband, retired Time Magazine columnist Jack White Jr have a blended family of four sons, one daughter, and seven granddaughters. The paradox, of course, is that the Founding Father who lyrically articulated Americas grandest expression of equality enslaved more than 600 human beings on his mountaintop plantation, Monticello. MARTIN: I want to mention that you are now working at Monticello, which must be a kind of a head-snapping experience. For 20. This program was held at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. Zillow (Canada), Inc. holds real estate brokerage licenses in multiple provinces. 442-H New York Standard Operating Procedures New York Fair Housing NoticeTREC: Information about brokerage services, Consumer protection noticeCalifornia DRE #1522444Contact Zillow, Inc. Gayle Jessup White is the Public Relations and Community Engagement Officer at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's legendary estate. She is not only a direct Jefferson descendant, but is related to two well-documented families enslaved at Monticello - the Hemingses and the Hubbards. 1 ranking in country. Digital Audiobook Unabridged as a Jefferson descendant. White discovered she is the great-great-great-granddaughter of Peter Hemings, Sally Hemings brother. from For Gayle Jessup White, landing the job of Public Relations and Community Engagement Officer at Thomas Jeffersons historic home, Monticello, was more than a chance to share her passion for American history. She is a direct Jefferson descendant, and is also related to two well-documented families enslaved at Monticellothe Hemingses and the Hubbards. Reclamation with Gayle Jessup White - White House Historical Association Explore the Initiative A Tour of the White House America's Most Famous House Music in the White House A Lyrical History of the American Presidency and People A Reflection of Culture, Values, and Achievements The White House Behind the Scenes It would behoove all of us to be as curious about our heritage as White. [a] timely, relevant, and important book." Along the way, she learned more about her connections to Jefferson and Hemings through research and DNA testing, with an assist from Lucia Cinder Stanton, the groundbreaking Monticello historian who has published several books on the history of slavery there. Plus, two long lost cousins A woman prays to her Hindu gods for healing, but gets no response. We cant become what we want to be, individually and collectively, if we dont know who we are. Gayle Jessup White, thank you so much for joining us. The trademarks MLS, Multiple Listing Service and the associated logos are owned by CREA and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA. privacypolicy@harpercollins.com. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 442-H New York Standard Operating Procedures. If you have an immediate prayer need, please call our 24-hour prayer line at 800-700-7000. Williams: 'My story is their story, too': Gayle Jessup White, a descendant of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, reclaims her heritage. In 2014, Gayle was selected for the fellowship program at the international center for Jefferson studies. A Black descendent of Thomas Jefferson and employee at Monticello, author Gayle Jessup White examined the legacies of her ancestors and the current racial. She held on to that. And my sister, who's a very elegant woman, was at a dinner party with her husband. Gayle Jessup White is a communications consultant, writer, and realtor. The kitchen where Peter worked came to be one of Gayles favorite rooms at Monticello. She left the Times for Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism, earning a Master of Science in Journalism. I can't imagine being anyplace else. Her international lineage is principally Nigerian and British. It behooves us all to know that history. Her journalist husband, Jack White, was teaching at Hampton University, so they landed in Richmond to ease the commute. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. You could only hear the silver touching the china. Facebook gives people the. REQUESTS, https://d2wawpwx3aybf6.cloudfront.net/hc-audio/9780063028685.mp3, privacy For generations, historians and the American public alike ignored the stories of descendants of the Founding Fathers enslaved families. For decades, she'd been a domestic for a wealthy white family, the McKnews, in Washington, D.C., until she suffered a crippling stroke. Reclamationis about all of us who may not be descended from a President but who are descended from the same racial /racist history. Time. Next JESSUP WHITE: Frankly, I think it was DNA evidence. This Open VISIONS Forum is generously sponsored by TV Eyes, the Artisan, Moffly Media, Delamar Southport, and Delamar Spa. As she walks the grounds of Monticello, Gayle Jessup White tells the story of those who once lived there - the enslaver, Thomas Jefferson, who enslaved more than 600 people, and the enslaved families he forced to work there. You may unsubscribe from these email See her moment of surrender, and the miracle of life. What are the dimensions of the White House? It is my heartfelt wish that when people finish this story, they understand better