The story of America is the story of the struggle to expand human freedom.
EXPLORE RECENT SHOCKOE INSTITUTE PRESENTS
RELIGION, RACE, AND THE ENDURING IMPACT OF PROSLAVERY THOUGHT IN AMERICA
The Shockoe Institute hosted a powerful conversation with author Jerome E. Copulsky as we explored his new book American Heretics: Religious Adversaries to Liberal Order, a bold examination of prominent theologians who rejected the idea of a pluralistic, democratic America. A replay of the discussion is available now.
AN EVENING OF COOL FIRE
A one-night-only celebration and moving discussion, featuring live poetry from Robert Dortch’s new book Cool Fire, a powerful panel, and an unforgettable performance by Desiree Roots.
Shockoe Institute is more than a space—it’s a platform for truth-telling, artistic resistance, and collective imagining. Through Shockoe Institute Presents, we’re building a living archive: a series of multidisciplinary events that bring together artists, scholars, and activists to engage with the themes of our permanent exhibit. From Afro-Indigenous solidarity to the unsustainability of the empire and the power of creative resistance, each gathering is a space to learn, reflect, and act.
My vision is to capture these moments not only for the people in the room but for the future. These conversations deserve to resonate beyond Richmond, reminding us that history is not static, and neither is our work. This is about grounding ourselves in truth, amplifying community voices, and offering new ways forward.
Leyla McCalla
Founding Artistic Director