Mount Vernon’s Shame

Speaking at the home of America’s First President along with the home so many of my African American ancestors. One of whom was Ona Judge who was pursued relentlessly by George and Martha Washington when she escaped from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when the Washington’s attempted to send her back to the Mount Vernon Plantation. This speaking engagement was in 2011 at a Unite States History Symposium. The book written by Erica Armstrong, Never Caught tells the remarkable story of the life of Ona Judge. It was featured on The Blackman’s Read Aloud Hour Project. Knowing our history from the very inception of this nation informs you not only of our ancestors struggles but our ancestors perseverance. My close friend Ray Shepard has completed a picture book telling Ona Judge’s story escaping from America’s First Family named Runaway.