Author to discuss the ‘Black Belt of Virginia’ this weekend
Join the Floyd Historical Society at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, at Jessie Peterman Memorial Library (321 W. Main St. in Floyd) to learn more about Black History in Virginia.
In celebration of Black History Month, and in partnership with The Floyd County Historical Society, community members are invited to a special presentation by author Jeffrey Bennett, who will uncover the powerful stories of Black Virginians that are often missing from traditional history books.
Bennett’s newest book, “The Black Belt of Virginia: Untold Stories of African American History,” was published on Jan. 13 by History Press. These stories reveal the strength, leadership, and resilience of Black Virginians whose contributions shaped the history we know today.
The talk will highlight hidden history, such as:
- More than 80 Black lawmakers who helped lead Virginia from 1865–1877
- A courageous Black woman who spied on Confederate President Jefferson Davis
- Over seventy lost Black communities that once thrived across the state
- A 135-year-old church and the families who protected their land for generations
Bennett's presentation is designed to challenge what you think you know about Virginia’s past — and inspire a deeper understanding of the people who shaped it — while bringing forgotten voices back to life through vivid research.
Join the Floyd Historical Society at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, at Jessie Peterman Memorial Library (321 W. Main St. in Floyd) to hear from Bennett and learn more about Black History in Virginia. Additional details can be found on the historical society's website at www.floydhistoricalsociety.org.