The City of Alexandria continues its celebration of Black History Month with events and activities throughout February.
This week, we shine a spotlight on the remarkable life of Jim Lewis, a proud resident of Alexandria, who shares his experiences of growing up in the city’s Seminary neighborhood, navigating a segregated school system, and reminiscing about his days playing and coaching basketball at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels.
The story is made available through the Alexandria Oral History Center, a community-driven initiative dedicated to capturing and preserving the rich memories and stories of Alexandria
Black History Month Events
Duncan Book Group: "Crook Manifesto" by Colson Whitehead
When: Wednesday, February 21, 7-8 p.m.
Where: Virtual (Zoom)
Admission: Free
Description: It's 1971. Trash piles up on the streets, crime is at an all-time high, the city is careening towards bankruptcy, and a shooting war has broken out between the NYPD and the Black Liberation Army. Amidst this collective nervous breakdown furniture store owner and ex-fence Ray Carney tries to keep his head down and his business thriving. His days moving stolen goods around the city are over. It's strictly the straight-and-narrow for him — until he needs Jackson 5 tickets for his daughter May and he decides to hit up his old police contact Munson, fixer extraordinaire. But Munson has his own favors to ask of Carney and staying out of the game gets a lot more complicated — and deadly.
For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org.
Virtual Documentary Viewing: “Still Bill”
When: Wednesday, February 21, 7-9 p.m.
Where: Virtual (Zoom)
Admission: Free
Description: For African American History Month, enjoy a virtual screening of the documentary "Still Bill" about music legend and Hall of Famer Bill Withers. Please register with an email address to receive the screening link. Registration closes at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 20.
For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org.
Black Dance: Housing the Past and the Present
When: Thursday, February 22, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual (Zoom)
Admission: Free
Description: Join a virtual presentation exploring how colonialism brought an end to authentic African dance with Associate Professor of Dance at George Mason University Lawrence M. Jackson, who in 2011 co-authored and edited a special edition on Black dance in the Journal of Pan African Studies. In this presentation, he explains how Black dance keeps those African cultural traditions alive and is an affirmation of identity and independence.
For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org.
Alma Thomas Art
When: Friday, February 23, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Where: Beth Patridge Meeting Room in James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library (2501 Commonwealth Ave.)
Admission: Free
Description: Celebrate the close of Black History Month by creating your own art piece inspired by Alma Thomas. All materials will be provided. The event is for children ages 6 to 12 and teens.
For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org.
Community Scholars in the Parlor: A Local Black History Discussion Series
When: Saturday, February 24, 1-2 p.m.
Where: Local History/Special Collections (717 Queen St.)
Admission: Free
Description: Join local researchers in a discussion about Alexandrian Black History and its impact on the broader community.
For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org.
Finding the Family of Joseph McCoy
When: Sunday, February 25, 2 p.m.
Where: Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe St.)
Admission: Free
Description: Genealogist Char McCargo Bah lecture on "Finding the Family of Alexandria's Lynching Victim Joseph McCoy." Join the Black History Museum staff in learning how Ms. Bah, the official genealogist for the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project, discovered the family of the first of Alexandria’s lynching victims, Joseph McCoy, who was lynched in Alexandria on April 23, 1897. Learn the secrets to investigating a family tree that does not have many leads.
For reasonable disability accommodation, contact historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov.
Bright Star Theatre: George Washington Carver and Friends
When: Tuesday, February 27, 6-7 p.m.
Where: Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke St.)
Admission: Free
Description: Meet Black entrepreneurs and groundbreakers like George Washington Carver, Madame CJ Walker, Thurgood Marshall and more in this interactive theater performance. The event is for children grades K to 5.
For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org.
Virtual Lecture: Kidnapped into Slavery
When: Wednesday, February 28, 7 p.m.
Where: Virtual
Admission: Free
Description: Dr. Richard Bell is Professor of History at the University of Maryland and author of the book "Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and their Astonishing Odyssey Home," which was a finalist for the George Washington Prize and the Harriet Tubman Prize. Co-sponsored by the City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Historical Society. The lecture is free, but registration is required.
For reasonable disability accommodation, contact historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov.
Burke Book Club: “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison
When: Wednesday, February 28, 3:30-5 p.m.
Where: Virtual (Zoom)
Admission: Free
Description: In honor of Black History Month, join a virtual discussion put on by Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library on the 1952 classic novel, "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison. Registration is required. After registering, you will be emailed the link to join this Zoom meeting. If you have questions about the program or need help with setup, please contact Caroline at cpak@alexlibraryva.org.
For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org.
Meaningful Conversations about Racism – and What to Do About It: Welcoming the Stranger: An Interfaith Perspective on Immigration and Refugees
When: Thursday, February 29, 7-9 p.m.
Where: Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe St.)
Admission: Free
Description: Join us as we resume our meaningful conversations that explore and celebrate the diversity of cultures and peoples in our area, confront the attitudes and behaviors that still divide us, and seek remedies grounded in the recognition (as stated in the City’s ALL Alexandria Resolution) that we are one interconnected, interdependent human family.
For reasonable disability accommodation, contact historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov.
Exhibit: “Searching for Truth in the Garden” at Freedom House Museum
Gonzaga High School's groundbreaking research on slavery, "Searching for Truth in the Garden," found new life at the Freedom House Museum. The traveling exhibition, on view through April 15, delves into the life of Gabriel, a teenager enslaved at Washington Seminary (now Gonzaga) in 1829. Gabriel's story offers a poignant lens through which to examine the complexities of slavery and its lasting impact.
For reasonable disability accommodation, contact historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov.
For more information about Black History Month events in the City of Alexandria, visit alexandriava.gov/BlackHistoryMonth.
If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you, please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3960.