Tomorrow night, downtown will be abuzz with First Friday/holiday celebrations. One event that might be of interest is a documentary screening at the Main Richmond Public Library at 6:30 pm, The Promise Land: The Story of Pocahontas Island. It tells the true story of one of if not the oldest free African American communities in the United States, as well as the life of the Island’s caretaker, Mr. Richard Stewart.

Pocahontas Island is down in Petersburg. It’s an interesting, historic enclave, something that Oregon Hill knows about. And some people may not know that Oregon Hill has a bit of ‘free African American’ history as well.