Library of Virginia to host screening of documentary film ‘Uprooted’ featuring panel discussion with director

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Library of Virginia will hold a free screening of the documentary film "Uprooted" on Thursday, followed by a panel discussion with the film's director, Brandi Kellam, and guests.

"Uprooted" will be shown at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, at the Library of Virginia, followed by a panel discussion with Kellam and other guests.

According to the Library of Virginia, "Uprooted" follows a Black community's battle to hold onto their land as officials in Newport News used eminent domain to establish and expand Christopher Newport University.

Kellam grew up in the area and spent more than two years investigating the story, the Library said.

In addition to Kellam, the discussion panel will include Robert K. Nelson, director of the Digital Scholarship Lab at the University of Richmond, and LaToya Gray-Sparks, community outreach coordinator at the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. 

Additional participants include Norma G. Wells-Green, a descendant and former community member raised on land owned by her family since the late 19th century, and Dwayne Johnson, a community member whose parents, James and Barbara Johnson, are featured in the film and still own one of the five remaining homes in the former Black community.

The Library of Virginia said the screening and panel discussion event is part of the Library's programming related to the exhibition “House to Highway: Reclaiming a Community History,” which was on view through Feb. 28.

Virginia Humanities and the Mellon Foundation support the Library's exhibition-related programming.

The event is free to attend, but registration is required. The Library of Virginia said seating in the Lecture Hall is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited free parking is available underneath the Library at 800 East Broad Street.