Hampton University to Host A Dialogue with New York Times Investigative Reporter and Creator of the ‘1619 Project’- Nikole Hannah-Jones

HAMPTON, Va. (October 21, 2019) — The Hampton University Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications welcomes New York Times investigative reporter and creator of the landmark ‘1619 Project’ – Nikole Hannah-Jones to campus to discuss the major initiative which observes the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery, November 6, at 7 p.m. in the Scripps Howard Auditorium.

The ‘1619 Project’ commemorates the 400th year of slavery in the English colonies by reframing the history through a modern African American lens with keen reporting, observation and writing by some of America’s best journalists.

“I’m sure our students will gain meaningful insights into the historical significance of our ancestors’ first steps onto the shores of Virginia 400 years ago,” said Dr. William R. Harvey, Hampton University President. “What I truly believe will make Ms. Hannah- Jones’ words even that much more impactful, is the fact the first Africans arrived just a mere three miles from our historic campus.”

Nikole Hannah-Jones is a domestic correspondent for The New York Times Magazine focusing on racial injustice. She has written on federal failures to enforce the Fair Housing Act, the resegregation of American schools and policing in America. Her extensive reporting in both print and radio on the ways segregation in housing and schools is maintained through official action and policy has earned the National Magazine Award, a Peabody and a Polk Award.

“We are excited to host The New York Times and Ms. Jones in the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications. We hope the students will enjoy and learn from this exciting look into one of the most impassioned journalistic endeavors in recent memory,” said B. Da’Vida Plummer, Dean of the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications.

The discussion will be moderated by Scripps Howard student and Rhoden Fellow, Randall Williams and will feature an introduction by Marisa Porto, former publisher of The Daily Press Media Group and current Executive in Residence at Hampton University.

By: Hampton University