Featured Post from University of Mary Washington

Civil Rights Trail Reveals Series of Never-Before-Heard Stories

Sep 29, 2023

1 min


This past February, during Black History Month, the City of Fredericksburg – known for its pivotal role in the Civil War – unveiled a civil rights trail: “Freedom, a Work in Progress.”



Years in the making, the three-mile trail guides participants through the city’s post-Civil War history, including several stops on the UMW campus, tying together a saga of persecution and peril, power and promise. It chronicles court rulings and protests from the Jim Crow era to the Black Lives Matter movement, drawing together never-before-heard testimonies of the people and places that helped shape the civil rights narrative.


“I can’t even begin to describe to you what a fantastic day this is for … our Black community,”  Chris Williams, Assistant Director of the James Farmer Multicultural Center said during the February unveiling.


Featuring Virginia historical markers – the second of which is set to be unveiled during this year’s Juneteenth commemoration – the trail brings to public consciousness the struggle for everyday freedoms, justice and equality inherent with being a Black American.



If you are interested in learning more about Black History in Virginia - then let us help.


Chris Williams,  Assistant Director of the James Farmer Multicultural Center is available to speak with media. 


Simply email him at cwilli27@umw.edu or contact:


Lisa Chinn Marvashti, Media and Public Relations at University of Mary Washington

lchinn@umw.edu to arrange an interview today.

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from University of Mary Washington

1 min

Election Watch 2025: Farnsworth Breaks Down Virginia’s Political Landscape

With early voting setting new records and national politics reshaping local elections, Professor Stephen Farnsworth is helping journalists and voters make sense of the noise. As director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, Farnsworth continues to be a go-to expert across major outlets. In just the past few weeks, he’s been featured in: • NBC Washington • WAMU • Yahoo News • Richmond Times-Dispatch • DC News Now • Virginia Mercury Farnsworth has weighed in on everything from Kamala Harris’ rising prospects to the effects of Trump’s policies on rural Virginia. Whether he’s speaking to the League of Women Voters or breaking down the numbers for DC news outlets, Farnsworth brings clarity to the chaos. For journalists covering Virginia politics and U.S. elections, Farnsworth is a key source of insight. Click on the icon below to connect with: Stephen Farnsworth, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs; Director, Center for Leadership and Media Studies Expertise: Virginia politics, media and messaging, U.S. elections, disinformation.

1 min

From Johnny Carson to Campaign Debates – Farnsworth Brings Politics to the Public

Professor Stephen Farnsworth isn’t just analyzing politics, he’s shaping the conversation. Whether moderating congressional debates or exploring the political power of humor, he brings sharp insight and historical context to national audiences. As a professor of political science and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, Farnsworth recently moderated two high-profile congressional debates in Virginia’s 7th and 10th districts — both aired on C-SPAN (2024 7th District Debate; 2022 10th District Forum). He’s also delivered public lectures for UMW’s Great Lives series, using figures like Johnny Carson and Charlie Chaplin to trace the role of humor in shaping American political identity. Watch the full talks: Johnny Carson and Political Humor, and Charlie Chaplin. These public-facing programs reflect his broader mission: helping voters, students, and media audiences understand how politics works — and why it matters. Click the icon below to connect with: Stephen Farnsworth, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs; Director, Center for Leadership and Media Studies. Expertise: Political communication, presidential humor, Virginia elections, public engagement.

1 min

With Russia’s War in Ukraine, Aeroflot Faces Unfriendly Skies

As Russia’s resurgent global influence grows—from social media influencing to anti-Western alliances—Steven E. Harris’s expertise in modern Russian and European history has become increasingly sought-after. Harris provides expert analysis on Russia’s political economy during its war of aggression against Ukraine and how the country seeks to reshape geopolitics and achieve expansionist goals. Focusing on Russian aviation, Harris explains how Putin’s regime has adapted to Western sanctions and how Russia’s airlines and aerospace industry are evolving in an era of global economic nationalism. Below are two important pieces authored by Harris that were posted by the Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia at NYU. This blog post reflects on the historical significance of the sudden rupture in global aviation that took place after Russia invaded Ukraine, focusing on Russia and the US in particular.... Yesterday's post addressed the new cold war in the skies, which has divided the West from Russia as a consequence of Russia's aggression in Ukraine. Sanctions against Russia’s aviation sector... As the war between Russia and Ukraine stretches toward its third year - there are more and more angles and narratives to cover. And if you're a journalist looking to know more or have questions for a story - experts like Steven. E. Harris are here to help. He's available to speak with reporters - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.

View all posts
Powered by