Leesburg Diversity Panel To Host Discussion Of '13th' Documentary

LEESBURG, VA — The Leesburg Diversity Commission plans to host an online discussion of the documentary "13th," a 2016 film made by director Ava DuVernay that examines the history of racial inequality and the mass incarceration of Black people in the United States. The online discussion is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 7 p.m.

Participants are invited to watch the movie on their own prior to the discussion, which will take place via WebEx. The movie is available to stream on Netflix or YouTube, courtesy of Netflix.

“Our goal with the event is to raise awareness of the challenges faced by Black Americans and other minorities while developing a sense of community among our residents,” Pamela Butler, chair of the Leesburg Diversity Commission, said Wednesday in a statement.

The discussion will be facilitated by Tanja Thompson, Susan Talbott, and Denisha Johnson Hamilton.

Tanja Thompson is the author of "What to Expect When You Didn’t Expect Breast Cancer," a TEDx speaker and long-time Loudoun community activist. Last year, she moderated the community forum on the proposed memorials to lynching victims in Loudoun County.

Susan Talbott is a counselor-in-training at Messiah University, working toward certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Talbott is the former admissions director for the Loudoun School of Advanced Studies, a private school in Ashburn.

Denisha Johnson Hamilton is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked in the mental health field in Loudoun County for 15 years, both in private practice and as an outpatient therapist for Loudoun County Mental Health. In 2016, Hamilton was named Loudoun’s Best Counselor for Kids.

Participation in the online discussion is free, but spaces are limited. Residents can register via Eventbrite. Once registered, participants will receive a link to join the discussion.