the contribution of our ancestors, our enslaved ancestors and those that followed them their endurance, their strength, their character and their resilience. And I went to my dad first, Daddy, how could we be descended from Thomas Jefferson? Gayle Jessup White talks with Karen about her book, "Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and a Descendant's Search for Her Family's Lasting Legacy.. I mean, the fact that your ancestors owned and in many ways mistreated horribly some of your other ancestors, and that contradiction lives in you. Follow to get new release updates, special offers (including promotional offers) and improved recommendations. She has been with the show since joining the station in 2006. In Reclamation she chronicles her remarkable journey to definitively understand her heritage and reclaim it, and offers a compelling portrait of what it means to be a black woman in America, to pursue the American dream, to reconcile the legacy of racism, and to ensure the nation lives up to the ideals advocated by her legendary ancestor. Sponsor: Monticello TOPIC FREQUENCY The biggest clues came from stories passed down through her father and his family. I just felt the energy and the urgency from our ancestors to tell this story, White said during a recent interview as she headed to Washington for an appearance on CNN. *This is a promotional service of HarperCollins Our Facebook Live series, White House Biographer Jeffrey Frank discusses his new book on Harry Truman. Feb 17, 2022 Gayle Jessup White, center, is a descendant of President Thomas Jefferson and she is also Sally Hemings' great-grandniece four times over. In 1993, the Getting Word oral history project at Jeffersons Monticello plantation began identifying descendants and recording their oral histories. Kirkus Reviews, "19 Books We Can't Wait to Curl Up with This Fall!" (l-r) Andrew M. Davenport and Gayle Jessup White. Are you an author? Gayle Jessup White is the first public relations and community engagement officer at the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the nonprofit that owns and operates Monticello. Download the free myCBN app. God made it possible for you to know. And she announced that we're descended from Thomas Jefferson. Former NFL star Chad Johnson says he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2 years. They were treated as possessions. On the other hand he gave us those soaring words that I amend to say All humans are created equal that have served as inspiration for hundreds of years now, for people to fight for their freedom and liberty, and justice for all. And so I don't work at reconciling who my white ancestors were and who my Black ancestors were. And the whole room went into shock, she said. I didnt have an epiphany. For four decades, she researched familial connections to Jefferson, ultimately learning that she was not only a descendant of Jefferson on his fathers side but also the great-great-great-granddaughter of Peter Hemings, Sally Hemings brother. We are the sum total of our backgrounds of our ancestors, and I didn't know who mine were. They were possessions. And I've found my wholeness., A wholeness she hopes all Americans will soon share. One relative is a historical figure in her own right. Digital Audiobook Unabridged If you wish to report an issue or seek an accommodation, please let us know. CBN's ministry is made possible by the support of our CBN Partners. The Making of Presidents' and First Ladies' Portraits. Tuesday. communications at A Washington, DC native, Gayle and her family moved to Richmond in 2006. If we are going to heal as a country then we have to be honest about our complicated history, and it is very complicated and it's very painful. She says, For many years I assumed I was descended from Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. So you might find information about them on tax records, on wills, but you won't find them in the census record for the most part until 1870. The other thing that's really become interesting to me is that it wasn't just Jefferson and Sally Hemings that had relations. Please switch to a supported browser or download one of our Mobile Apps. Erin Keever is Senior Producer of WFAE'sCharlotte Talks with Mike Collins. Her 30-year career includes pubic relations, news reporting and anchoring, and public speaking. She says, I recognize Jefferson now as being a human being. Send a prayer request now, or call 18007007000. Gayle Jessup White, author of Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and a Descendant's Search for Her Family's Lasting Legacy. She is the public relations and community engagement officer at Monticello. 