Story of African-descended settler who found success in colonial Virginia

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Throughout the U.S., events are being held to mark 400 years since the first Africans were enslaved in this country. Virginian Anthony Johnson was one of the first people descended from Africans who found freedom and wealth in colonial Virginia. We hear Johnson’s story from Arizona State University historian Calvin Schermerhorn. Schermerhorn is also the author of the book “Unrequited Toil: A History of United States Slavery.”

Calvin Schermerhorn, ASU Professor

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Fountain Hills with text reading: Food Festival Saturday, April 11, 2026, Fountain Hills, Arizona
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Join us for the We-Ko-Pa ‘Check, Please! Arizona’ Food Festival

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Stream ‘Downton Abbey’ with Arizona PBS Passport

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