In a unanimous vote on Friday, the Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors signed off on constructing a $3.6 million memorial to honor the lives of primarily African American people whose bodies were desecrated and discarded on campus over a century ago. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2027.
Stephen Davenport, VCU’s assistant vice president for social and economic development, said the remains will be reinterred respectfully inside the memorial, after having likely been stolen by medical staff for study in the 19th century.
He said the West African-inspired design elements are intended to “restore humanity and unity.” The memorial will be constructed between the Kontos Building and Egyptian Building, just steps away from where they were discarded…