Former Lynchburg Editor Uncovers 172 Neighbors' Journey to Liberia

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Longtime News & Advance editor Joe Stinnett has written a new book that uncovers how hundreds of African Americans from Lynchburg and nearby counties used the colonization movement to pursue autonomy, despite racist efforts to push them out. Stinnett's research chronicles the journeys of 172 former slaves who left Lynchburg to settle in Liberia in the 19th century.

Why it matters

This story sheds light on an important but often overlooked chapter of Lynchburg's history, highlighting how local African Americans sought to craft their own destiny through the colonization movement despite facing significant racial discrimination. Stinnett's book provides valuable insights into the motivations and experiences of these early Liberian settlers, offering a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics of race, freedom, and self-determination in the post-Civil War South.

The details

Stinnett's book, titled "Forging Their Own Destiny," chronicles the stories of 172 African Americans from Lynchburg and surrounding counties who left the United States in the 19th century to establish new lives in the West African nation of Liberia. The colonization movement, which aimed to relocate freed slaves to Africa, was supported by some white Virginians as a way to remove the Black population, but many African Americans saw it as an opportunity to pursue autonomy and self-governance.

• Stinnett's book will be launched at an event at the Lynchburg Museum and Visitor Center on Sunday, April 14, 2026.
• The book's research uncovers the journeys of 172 former slaves who left Lynchburg for Liberia in the 19th century.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Lynchburg readers can hear Stinnett discuss his new book at the launch event on Sunday, April 14, 2026 at the Lynchburg Museum and Visitor Center.