Reviving a Family Legacy Through Land Reclamation
The Gasaway sisters—LaTisha Gasaway-Paul, Teresa Gasaway-Gleaton, and LaTrice Gasaway-Johnson—are reclaiming land that once belonged to their great-great-grandfather, William Dove. Dove, who had been enslaved, purchased 36 acres in what is now Potomac, Maryland for $210 in the late 1800s.
Over time, discriminatory practices and eminent domain stripped the family of the land. Today, the sisters are leading efforts to recover county-owned portions and restore their ancestor’s legacy. “We didn’t forget our history, and now we’re acting on it,” LaTisha says.
Building Economic Power Through Community Work
The Gasaway sisters operate the largest Black-owned childcare business in Montgomery County. They also organize the county’s largest Juneteenth festival, attracting thousands since 2021. Revenue from their businesses supports both community events and their land reclamation goals.
Teresa explains, “William Dove may have lost his land, but he gave us something more valuable. He showed us that ownership is power.” By reinvesting every dollar into the Scotland community, the sisters strengthen economic and social stability for local Black families.
Creating Homes and Preserving History
The sisters plan to build affordable housing on reclaimed land. Descendants of William Dove and other displaced families will receive first rights to the homes. LaTrice says, “I envision homes where children play on the same soil our ancestor tended. This won’t look like every other development. It will look like us.”
These efforts also preserve Scotland, a historic Black community in Montgomery County founded by formerly enslaved African Americans. Most of the county’s original Black communities have disappeared, making this restoration particularly significant.
Activism Through Celebration and Coalition Building
Juneteenth celebrations have become central to the sisters’ activism. LaTisha says, “When thousands gather to celebrate Juneteenth, we’re building power together. People learn history and show up for change.”
In 2024, a $1 million donation from the Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation boosted restoration efforts. The sisters also hosted the first Kinship Communities Dinner, uniting leaders from over ten historic Black communities. This coalition strengthens advocacy against displacement and erasure.
Restoring Generational Equity and Inspiring Change
Reclaiming William Dove’s land is about more than property—it is about generational equity and permanence. LaTrice emphasizes, “Knowledge without tangible ownership only takes you so far. Land ownership changes a family’s DNA.”
The sisters envision Scotland as a model for other historic Black communities, with childcare centers, community gardens, and a heritage center. LaTisha adds, “Our great-great-grandfather invested $210 in our future. We’re investing everything—our time, our resources, our very beings—to make sure his investment pays dividends for generations to come.”
