WILLIAMSBURG — The Williamsburg City Council unanimously voted to approve the narrative for the African American Heritage Trail (AAHT) on Thursday, Dec. 12.
Council’s approval comes after years of community collaboration, led by the voices and perspectives of the Williamsburg community, the city said.
“This is a Council that embraces telling the whole story of Williamsburg, a story that has long been incomplete,” Mayor Douglas G. Pons said. “Where we stand today reflects a deep commitment to acknowledging our shared past and creating a foundation for a fuller, more inclusive future.”
Earlier this year, the AAHT Advisory Committee selected JMI, a marketing and communications firm, to develop the narrative for the trail. JMI collected more than 50 personal stories from Williamsburg residents through the platform Share More Stories, facilitated community conversations, and connected with local historians and researchers to develop the narrative.
“Through these stories, we’ve created not just a trail, but a deeper narrative, one that fills in the gaps of history and shapes a more complete understanding of Williamsburg’s role in the American story,” said James Warren, JMI’s vice president of brand strategy and founder of Share More Stories.
In working with JMI, the city and AAHT Advisory Committee aimed to develop an uplifting narrative for the trail that shares untold, under-told, underheard, and overlooked stories of people, places and events that are important to the African American community in and around the city, it said.
“Listening to the community, hearing hard truths, and creating a space where these truths could be embraced was a powerful, collective process,” AAHT Advisory Committee Member Janice Canaday said. “With the community and the expertise of JMI and Share More Stories, we’ve all built this narrative together.”
During the work session, all five city council members praised the work of JMI and the AAHT Advisory Committee and reiterated their support for the trail.
With the approval of the narrative, the Advisory Committee will now work with JMI to develop the trail’s signage.
The trail’s estimated total cost is $2.75 million.
Through federal and local funds, the city has secured approximately $875,000 for Phase 1, which includes the construction of the trailhead at Lafayette Street, a public restroom, and the first segment of the trail from Lafayette Street to Scotland Street.
Funding sources to complete the final phase are actively being sought, the city said.
More information can be found at williamsburgva.gov/heritagetrail.
