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Rex Ellis is the former Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) at the Smithsonian Institution. Prior to this position, Dr. Ellis was the first African American Vice President for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, where he managed all programs and operations. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Masters in Fine Arts from Wayne State University, a Masters of Divinity from Virginia Union University, and an Ed.D from the College of William and Mary. He is the author of two books, Beneath the Blazing Sun: Stories from the African American Journey, and With a Banjo on My Knee, which chronicles the history of black banjo players from the time of slavery to the present. Dr. Ellis describes his youth and growing up in the Tidewater area of VA and his path to becoming a director at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, followed by the National Museum of African American History and Culture. He gives his insight into the importance of telling the story of the contributions of African Americans. Dr. Rex Ellis discusses the first educated Africans at William & Mary, menservants who accompanied their masters and later taught eachother the rudiments of education.

Eliza Fernandez is a recent graduate of William & Mary and an oral history intern with the CHiP 2024 summer internship. Eliza discusses her experience learning oral history methodology with the William & Mary Bray School Lab and how her experience at William & Mary has shaped her future. Eliza discusses her experiences attending Descendants Day at both James Monroe's Highland and Stratford Hall with members of the descendant community.