Annual “It Begins with Each of Us: Fostering Racial Understanding” Forum on Feb. 7 Will Explore African American Contributions to the United States Throughout its 250-Year History

Hosted by the Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust and the Museum of the American Revolution, Ninth-Annual Forum to Feature Panelists From Made By Us and the National Trust for Historic Preservation's African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund 

Using the nation’s 250th anniversary as an opportunity for both remembering the past and preparing for the future, the Museum of the American Revolution and the Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust (DFCLT) invite guests to explore examples of African American contributions to the nation through the lens of the historic sites that preserve these stories, as well as the organizations working to engage the next generation in their power and importance. 

With a shared commitment to presenting a more inclusive—and thus a more accurate—telling of our nation’s history, the Museum and DFCLT will host the ninth annual forum, “It Begins with Each of Us: Fostering Racial Understanding,” a candid conversation about race in our nation’s history at the Museum on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, from 1–3:30 p.m. 

Featured panelists include Lawana Holland-Moore, Director of Grantee Impact and Engagement for the National Trust for Historic Preservation's African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, and Alex Edgar, Co-Founder of Youth250 and the Youth Engagement Manager at Made By Us, who at just 22 years old, is the youngest-ever panelist in the forum’s history. The conversation will be moderated by Adrienne G. Whaley, Director of Education and Community Engagement at the Museum of the American Revolution. 

The theme of this year's forum is “America’s 250th: Still on the Journey” and will use the Museum’s current special exhibition, The Declaration’s Journey, presented by Griffin Catalyst, to showcase how the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence creates an important opportunity for all Americans to both remember the past and prepare for the future. Panelists will discuss how preserving historic sites that expand our view of the American story, as well as making research-based resources available that meet young people – especially Generation Z – where they are, can both be impactful ways to ensure that our nation’s founding ideals continue to be contemplated, challenged, and upheld, as they have since they were first written. Admission is free, but registration is required.  

The annual event is named in honor of Lonaé A. Moore (1997-2018), an eighth-generation direct descendant of the Dennis family and Delaware State University student who passed away in 2018. The forum takes place as part of the Museum’s Black History Month celebration in February.  

“At this moment in our country’s history, I can think of nothing more important than bringing people together,” said M. Denise Dennis, Founder, Chairwoman, and CEO of the Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust. “Just as the Declaration united nascent Americans in the 18th century, ‘we the people’ must come together today in mutual understanding and respect across racial, religious, generational, and cultural lines. This year’s forum will reflect on the progress the American experiment in democracy has made over the past 250 years and discuss what must be done to sustain democracy for future generations.”  

The forum is free to attend, but registration is required. To register, please email [email protected] or click here. Admission to the Museum’s galleries is included with event registration. 

About Lawana Holland-Moore 

Lawana Holland-Moore is the Director of Grantee Impact and Engagement for the National Trust for Historic Preservation's African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a multiyear, multimillion-dollar initiative dedicated to identifying, elevating, and supporting the voices, stories, and places of African American activism, achievement, and community.   

A National Trust Mildred Colodny Scholar, Holland-Moore holds a BA in Journalism and History from The George Washington University and a MA in Historic Preservation from Goucher College, where she wrote her thesis on “Ethnic Minority Heritage Values and U.S. Historic Preservation Significance Policy” and was named their 2023 MAHP Distinguished Alumna. Holland-Moore was a Researcher at the White House Historical Association and acted as a liaison for Decatur House. Holland-Moore worked for the Greenbelt Museum and Historic House in Greenbelt, Maryland as their membership and social media manager. A DC native, Holland-Moore is a member of the Landmarks Committee of the DC Preservation League and currently serves as a gubernatorial appointee to the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. She loves to talk to the public about preservation, African American history, and marginalized cultural groups.   

About Alex Edgar 

Alex Edgar is a Gen Z civic leader reimagining how organizations share power across generations, building the trust, structures, and skills that allow every generation to lead together. He is the Co-Founder of Youth250, a national initiative elevating youth leadership and voice in the lead-up to America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, and the Youth Engagement Manager at Made By Us, a coalition of over 500 cultural institutions using history to inform and inspire Gen Z civic participation. A sought-after advisor and speaker, he has helped shape youth engagement strategies for the Allstate Foundation, Jobs for the Future, and other impact-driven organizations. He is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, recipient of the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award from the National Association of Secretaries of State, serves on the Board of Directors at Points of Light, and was the youngest appointee in Department of Commerce history through his service on the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2030 Advisory Committee.  

About Adrienne G. Whaley 

Adrienne G. Whaley is an educator and history-lover who currently serves as Director of Education and Community Engagement at the Museum of the American Revolution. Adrienne earned her bachelor's degree in African American Studies from Harvard University and her master's degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania. She has worked in both art and history museums, including the Museum of Modern Art (New York), the African American Museum in Philadelphia, and the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum, and loves the potential for objects, artifacts, and primary source documents to enrich student learning experiences. She carries her love of history and for uncovering the stories of common people into her spare time as an avid genealogist researching her own family history and as former Programming Chair and President of Philadelphia's African American Genealogy Group. As a museum educator and genealogist, she has presented on television and in workshops and conferences locally and nationally. 

About The Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust 

The Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, was created to preserve a rare and beautiful historic, cultural, and educational resource in the Endless Mountains of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. The 153-acre farm was founded by the Dennis family’s ancestors, free African Americans who came to Pennsylvania from Connecticut in 1793 and purchased land and has remained in the stewardship of the same family since then. The purpose of the Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust is to continue to develop the Dennis Farm as an education and cultural site for scholars, researchers, educators, cultural heritage tourists, school groups, and others interested in this extraordinary history. For more information, visit thedennisfarm.org 

About Museum of the American Revolution 

The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.