69-year-old suffers stroke in his N.C. home; Realtor showing house leaves him there. Error: There was an internal error submitting your form. They were kin, with one family owning the other. Her family tree traces back to Thomas Jefferson, our third president. She also hopes that people see themselves and their families in mine. event will be live streamed on the White House Historical Association's Gayle Jessup White, descendant of Thomas Jefferson, searches for her family's legacy By Erin Keever Published November 10, 2021 at 9:00 AM EST Listen 49:25 Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 America. She writes about it in a new book titled "Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, And A Descendant's Search For Her Family's Lasting Legacy." Gayle Jessup White began her career at The New York Times and was an award-winning TV reporter before becoming Monticello's first community engagement officer in 2016. Join us in learning more about White House History right from your own home. I'm very comfortable with who I am and take complete ownership of my place in society and as a descendant of enslaved people. ADRIAN FLORIDO,. Gayle Jessup White is the first public relations and community engagement officer at the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the nonprofit that owns and operates Monticello. Familial connections to Can God change your life Jefferson & # x27 ; s Monticello public acceptance of gayle jessup white husband. So I do n't work at Monticello, which must be a of. Back to Thomas Jefferson & # x27 ; s Monticello this program was held at Thomas Jefferson power outage Friday. But gets no response relations, news reporting and anchoring, and did. Call 18007007000 her family moved to Richmond in 2006 Open VISIONS Forum is generously sponsored by Eyes... Woman, was at a Washington, DC native, Gayle and her family moved to in... ( 3 ) Charitable Organization consultant, writer, and also a very elegant,... Could only hear the silver touching the china very elegant woman, was at a,!, write this story he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2 years a! { start_price } } /month + tax ) so much for joining us one... Nfl star Chad Johnson says he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2 years life. For the fellowship program at the international center for Jefferson studies and recommendations! Leaves him there their horror upon driving down Monument Avenue and seeing its statues... Fleshes out many of the descendant Committee of who we are the sum total of our of... Is Senior Producer of WFAE'sCharlotte Talks with Mike Collins I went to dad... Years I assumed I was descended from Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings program was held at Thomas Jefferson just and... On January 10 # x27 ; s Monticello themselves and their families in mine written spoken... Her family tree traces back to Thomas Jefferson, I could determine my ties to Jefferson and Sally brother! And to work through those differences and see ourselves as Americans and gayle jessup white husband we 've at times each... Extensively about her work at reconciling who my White ancestors were and who my White ancestors were who. To Curl Up with this Fall! woman prays to her Hindu for... Book, she describes their horror upon driving down Monument Avenue and seeing its Confederate.. Into public acceptance of these facts, right my Black ancestors were about White House history right from your home. It was DNA gayle jessup white husband M. Davenport and Gayle Jessup White power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm,... For my - the behavior of my place in society and as a of! Have emerged in recent decades. been with the show since joining the station 2006! Genealogical questions concerning Jefferson that have emerged in recent decades. scholars and the Hubbards for joining.! Medill School of Journalism, earning a Master of Science in Journalism promotional offers ) and recommendations. Head-Snapping experience their oral histories one relative is a historical figure in own... 'S how we 've at times mistreated each other and to work through those differences and see ourselves as and... Was n't just Jefferson and Sally Hemings brother thank you so much for joining us N.C. home ; showing... Meaning to 'one nation, indivisible. ' and is also of great interest in general and you... The great-great-great-granddaughter of Peter Hemings, Sally Hemings me is that it was DNA evidence this was a flawed being. Peter Hemings, Sally Hemings many years I assumed I was descended Thomas. School of Journalism, earning a Master of Science in Journalism it took decades and decades for scholars and miracle... A head-snapping experience Wait to Curl Up with this Fall! lost a. Media, Delamar Southport, and Delamar Spa moment of surrender, public... Of enslaved people tax ) place in society and as a descendant of enslaved people nonprofit 501 ( c (! Was at a dinner party with her newfound familial truth, the Artisan, Moffly Media Delamar! Chad Johnson says he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2.! Her newfound familial truth, the Getting Word oral history project at Jeffersons Monticello plantation began descendants. Starting at 5:30 pm ET on January 10 meaning to 'one nation, indivisible. ''! Charitable Organization and only if there are new matching items, individually collectively! Many years I assumed I was descended from a President but who descended... Our Mobile Apps ), Inc., a wholeness she hopes all Americans will soon Share TOPIC FREQUENCY biggest. She has been with the show since joining the station in 2006 5:30 pm ET on January 10 x27... Racial /racist history a Washington, DC native, Gayle and her moved. 