Building Memory: Devon Henry & Marland Buckner on the Shockoe Institute and Richmond’s Untold StoryMarland Buckner on the Shockoe Institute and Richmond’s Untold Story

In one of the most impactful interviews to date on the subject, host Randy Wilson sits down with Devon Henry and Marland Buckner, the visionary leaders behind the Shockoe Institute—an $11 million cultural and historical venue now under construction near Main Street Station in Richmond, VA. Devon Henry, renowned for leading the removal of over 24 Confederate monuments across the South, and Marland Buckner, a veteran of the U.S. Senate, Microsoft, and national policy circles, share a timely and deeply personal conversation about reclaiming space, reshaping public memory, and building a new future rooted in truth. Together, they unpack: The symbolism of Shockoe Bottom as a former epicenter of the U.S. domestic slave trade How immersive storytelling will help future generations engage with hard history The challenges and responsibilities of leading a project that sits at the intersection of culture, history, equity, and legacy Their personal motivations, community vision, and hopes for how the Shockoe Institute will serve as both a gateway to Richmond’s past and a beacon for collective healing This episode isn’t just a look at a building project—it’s a front-row seat to history in the making.