PORTSMOUTH – In honor of Juneteenth, the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, in partnership with 3S Artspace, presents a powerful evening of historical truth-telling and ancestral reclamation.“Erased Bloodlines: The Black Descendants of the ‘Founding Fathers’ and Those They Enslaved” will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth, NH.

This one-of-a-kind conversation brings together Black descendants of Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, alongside a descendant of the enslaved from New Hampshire’s Moffatt-Ladd House, for a dialogue that reframes the foundation of American democracy through the lens of racial legacy, resilience, and resistance.

Moderated by Dr. Anthony Poore, President & CEO of NH Center for Justice and Equity, the evening will explore what it means to claim–and confront–a heritage rooted in both power and oppression.

Featured presenters include: Shannon LaNier, a ninth-generation direct descendant of President Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, an enslaved woman of mixed race. Mr. LaNier is a journalist and television host who has been featured on Good Morning America, CNN, and The History Channel; Brendan Narcia, a public historian and researcher whose lineage traces back to President James Madison through an enslaved ancestor; and NH Native Laurel Yancey a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and descendant of individuals enslaved at Portsmouth’s Moffatt-Ladd House.

This conversation will be moderated by Dr. Anthony Poore, President and CEO of the New Hampshire Center for Justice and Equity. Dr. Poore brings decades of experience in public policy, community development, and storytelling to this conversation. His leadership continues to shape dialogues around race, power, and historical truth across New England and beyond.

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The Importance of Juneteenth

Juneteenth commemorates the end of chattel slavery in the United States, but its meaning continues to evolve. Erased Bloodlines underscores how descendants of the enslaved and the enslavers live with intertwined legacies–legacies that demand acknowledgment, justice, and healing.

“These stories are not simply about the past–they are blueprints for how we confront truth in the present,” said JerriAnne Boggis, Executive Director of BHTNH. “Juneteenth invites us to reckon with who we include in our national story and who we leave out.”

Registration is required and seating is limited. This event is free and open to the public with donations welcome. Full information and registration can be found at blackheritagetrailnh.org/juneteenth-celebration-2025/