After the Civil War, Black freedmen founded independent communities throughout Richmond—places where newly emancipated people built homes, schools, cemeteries, and lives of self-determination. In this program, archaeologist Tim Roberts of Black Star Cultural Resources explores the history of several of these settlements, including Bandy Lane, Ziontown, and Westwood. Some were later dismantled or absorbed by expanding city infrastructure and urban renewal projects; others managed to persist through strong local stewardship. Drawing on archaeological findings, historic maps, and oral history, Roberts traces these communities’ origins, transitions, and legacies. He will also share how descendant communities today can use preservation tools to safeguard their cultural assets and advocate more effectively for justice-driven investment and recognition.