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Area Black History Month events

1/27/2017, 7:50 p.m.
History, art, culture and the triumphs of African-American people will mark area programs and celebrations during Black History Month. Activities ...

History, art, culture and the triumphs of African-American people will mark area programs and celebrations during Black History Month. Activities including art exhibits, films, musical performances and more will highlight the festivities, which are scheduled from Jan. 27 through Feb. 26. All events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.

Jan. 27

“Community”: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, Pine Camp Arts and Community Center, 4901 Old Brook Road. Art exhibit features works by local artists Virginia R. Coleman and Cheryl Clayton. Sponsored by the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. Info: (804) 646-1087.

Jan. 30

“Carry On: The Life and Legacy of Maggie Lena Walker”: 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, Grace Street Theater, 934 W. Grace St. Short film from the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site traces the trials and triumphs of Richmond’s pioneering banker and civil rights activist. Sponsored by the National Park Service. Info: www.nps.gov/mawa.

Jan. 31

“Jack Johnson Exhibition”: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, Premier Bank, 320 N. First St. J&S Studio and Gallery owner Jack Johnson will discuss his work as a sculptor; refreshments will be served. Sponsored by African American Heritage Association of Virginia. Info: Kent Ruffin at (804) 649-7400 or kent@aahava.com.

“Race Against Prime Time”: 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, John Tyler Community College Midlothian Campus, 800 Charter Colony Pkwy., Hamel Hall, H109. Documentary screening and discussion, led by Michael Ruiz, sociology instructor. Info: Holly Walker, (804) 594-1530 or hwalker@tcc.edu.

Feb. 1

“Slavery by Another Name”: Noon Wednesday, Feb. 1, John Tyler Community College Chester Campus, 13101 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Bird Hall, B132. Documentary screening and discussion led by Dr. James Williams, sociology professor. Info: Holly Walker, 594-1530 or hwalker@tcc.edu.

Feb. 2

“From Tragedy to Triumph – The Martha Ann Fields Story”: 4 and 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 2, Virginia Union University’s Belgian Theatre, 1500 N. Lombardy St. Play tells the story of the trials and triumphs of a woman enslaved in Hanover County who escaped to freedom in 1862. Featuring actress Valerie Davis. Sponsored by VUU Theatre Program. Info: (804) 257-5600.

“Black History Month Out Loud”: 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, John Tyler Community College Midlothian Campus, 800 Charter Colony Pkwy., T Building, Lynn Theatre. Members of the college’s Theatre Club present readings from black writers and selections from plays. Led by Kerrigan Sullivan, theatre professor. Info: Holly Walker, (804) 594-1530 or hwalker@tcc.edu.

Feb. 3

“First Fridays at the Seminary: Celebrating Dr. John W. Kinney”: 5:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3, reception at the Black History Museum, 122 W. Leigh St., with “God’s Half Acre: Virginia Union University and Freedom’s Religion,” a presentation by Dr. Kinney, dean of VUU’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, at 7 p.m., Ebenezer Baptist Church, 216 W. Leigh St. Sponsored by VUU’s Center for Lifelong Learning and Leadership. Info: (804) 257-5600.

“Generation Dream 2017”: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, Richmond Public Library Main Library Downtown, 101 E. Franklin St.; 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, 1000 Mosby St.; and 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb.19, VCU’s Grace Street Theater, 934 W. Grace St. Richmond Peace Education Center’s annual tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Info: RPEC@rpec.org of (804) 232-1002.

“First Friday: Plunky and Oneness”: 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard. Juju Jazz Funk concert. Info: (804) 340-1405.

“Black Lives Matter Art Show”: 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3., First Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond, 1000 Blanton Ave. A multicultural art show featuring the theme “Black Lives Matter.” Entries currently being accepted; for entry form and details, contact Jennifer Yane at JenniferUnlimited1@gmail.com with “BLM Art Show” in the subject line. Info: (804) 282-4436.

“Murry DePillars: Double Vision”: Friday, Feb. 3 through Saturday, June 3, Black History Museum, 122 W. Leigh St. Art exhibition features 37 pieces by the late Dr. DePillars, artist and former dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts (1976-1995). Info: (804) 780-9093.

“Obscura”: 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, Elegba Folklore Society Cultural Center, 101 E. Broad St. Artist Nicole Wandera will discuss her collection of paintings. Info: Janine Bell, (804) 644-3900.

Feb. 4

“Matinees with Miss Maggie”: 1 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 4-25, Maggie Walker Historic Site, 600 N. 2nd St. Film series focusing on the lives and accomplishments of Sojourner Truth, Ida B. Wells, Ella Baker and Shirley Chisolm. Sponsored by the National Park Service. Info: (804) 771-2017 or www.nps.gov/mawa.

