Lemon's Legacies Porch Talk on Blacks' Beach with Darlene Giles

Join us on October 28 at 5 pm for a Lemon's Legacies Porch Talk on Blacks' Beach with author Darlene Giles. In Blacks’ Beach, Darlene Black Giles uncovers the hidden legacy of her ancestors in Charles City County, Virginia people whose lives were shaped by slavery, segregation, resilience, and an unbreakable connection to the land they fought to preserve. Blending genealogy, oral history, historical research, and deeply personal memories, this remarkable narrative traces generations of African American families from colonial Virginia through the Civil War and beyond.
From the plantations of Weyanoke and Sherwood Forest to the shores of a tiny five-acre peninsula known as Blacks’ Beach, Giles pieces together the forgotten voices of those erased from official history. Through stories passed down by grandparents, rare historical records, and emotional reflections on race, identity, family, and faith, Blacks’ Beach becomes more than a memoir; it is a testimony to endurance, heritage, and the power of remembering. Rich with historical detail and heartfelt storytelling, this book will resonate with readers interested in African American history, genealogy, Southern history, slavery studies, family legacy, and cultural identity.
Darlene Giles is a descendant of enslaved people who lived on plantations along the lower James River in Virginia. She grew up during the Civil Rights movement and has researched her family genealogy for over four decades. Ms. Giles has a B.S. in Business Administration from Virginia State University and a Master's degree in Public Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. Elected County Treasurer in 1984, she became the first African American to serve as President of the Treasurers' Association of Virginia (1998-1999). She concluded her career as a Financial Manager with the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority.