George Washington’s Favorite Slave. Male or Female?
June 3, 2013
Hosted by Sharon E. Davis
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Guest Information
Episode Description
Favorite slave. Seriously? That stinging reference aside, this was the only enslaved person George Washington freed upon his death, and gave an inheritance. The others were given, as property, to his wife. What would cause such an act of the 1st president of the United States? Our focus for this show is not centered around the mind or heart of President Washington. Much has been written over the years. We want to know who was William ‘Billy’ Lee, the human being, and his contributions to our Democracy. He is seen in famous paintings, and galloped with Washington during the Revolutionary War. Is it true that he saved George Washington’s life before he became president? Did Bill Lee have a ‘life well pleasing’ under the yoke of slavery? Our guest, Len Lamensdorf, award winning author, playwright, and lawyer, brings Mr. Billy Lee alive and in full color as no one else has done. Joseph J. Ellis, Pulitzer Prize winner and historian says of Len’s work: “one of the most poignant untold stories in American history.”
A Safe Place to Talk About Race
Archives Available on VoiceAmerica Variety Channel
Everyday, racial tensions grow. More people want a life free from hate and disparities in education, healthcare, criminal justice, etc., but don’t know how to sort it out or where to go. We bring experts and notables to engage with you on real life and living in this journey. Learn insights and information you can use to help relieve the pain, shame, anxiety, pressure, and hear some of the best thoughts and views available today. We create a safe and loving environment to help heal the human heart from racial conditioning. It starts with our belief in the Oneness of Humankind. We erroneously learned our way into racism, and we will intentionally learn our way out. We believe it! All races and cultures have work to do. Be one of millions that strive for a world where OUR Human Family can LIVE the Oneness of Humankind, and are free from racial conditioning.
Sharon E. Davis
Sharon is a founding member of the Institute for Healing of Racism in 1987. She has conducted International Dialogue Racism sessions in Mmabato, South Africa, and facilitated a Public Seminar on Cultural and Tribal Unity in Gabaronne, Botswana, and conflict resolution in China. She was interviewed by McNeil/Lehrer Newshour for the “Healing Racism in America” segment.
Sharon served as an International Institute and U.S Immigration Services speaker and MC at Swearing-in Ceremonies for new Americans, a regular TV panelist on “Interfaith Odyssey”, and Advisor and former Executive Director at the National Resource Center for Racial Healing which included being a Project Advisor – Diversity for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Saturn Titan Mission.
Whether Sharon is speaking to a boardroom full of executives or a group of seminar participants in South Africa, she applies her professional experiences and formal training to implement cultural change. Sharon has received numerous awards for her work in helping people unite including Spiritual Midwife of the Millennium Award for Cultural Diversity, one of six “Most Influential Black Women Entrepreneurs in Metro Detroit”, “Diversity Champion’s Honor Role” Birmingham Bloomfield Multiracial Community Council, the Houston, Texas Peace Award for Inter-group Understanding, and the TWIN award as one of 29 Outstanding Professional Women in Business and Industry. She has been quoted in several media publications.
