Celebrate Black History Month in Alexandria

Page updated on September 19, 2024 at 1:24 PM
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The City of Alexandria invites you to join in on the celebration of Black History Month with special events and activities throughout February. Black History Month is an annual recognition and celebration of the history, culture, achievements and contributions of African Americans and persons of African descent in U.S. history. View full details below. 

Throughout February 2023: 

  • Visit Freedom House Museum (1315 Duke St.) honors the lives and experiences of the enslaved and free Black people who lived in and were trafficked through Alexandria. Purchase timed entries in advance.  
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Poster Exhibition at Vola Lawson Lobby in Alexandria City Hall (301 King St.) 

Saturday, February 4 

  • 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. African American Heritage Trail Launch. This event is sold out, but you can follow the route here. 
  • 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. National Black HIV/AIDS Day Symposium at Oakland Baptist Church (3408 King St.) Please join the Alexandria Health Department to learn about HIV/AIDS among Black Americans and how to stop the spread of HIV in the community. Register here.  

Saturday, February 11  

  • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Story Time for Young Historians at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke St.) Learn about African American history and icons with stories and activities to inspire young, curious minds. Appropriate for ages 5-8. Masks are required. More information here. 
  • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. History of African Americans at Arlington National Cemetery at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library, Second Floor (717 Queen St.) Learn about the connection of African Americans to Arlington National Cemetery from National Park Service Supervisory Ranger Kenya Finley-Jean, of the Civil War Defenses of Washington Division.  Register here. 

Monday, February 13  

  • 7:00 p.m. Lecture: Exposing the Alexandria Slave Pen at Freedom House Museum (1315 Duke St.)  Join City of Alexandria Archaeologist Dr. Benjamin Skolnik, as he explores the visual history of 1315 Duke Street. Register here.  

Thursday, February 16 

  • 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Lecture and Short Film - The African American History of Fort Reno Park at Alexandria’s History Museum at The Lyceum (201 S Washington St.) At Fort Reno Park, near Tenleytown, an important chapter in the history of Washington’s D.C.’s Black community is barely visible to the modern-day visitor. Fort Reno was a bustling neighborhood in which men, women, and children lived, died, loved, worked, worshipped, and played. Register here.  

Saturday, February 18 

  • 2:00 p.m. Concert: Washington Revels Jubilee Voices 2023 at Alexandria’s History Museum at The Lyceum (201 S Washington St.)  The Washington Revels Jubilee Voices ensemble is committed to the preservation of African American history and traditions – presenting songs and stories of struggle and perseverance, trials, and triumphs, as expressed through a cappella music, drama, and dance. Register here.  

Tuesday, February 21  

  • 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Virtual Event: African Americans and Clara Barton. Join Kevin Patti from National Park Service to learn about Clara Barton’s work with African Americans during the Civil War and with the American Red Cross. Register here.  

Wednesday, February 22 

  • 4:30 –  5:30 p.m. Black History Month Buttons at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke St.) Celebrate Black History Month by making a button with one of our designs or create your own! Program open to teens and adults. More information here.  

Thursday, February 23  

  • 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Black History Cooking Demonstration at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke St.) The Creator and Chef of Black Folk Food will prepare a handful of dishes, teach us a brief history to show us what makes the cuisine so amazing! Yum! More information here. 

Sunday, February 26  

  • 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Black History Live with Culture Queen at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke St.) Original and interactive music, movement, and storytelling to show your royal children how to celebrate the Kings and Queens of African American History. More information here.