1/31/17

Just a Few Black History Month Happenings in Richmond

January 31, 2017

  • 6:30 pm - The African American Heritage Association of Virginia will present an exhibition at Premier Bank, 320 N. First St., of works by artist-instructor Jack Johnson of Accomack County.

February 1, 2017

  • “Three Folk Musicians” by Romare Bearden, a newly acquired work of art that will go on display for the first time and will be paired with Bearden’s own words spoken by the Rev. Tyrone Nelson and Rep. Donald McEachin @ VMFA

February 2, 2017

  • 7:00 pm – “Ban Caribe” offers music, lectures, geneaology and performances starting with an evening of singing and music @ Meadowdale Library, 4301 Meadowdale Blvd., North Chesterfield

February 3, 2017

  • “Murry DePillars: Double Vision” - focuses on the dual roles of the artist and scholar who helped raise the profile of the School of the Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University. DePillars was dean of the school from 1976 until 1995. He died in 2008. The retrospective, will feature 37 paintings from 1964 through 2007. DePillars drew inspiration from ancestral Africa, enslavement in America, the civil rights movement and contemporary cultural traditions.
  • 5:00 pm – “New Art Exhibit: Obscura to Open at Elegba Folklore Society” @ Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center

February 4, 2017

  • 10:00 am – “Harriet Tubman – The Moses of Her People” play @ The Dominion Arts Center
  • 10:30 am - “Sukey: Life with Dolley Madison” portrayed by Charmaine Crowell-White @ Ettrick-Matoaca Library, 4501 River Road, South Chesterfield.
  • 1:00 pm - “Matinees with Miss Maggie focus: Sojourner Truth” @ The Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site

February 7, 2017

  • 7:00 pm - United Voices: Raising Awareness through Song & Word: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day @ The Black History Museum
  • 7:00 pm – “Beginning African-American Genealogy” Jody Raab, Richmond Family History Center, introduces techniques and resources to use in African-American genealogical research. Registration is required. @ Chester Library

February 9, 2017

  • 11:00 am – “Ethnic Notions” screening and discussion led by Dr. Christine Diggs @ John Tyler Community College
  • 6:30 pm – “From These Roots” – A Musical Tribute to African American Heritage @ The Black History Museum

February 10, 2017

  • 1:00 pm – “The Importance of the Black History Month” Spanish instructor Tia Javier will discuss obstacles of growing up as an Afro Latino in the Dominican Republic and French professor Ima Hicks will discuss the black influence and her experience traveling to France @ Wall Auditorium, Virginia Union University, 1500 Lombardy St. 
  • 7:00 pm – “The Exclusive Blacklist”, Wine from African-American Wineries, hors d’oeuvres and jazz @ The Black History Museum

February 11, 2017

  • 10:00 am - “A Master Class in Entrepreneurship with Miko Branch” The co-founder and CEO of Miss Jessie’s hair care products teaches a class in entrepreneurship @ Virginia Union University, 1500 Lombardy St.
  • 10:30 am – “Meet Dr. King” Children learn about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and may be inspired to use his example in their own schools and communities. This program is for children ages 4-10. Registration is required @ North Courthouse Road Library
  • 11:00 am - “The History of Iconic African-American Figures in Advertisement: Aunt Jemima, Uncle Bens and Rastus” Learn about these iconic figures from a collection of more than 30 collectables @ Henrico County Public Library, Varina Branch, 1875 New Market Road.
  • 11:00 am – “Lecture: A Rich History: First Baptist Church of Midlothian and the African-American Community” Speaker, Audrey Ross @ Chesterfield County Museum, 6813 Mimms Loop
  • 1:00 pm - “Matinees with Miss Maggie focus: Ida B. Wells” @ The Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
  • 2:00 pm – “Black History Heroes, Soldiers and Spies” Learn about spies during the Civil War, Buffalo Soldiers, Tuskegee Airmen. This program is for adults and children, ages 8 and older. Registration is required @ Meadowdale Library
  • 5:30 pm - “Colonial Williamsburg’s Inaugural REV Talk: Michael Twitty” Culinary historian and author Michael Twitty will share insights and answer audience questions @ Kimball Theater in Colonial Williamsburg’s Merchant Square. 
  • 7:00 pm - “African Dance, Music, and the Oral Tradition.” By the Elegba Folk Society @ 305 E. Nine Mile Road

