Thank you for attending the unveiling and dedication of the Henrietta Lacks sculpture in Lacks Plaza. What a beautiful day to honor the global contributions of Mrs. Lacks and to remember the dignity and agency inherent in each of us. We remember our hidden histories to create a better community today.
Download the commemorative program thanking our donors.
Next: visit the Harrison Museum online to watch the Hidden in Plain Site videos.
These are stories to tell.
From its home at Center in the Square in Downtown Roanoke, the Harrison Museum of African American Culture specializes in telling stories of the African American experience. These stories surround us in Roanoke streets and neighborhoods every day, but some are forgotten and nearly erased from the landscape. It’s time to act before we lose them completely. In partnership with a team of city leaders, we’re reaching into Roanoke’s public spaces to engage and enlighten, remember difficult pasts and celebrate achievements.
Explore the videos through a variety of tools at the Harrison Museum’s Hidden in Plain Site Roanoke.
About Us
Our Goal
Under the leadership of the Harrison Museum and Roanoke city council member Trish White-Boyd, a seven-person committee coordinated a broad community effort to fund this public history project. Together, we’ll surface the hidden histories of the African American experience in Roanoke.
Initial projects include a partnership with Richmond-based Hidden in Plain Site (HiPS) that will gather and communicate virtual-reality based remembrances. We started with five “easy to overlook sites important to the African American experience.”
In addition to this structural framework for ongoing work, the committee raised funds for a memorial sculpture at the newly named Lacks Plaza.
A dignified sculpture will commemorate the ongoing and long unrecognized contributions of Roanoke native Henrietta Lacks, who unknowingly provided the world with the HeLa cell, fueling decades of life-saving and life changing research.
Join Us
Learn More
Unveiling of Henrietta Lacks Sculpture
Launch of Hidden in Plain Site
Concept for Henrietta Lacks statue in Roanoke is unveiled.
More stories from our campaign period
- Meet Bryce Cobbs, the Roanoke artist behind the Henrietta Lacks Scultpure Concept Drawing, WSLS, January 19, 2023
- Why both Roanoke and South Boston are unusual in planning to put up statues to Lacks.) Cardinal News,
- “There are few statues to Black women. Both Roanoke and South Boston aim to change that.” Cardinal News, Aug. 4, 2022
- “A Virtual Tour Uncovers the Hidden History of Black Disenfranchisement, “ CNET, June 22
- Af-Am history project launches with site tour,” Roanoke Tribune, April 21
- “Painful history of race will no longer be hidden,” Roanoke Times, April 18
- “Hidden in Plain Site cofounder introduces public art history project in Roanoke.” Roanoke Times, April 14
- “Editorial: Roanoke needs statue of Henrietta Lacks,” Roanoke Times, January 13
- “Fundraiser seeks $140,000 for Henrietta Lacks statue near Roanoke’s City Hall,” Roanoke Times, January 9
- “Push for Henrietta Lacks statue in Roanoke,“ WSLS, January 10
- Printable PDF of Roanoke Times editorial and article
- RVPF Supports Effort to Raise Funds for Henrietta Lacks Statue in Roanoke, VA
Check out these resources to learn more.
- Hidden in Plain Site
- The Untold Story of Henrietta Lacks by Ron Lacks
- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Film)
- Harrison Museum of African American Culture (Main Site)
Join Us
Donate
You can donate online to support work of the Harrison Museum of African American Culture with a credit card or PayPal account. Or, you easily make a donation by sending a check in support of the project.
- Make the check payable to Harrison Museum of African American Culture.
- Mention Henrietta Lacks /Hidden in Plain Site on the memo line
Harrison Museum of African American Culture
PO BOX 21054
Roanoke, VA 24018
See our list of donors here.
See the appreciation ad from The Roanoke Tribune
News & Events
Our Progress
THANK YOU!!! We’ve reached our fundraising goal!
Thank you to all 277 individuals, civic groups, and organizations, who contributed a total of $183,877.
Roanoke Hidden Histories 