Talbot Family Network will host a community screening and discussion of excerpts from the documentary film Descendant as part of its ongoing Conversations on Race series. The event will take place Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Eastern Shore Conservation Center, 114 S. Washington St., Easton. A light dinner and refreshments will be provided.
The February program, presented in partnership with ShoreRivers, will explore environmental justice by examining how environmental conditions, historical inequities, and access to decision-making power continue to shape health, opportunity, and belonging in communities.
Descendant tells the story of descendants of survivors of the Clotilda, the last known ship to carry enslaved Africans to the United States. The documentary follows members of the Africatown community in Alabama as they uncover their ancestors’ story, preserve cultural traditions, and confront environmental and economic challenges tied to industrial development in their community.
The film highlights themes of resilience, environmental stewardship, and the ongoing impact of systemic inequities.
“Film is a powerful way to engage people in conversations that might otherwise feel difficult to approach,” said Nancy Andrew, executive director of Talbot Family Network. “By watching and discussing Descendant together, we hope to create space for meaningful dialogue about how history, environment, and community well-being are connected, both nationally and here on the Mid-Shore.”
Following the screening, participants will engage in a facilitated discussion designed to encourage reflection and community dialogue.
ShoreRivers will provide local context by helping participants consider connections between the environmental justice issues highlighted in the documentary and challenges faced by communities on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
“Environmental justice is closely tied to who has a voice in decisions that affect land, water, and public health,” said ShoreRivers Senior Community Engagement Coordinator Maegan White. “This conversation offers an opportunity to connect a powerful national story to local experiences and to better understand the environmental challenges our Eastern Shore communities face.”
The event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required, and seating is limited. Registration is available at bit.ly/feb26convo.
The Conversations on Race series is held monthly from September through May, typically on the last Monday of each month. Each session is designed to stand alone while contributing to an ongoing community dialogue about race, equity, and inclusion. Partners for the 2025-26 series include Shore Lit, the Water’s Edge Museum, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and additional community organizations.
ShoreRivers works to protect Maryland’s Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement, with a vision of thriving rivers cherished by all Eastern Shore communities. More information is available at shorerivers.org.
Talbot Family Network serves as Talbot County’s Local Management Board, established by the state of Maryland to improve coordination of services for children and families. The organization identifies local priorities, directs resources, and promotes collaboration among agencies and community partners. More information is available at healthytalbot.org/about/talbot-family-network/.
One Response
If this is really about environmental justice, then stop pretending water testing alone equals justice. In Talbot County, land use is the justice issue. Ultra low rural densities, permanent easements, septic restrictions, and constant opposition to clustered housing and small scale commerce and industry determine who can live here and who gets priced out. Those policies do not fall evenly. They concentrate land, wealth, and access in fewer hands.
It is also fair to question why a state affiliated entity is partnering with private advocacy groups without confronting the role those groups play in shaping restrictive zoning and regulatory barriers. If conservation organizations want credibility on equity, they need to answer for how their agenda affects housing access, property rights, and economic opportunity. Environmental protection does not excuse economic exclusion.