Angela daSilva and Sylvia Sukop

Angela daSilva (A) says she considers herself a cultural preservationist and and has spent her life documenting Black history and culture in Missouri. A talks about how Missouri culture is Southern culture. A speaks about her play, the St. Louis Attitude, and the history of St. Louis.

A talks about her mentor in learning more about Chestnut Valley. She talks about the history of Black musicians in Chestnut Valley.

A describes how the popular dance the Cake Walk was a dance that came out of slavery.

A says she is motivated by the millions of enslaved people whose story is not told. A details learning about slavery through her grandmother, who was raised by her grandparents, who were enslaved. A says she asked her grandmother questions as much as she could.

A recalls growing up in rural Missouri.

A emphasizes that there is Black History in the Midwest and Missouri. She explains how she would encourage her students to learn about their history.

A describes how people would react when she approached former plantations asking about previous owners who were slave owners.

A explains more about how she gets her students to understand the importance of their unique history. A speaks about the acculturation of Black culture.

A gives examples of Africanism in African American culture.

A describes the Mary Meachum site, a site where nine enslaved people attempted to escape and why the site where it happened is a sacred site. A describes the edu-tainment she does on the site to honor its history and educate others.

A says her grandmother never wanted to forget about slavery and would tell her, "we survived".

A says she's worked at the same school district for twenty-two years. She describes how the questions students ask her about slavery have changed over time.