Alexandria Community Remembrance Project: Committee Meetings

This city-wide social justice initiative is inspired by the Equal Justice Initiative and the work of Bryan Stevenson to tell the truth of and acknowledge our shared history. Alexandria is committed to better understanding our past and its impact on our Black residents in our effort to create a more equitable and just community.
Page updated on November 1, 2024 at 5:41 PM
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Alexandria Community Remembrance Project: Committee Meetings

The Alexandria Community Remembrance Project is a city-wide initiative led by a volunteer steering committee. There are multiple committees underneath and all participants are volunteers who give their time and share their talents with the wider Alexandria community. Some of the committees have been engaged since 2019, but others have become dormant and/or await activation at the point when the focus of their work is needed. ACRP welcomes new members and encourages participation in one or more of the committees. Meeting information can be found below. Feel free to contact: acrp@alexandriava.gov with any questions.

Group of African-Americans, marching near the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., to protest the lynching of four African-Americans in Georgia, 1946 (Library of Congress

Public Programs

These programs are sponsored by the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project. See upcoming programs, and view videos of past programs posted with permission from the speakers.

A wreath placed in memoriam in 2021, to Joseph McCoy who was lynched on April 23, 1897

The Alexandria Community Remembrance Project

The Alexandria Community Remembrance Project (ACRP) is a city-wide initiative dedicated to helping Alexandria understand its history of racial terror hate crimes and to work toward creating a welcoming community bound by equity and inclusion.

Committee Meetings

About the Committee Meetings

Check the calendar to see if the meeting is virtual or in person. The meeting registration link for virtual meetings and the location of in-person meetings are posted on the calendar.

See meeting dates, agendas and minutes, and watch videos of virtual meetings below.

Steering Committee

Steering Committee Members

  • Gretchen Bulova, Office of Historic Alexandria, Chair of the Fundraising Committee
  • Audrey Davis, Black History Museum
  • Rose Dawson, Alexandria Library, Co-chair of the Education Committee
  • Rev. Professor Quardricos Driskell, Pastor Beulah Baptist Church
  • Linda Howard Beulah Baptist Church, Chair Pilgrimage Committee
  • Darrlynn Franklin, NAACP
  • Michael Johnson, Community Outreach Alexandria, Co-chair of the Outreach Committee
  • Jean Kelleher, Office of Human Rights, Chair of the Marketing Committee
  • McArthur Myers, Living Legend, Co-chair of the Outreach Committee
  • Sarah Whelan, Social Studies Instructional Specialist at Alexandria City Public Schools
  • Kennetra Wood, Equity and Diversity at Alexandria City Public Schools
  • RaAlim Shabazz, History Teacher and sponsor of the Black Student Union at Alexandria City Public Schools
  • Shelton Smith, Northern VirginiaUrban League
  • Rabbi David Spinrad, Beth El Hebrew, Chair Soil and Marker Committee
  • Mark Farkas, Historic Alexandria Resources Commission

Meetings

2024 (Meetings are held at the Black History Museum at 5 p,m.)

2023

2022

2021

2020

Education and Programming

Provide educational and informational programming and resources for Alexandria’s youth and families about racial equity and social justice. 

2021

2020

Fundraising

Pursue funding for ACRP programs, trips, and activities. While committee meetings have been on hold during the pandemic, we continue to receive donations from generous members of the community. Funds are being used to support the ACRP public programs and create markers for the Joseph McCloy and Benjamin Thomas lynching sites. 

Donate to the project

  • Meetings Postponed

Marketing

Create and implement a comprehensive marketing plan to increase visibility of the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project.

2021

2019

  • October 28, 2019

Public Outreach

Through Community outreach and civic engagement, broaden the exposure and reach of the ACRP. A presentation is available for local organizations (via zoom!) who would like to learn more about the ACRP. For more information, contact us at ACRP@alexandriava.gov. 

Public Pilgrimage to EJI

Lead trips to EJI’s Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama.

2022

2021

2020

Remembrance Planning: Benjamin Thomas

Benjamin Thomas Lynching Remembrance planning Meetings

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

Remembrance Planning: Joseph McCoy

Joseph McCoy Lynching Remembrance Planning Meetings

2024 (Meetings are held in the Lloyd House at noon)

  • April 23, 2024  Remembrance Event at Penny Hill Cemetery, Payne Street
  • April 18, 2024  Agenda
  • April 5, 2024  Agenda, in person or on Zoom. (Note: Date changed from March 21)
  • February 15, 2024  Agenda, Meeting Notes
  • January 14, 2024  Meeting Notes

2022

2021

Research

Conduct research to establish facts pertaining to each lynching. Narratives of the lynchings of Joseph McCoy and Benjamin Thomas, researched and written by members of the Research Committee, were published on this website in 2020 as part of virtual commemorations.

  • Meetings Postponed

Schools & Libraries Action Committee (NEW in 2024)

Soil and Marker

Investigate proper procedures and requirements to obtain the historical markers and recommend a process for the soil collection. Organize public ceremonies. 

2023

2022

2021

2020