February 13, 2017

  • 9:30 am - “New York African Burial Ground” Presentation by Allison Talibi, sociology adjunct instructor @ John Tyler Community College Midlothian Campus, 800 Charter Colony Pkwy., Hamel Hall, H109.
  • 7:00 pm – “Virginia Untold” A new digital collection at the Library of Virginia helps researchers learn about the lives of African-Americans dating back to the 17th century. Registration required @ Chester Library

February 15, 2017

  • 12:30 pm - “ ‘Jump in the Sun’ by Zora Neale Hurston” Presentation, discussion and film excerpts, with discussion led by Saajida Chohan, English instructor @ John Tyler Community College Chester Campus, 13101 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Bird Hall, B124.
  • 7:00 pm - “The Black LGBTQ Experience: Lecture and Dialogue with Dr. Ravi Perry” Dr. Perry will lead a discussion on the experience of black LGBTQ communities @ Black History Museum

February 16, 2017

  • 12:30 pm - “Richard Wright: ‘Black Boy’ documentary” Discussion led by Meredith Privott, English instructor @ John Tyler Community College Chester Campus, 13101 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Bird Hall, B124
  • 6:30 pm - “Artist Talk: LeRoy Henderson” @ Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard. $8; VMFA members, $5. 
  • 7:00 pm - “Sukey: Life with Dolley Madison” portrayed by Charmaine Crowell-White @ Bon Air Library

February 17, 2017

  • 4:00 pm - “Narrative of the Life of Henry Box Brown” Performance tells the story of a enslaved Richmond man who escaped to freedom at the age of 33 by arranging to have himself mailed in a wooden crate to abolitionists in Philadelphia in 1849 @ VUU’s Belgian Theatre, 1500 N. Lombardy St
  • 6:00 pm – “Free hip-hop routines” by Studio 4 Dance Company @ VMFA

February 18, 2017

  • 1:00 pm - “Matinees with Miss Maggie focus: Ella Baker” @ The Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
  • 7:00 pm – “Legendary Dance Night” honoring music legends such as Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross and Prince, will feature Center Stage Band @ Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, 1440 N. Laburnum Ave
  • 7:00 pm – “Beginning African-American Genealogy” Jody Raab, Richmond Family History Center, introduces techniques and resources to use in African-American genealogical research. Registration is required. @ Clover Hill Library

February 23, 2017

  • 5:00 pm - National African American Read-In @ VMFA
  • 7:00 pm – “Twisted: My Dreadlock Chronicles” Dr. Bert Ashe discusses his personal journey and the history of dreadlocks and black identity. Book sale/signing afterwards. Registration is required @ LaPrade Library

February 25, 2017

  • 1:00 pm - Discover the many roles African Americans played in the 150+ year history of Dabbs House. Learn about the Dabbs’ family slaves; Perry Parks, the enslaved valet of General Lee; and the residents of the almshouse. Meet an African-American Civil War soldier, who will share the little known role of African Americans in the Battle of New Market Heights @ DABBS HOUSE MUSEUM
  • 1:00 pm - “Matinees with Miss Maggie focus: Shirley Chisholm” @ The Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site

February 26, 2017

  • 3:00 pm – “Hidden Figures” The Museum will host a program with Christine Darden, a mathematician featured in The New York Times best-selling book “Hidden Figures,” @ The Black History Museum

February 27, 2017

  • 7:00 pm - “Sukey: Life with Dolley Madison” portrayed by Charmaine Crowell-White @ Meadowdale Library

New Year! New Administration! New Motivations!

Dear Friends,

2017 is here and there is good work ahead of us on the Community Proposal for a Shockoe Bottom Memorial Park. With a new city administration and school board, the opportunity for new discussions and outcomes is great. Look for an update in the next couple of weeks.

Looking forward,

Sacred Ground Project