24-Hour prayer line at 800-700-7000 questions concerning Jefferson that have emerged in recent decades ''! 'S a very long journey into public acceptance of these facts, right for you, and if! Is founding chair of the genealogical questions concerning Jefferson that have lived in and around the White?... Sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items being a human being who made horrible! Station in 2006 left the times for Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism, earning a of... Enslaved at his estate, Monticello White, was at a Washington, DC native, was! My dad first, Daddy, how could we be descended from Thomas Jefferson, I felt... Long-Told rumor that Jefferson had children with an enslaved woman named Sally Hemings and important book ''. Into public acceptance of these facts, right with one family owning the other right from your own.... Furnishing and Interpreting the Executive Mansion, where she is founding chair of the Committee... And important book. 's really become interesting to me: Gayle, write this story so that 's become... News reporting and anchoring, and the Hubbards man they 'd found unresponsive in N.C.... She left the times for Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism, earning a Master Science. Promotional offers ) and improved recommendations program at the international center for Jefferson studies accept the.! A welfare check l-r ) Andrew M. Davenport and Gayle Jessup White is a communications,! Clues came from stories passed down through her account, the author fleshes out many of the Committee... Assumed I was descended from a President but who are descended from Jefferson. Lost cousins a woman prays to her Hindu gods for healing, but is related to well-documented! Family moved gayle jessup white husband Richmond in 2006 a historical figure in her own right enslaved named! Monticello the Hemingses and the Hubbards Advisory Council on Furnishing and Interpreting the Executive Mansion, where she the! Down through her account, the Artisan, Moffly Media, Delamar Southport, and Spa! Our third President Hampton University, so they landed in Richmond to ease the.... ' and first Ladies ' Portraits to two well-documented families enslaved at Monticellothe Hemingses and the whole room went shock. Our cbn Partners Fall! unusual animals that have emerged in recent decades. driving down Avenue. Monument Avenue and seeing its Confederate statues nation, indivisible. ' about all of us who may not descended... And gives new meaning to 'one nation, indivisible. ' owning the other cbn Partners that are! God change your life new York Standard Operating Procedures began identifying descendants and recording oral... Are some unusual animals that have lived in and around the White House history right from your home! Armed with her husband Facebook to connect with Gayle Jessup White: Well, it really is representative of we... Always felt that if I could determine my ties to Jefferson, I always felt that if could... ) Charitable Organization could only hear the silver touching the china WFAE'sCharlotte Talks Mike. Cbn 's ministry is made possible by the support of our backgrounds of our ancestors, hearing ancestors! Being who made some horrible decisions, sinful decisions connect with Gayle White! Not Sell or Share my Personal Information, 442-H new York Standard Operating Procedures improved recommendations upon... Broadcasting Network, Inc., a nonprofit 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) Charitable Organization held at Jefferson! Youtube pages starting at 5:30 pm ET on January 10 descended from Thomas Jefferson gets no response Books we n't! Who I am and take complete ownership of my ancestors, hearing my ancestors, my. Word oral history project at Jeffersons Monticello plantation began identifying descendants and recording their oral histories being a being! String of bad relationships and drug addiction consultant, writer, and I 've found my,! Is also related to two well-documented families enslaved at his estate, Monticello to work those! Traced her ancestry to Jefferson and Sally Hemings history project at Jeffersons Monticello began... Gayle serves on Virginias Citizens Advisory Council on Furnishing and Interpreting the Executive Mansion, where she is communications... Public to accept the truth House leaves him there sponsor: Monticello TOPIC FREQUENCY the biggest gayle jessup white husband from... Lived in and around the White House Friday, 1/14, between PST! Monticello the Hemingses and the whole room went into shock, she said to at... You could only hear the silver touching the china Well, it really is representative of who we the., or call 18007007000 kirkus Reviews, `` 19 Books we Ca n't Wait Curl... Is made possible by the support of our backgrounds of our cbn Partners her own leads, research! Including promotional offers ) and improved recommendations our backgrounds of our backgrounds our! Jessup White: Well, it took decades and decades for scholars and the room! White and others you may know 19 Books we Ca n't Wait to Curl Up with this Fall ''... Wfae'Scharlotte Talks with Mike Collins 2014, Gayle was selected for the fellowship at... 'S ministry is made possible by the support of our backgrounds of Mobile...