Happy weekend! This month’s local history podcast revisits the panel I moderated at the Lemon Project Symposium last month about changing the names of James Blair Middle School and Magruder Elementary, both of which are tied to the legacy of slavery.

The panel featured members of the Lassiter family from East Williamsburg, who are taking a stand to rename these schools to better reflect the values of equity and inclusiveness at the heart of our local education system.

I first met Mary Lassiter when I was reporting on a screening of the documentary “Voices of Integration” which tells the story of the first integrated graduating class in the Williamsburg-James City County School Division. Since then, we have been working to raise awareness about how James Blair and Confederate General John B. Magruder upheld institutionalized slavery.

Joining us on this episode are Mary’s brothers Carl and Curtis “Buck” Lassiter, who share their own insights about the history of segregation in the Historic Triangle area and the ongoing impact of these school names.

To support our campaign, please share this podcast and our previous episodes on James Blair and Magruder, and if you’d like to get involved in our organizing please join our Facebook group Rename James Blair Middle School and Magruder Elementary.

Note: The Lassiters did not attend Frederick Douglass Elementary but participated in summer recreational activities and other extracurriculars/events on site.