By Leah Hobbs

The Hippodrome Theater in Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward was buzzing Saturday evening as 400 people of all ages and races — from young adult hipsters to older city dwellers — mingled with drinks in hand while a DJ rocked the turntables.

They were there for “Secret Stories of Self-Determined Change,” a sold-out event organized by UnMonumental in collaboration with Untold RVA and Secretly Y’all.

The UnMonumental series, by public radio producer Kelley Libby, features weekly stories of the lives of people in Richmond. It airs on WVTF/Radio IQ, 92.5 FM online.

Saturday’s event was a culmination to celebrate the series as a way for Richmond to remember its past and come together as a community to make the city better.

In light of recent events with the deaths of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, La., and Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minn., as well as the five officers in Dallas, Ms. Libby addressed the crowd saying, “Community can be self-care.”

Ms. Libby’s desire is for people to realize that there is more to Richmond than what’s at the surface. There is a rich history that will help better develop our future once we understand it.

When affluent people think of Richmond, they refer to breweries, restaurants and the James River, Ms. Libby said. But there is much more to the city, such as Jackson Ward, which once was known as the Harlem of the South.

“There’s a need for safe schools,” she said. “There’s a need to understand how neighborhoods have developed over time that create obstacles to different resources. We must have a voice and an attitude to improve the community. We must have self-determination.”

The program began with an introduction by Ron Stallings, owner and president of Walker Row Partnership. Mr. Stallings spearheaded efforts to renovate the Hippodrome Theater and revitalize Jackson Ward.

“These buildings are the mirrored monuments to the people and lives that came before it,” he told the crowd. “If you preserve the buildings, you’re able to tell the story.”

Free Egunfemi, founder of Untold RVA, then invited the audience to honor those who have lost their lives with a round of applause. The sound of hands clapping echoed throughout the theater, as the crowd chanted “No” for the wrongs that have been done and “Yes” for the change they want to see.

After the program, Ms. Egunfemi explained that her purpose in participating was to promote the idea of self-determination, or the Swahili term, kujichagulia. One of her main focuses is the 11:11 Portal Project, which sets up portals in significant areas around the city to honor the achievements of African-Americans who often are forgotten. Through tactical urbanism, she has taken it upon herself to do something about some of the problems she sees in the city, such as preservation and beautification of the African Burial Ground in Shockoe Bottom.

“The city has a lot of people in our history who have done things that were unpopular or not respected. The goal is to encourage people in the city, that we can celebrate what you’re doing today,” she said. “Realize that you’re the ancestors of tomorrow and how you live will inspire others. We have the power to change things collectively if we share our stories,” she said.

Storytellers shared portions of their lives as the program’s main feature. The passion each displayed moved the audience to respond affirmatively to the ideas they presented.

Nathan Burrell, superintendent of the James River Parks System, shared his story about his work. He described the history of Richmond’s river, detailing how it was used in the slave trade. Slaves were transported along the James River and brought to Lumpkin’s Jail, a slave holding pen owned by Robert Lumpkin. Lumpkin married and had children with a former slave, Mary, who eventually turned the jail into a schoolhouse. Today, that school is known as Virginia Union University, which produced the nation’s first African-American governor, L. Douglas Wilder.

“The healing process of what’s taken place here in Richmond mirrors what’s taking place in our nation. We’ve gone from the slave house to the White House,” Mr. Burrell said.

Dr. Sharon Gaunt, who is white, and the Rev. Paige Chargois, who is African-American, told the final story of the evening.

The women met when Dr. Gaunt needed a ride to the bank. During the drive, they began discussing their family history. Dr. Gaunt’s family owned slaves, but something she told Dr. Chargois really touched her. She said, “When I die, I don’t want to be buried with my family. I don’t want to be buried with the slaves. I want to be buried in between my family and the slaves.” It is a powerful symbol of racial reconciliation, as the last thing Dr. Gaunt will do is to serve as a bridge in her death, connecting her family with the slaves.

Dr. Gaunt’s family crest is tattooed on her leg. It contains a Latin phrase that means while I breathe, I hope.

Dr. Chargois encouraged the audience to believe in that motto. “Turn that breath to action and change,” she said.

Audience members left with a greater understanding of each other. Enjoli Moon, founder of the Afrikana Independent Film Festival, said, “This event helps us to understand each other on a different level as humans and have common ground. When you can get a diverse group of people in the same room who are open-minded, you can find the common thread of humanity.”

The funds raised from Saturday’s event will be used for the beautification of the African Burial Grounds at 15th and Broad streets. There will be an unveiling of current beautification efforts 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 27.