Panel Discussion: RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company and Its Legacy in Winston-Salem

Join us for a conversation exploring the history and lasting influence of the RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company.

Moderator, Betsy Main Babcock Deputy Director, Phil Archer will be joined by three panelists- former R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company employee and author Gene Hoots, Winston-Salem councilwoman Annette Scippio, and Executive Director of Triad Cultural Arts Abrea Armstrong. Each will share their unique perspectives on how the company shaped the city’s economy, labor history, community identity, and cultural landscape, and reflect on both the opportunities and challenges brought by the tobacco industry.