Tappahannock, VA – Get ready to vibe with history! Creative Medicine: Healing Through Words, LLC is excited to announce a groundbreaking screening of the documentary “Roots Recovered: Reclaiming our Names” on April 6, 2025, at 2:00 PM. This inspiring film, which first aired on 13 News in honor of Juneteenth, dives deep into the powerful journey of African Americans reconnecting with their ancestral names and reclaiming narratives that have long been overlooked.

The documentary features Essex County natives Ronnie Sidney, II—a descendant of Lewis Corbin, who escaped enslavement and joined the Union Navy—and Hannah Overton Tiffany, descendant of Edward Macon Ware. Their stories, intertwined with a rich family history from the Bellevue plantation era, remind us that every forgotten name has a tale worth telling.

“For African Americans whose ancestors endured the tragedy of slavery, researching ancestry is not just about tracing names; it’s reclaiming stolen narratives and piecing together a legacy that empowers the present and enriches the future,” said 13 News Now anchor and documentary producer Janet Roach.

Following the screening, the event will heat up with a dynamic round table discussion featuring panelists such as:

  • Bessida Cauthorne White – President, Middle Peninsula African American Genealogical and Historical Society
  • Hannah Overton Tiffany – Realtor and descendant of the Ware family
  • Janet Roach – 13News Now anchor and documentary producer
  • Jamie Segar – Co-owner, Segar’s Legacy Event Center and Restaurant; Descendant of Randall Segar, the legendary Civil War hero who saved the Bellevue plantation
  • Rev. Carole Harper – Former President, Essex County NAACP
  • Renate Yarborough Sanders – Genealogy educator and author

The panel will be moderated by Virginia Union Professor Dr. G.R. Quarles, with his daughterAlexandria Hunt Quarles leading a stirring reading of the Emancipation Proclamation and uniting us in “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Doors open at 1:30 PM at the Essex High School Auditorium, located at 833 High School Circle, Tappahannock, VA 22560. The event is free and open to the community, with vendor applications also being accepted.

Ronnie Sidney, II shared,
“It’s critical that we tell the forgotten stories of our ancestors because there are forces trying to erase our history. This event is a call to action to honor resilience, inspire self-discovery, and build a future where every story matters.”

Join us for an afternoon that bridges past and present, celebrates legacy, and inspires a forward-thinking journey of self-discovery. Let’s reclaim history together—because understanding where we come from is the first step in shaping an empowered tomorrow.

For more information or vendor inquiries, contact Ronnie Sidney, II at ronnie@creative-medicine.com.