“Slavery & Freedom: Monticello and the National Museum of African American History and Culture with John W. Franklin”: 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, Milstein Theater at Monticello in Charlottesville. John W. Franklin, senior manager of the office of external affairs at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, talks about the new museum in Washington. Info: www.monticello.org

Feb. 7

“United Voices: Raising Awareness through Song &Word – National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day”: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, Black History Museum, 122 W. Leigh St. Persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS will share stories of triumph and overcoming adversity. In partnership with Diversity Richmond. Info: (804) 622-4646 ext. 203.

“Defining Generations: African-American Artists”: 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 7- 28, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard. $90; VMFA members, $75. The work of artists Hank Willis Thomas, Barkley Hendricks, Elizabeth Catlett and Louis Draper will be featured in the sessions on African-American artists. Info: (804) 340-1405.

Feb. 9

“From These Roots: A Musical Tribute to African-American Heritage”: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, Black History Museum, 122 W. Leigh St. Binford Middle School Orchestra and Chorus to perform with Soul of Dance performing arts dance troupe. Info: www.blackhistorymuseum.org.

“Protecting Our Women: The Rhetoric of Race, Rape and Lynching on ‘Black Wall Street’ ”: 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, John Tyler Community College Midlothian Campus, 800 Charter Colony Pkwy., Eliades Hall, E113/E115. Presented by Andrea Dunford, professor of English. Info: Holly Walker, (804) 594-1530 or hwalker@tcc.edu.

“Message from a Slave”: 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, Friday, Feb. 10, Thursday, Feb. 16, Friday, Feb.17, and Saturday, Feb. 18; 10 a.m. Feb. 15, Pine Camp Arts and Community Center, 4901 Old Brook Rd. The play tells the story of a woman’s journey from a life of freedom into slavery. Sponsored by Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. Info: (804) 646-1087.

“Ethnic Notions”: 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, John Tyler Community College Chester Campus, 13101 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Bird Hall, B124. Documentary screening and discussion led by Dr. Christine Diggs, human services professor. Panel discussion on continued marginalization of African-Americans. Info: Holly Walker, 594-1530 or hwalker@tcc.edu.

Feb. 10

“The Exclusive Blacklist”: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, Black History Museum, 122 W. Leigh St. Wine from African-American wineries, hors d’oeuvres and jazz. Info: (804) 780-9093.

“The Importance of Black History Month”: 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, Wall Auditorium, Virginia Union University, 1500 Lombardy St. 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. Sponsored by the VUU Department of Languages and Literature. Info: (804) 257-5600.

Feb. 11

“A Master Class in Entrepreneurship with Miko Branch”: 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, Virginia Union University, 1500 Lombardy St. The co-founder and CEO of Miss Jessie’s hair care products teaches a class in entrepreneurship. Sponsored by the BND Institute of Media and Culture and the Center for the Study of the Urban Child at VUU. Info: (804) 257-5600.

“The History of Iconic African-American Figures in Advertisement: Aunt Jemima, Uncle Bens and Rastus”: 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, Henrico County Public Library, Varina Branch, 1875 New Market Road. Learn about these iconic figures from a collection of more than 30 collectables.

“Colonial Williamsburg’s Inaugural REV Talk: Michael Twitty”: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, Kimball Theater in Colonial Williamsburg’s Merchant Square. Culinary historian and author Michael Twitty will share insights and answer audience questions. Info: (757) 220-7287.

Feb. 13

“New York African Burial Ground”: 9:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13, John Tyler Community College Midlothian Campus, 800 Charter Colony Pkwy., Hamel Hall, H109. Presentation by Allison Talibi, sociology adjunct instructor. Info: Holly Walker, (804) 594-1530 or hwalker@tcc.edu.

Feb. 15

“The Black LGBTQ Experience: Lecture and Dialogue with Dr. Ravi Perry”: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, Black History Museum. Dr. Perry will lead a discussion on the experience of black LGBTQ communities. Info: (804) 622-4646, ext. 203.

“ ‘Jump in the Sun’ by Zora Neale Hurston”: 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, John Tyler Community College Chester Campus, 13101 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Bird Hall, B124. Presentation, discussion and film excerpts, with discussion led by Saajida Chohan, English instructor. Info: Holly Walker, (804) 594-1530 or hwalker@tcc.edu.

Feb. 16

“Artist Talk: LeRoy Henderson”: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard. $8; VMFA members, $5. Info: (804) 340-1405.

“Richard Wright: ‘Black Boy’ documentary”: 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, John Tyler Community College Chester Campus, 13101 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Bird Hall, B124. Discussion led by Meredith Privott, English instructor. Info: Holly Walker, (804) 594-1530 or hwalker@tcc.edu.

Feb. 17

“Narrative of the Life of Henry Box Brown”: 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, VUU’s Belgian Theatre, 1500 N. Lombardy St. 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. Sponsored by the VUU Theatre Program. Info: (804) 257-5600.

“Cross Cultural Connections: Rethinking Black History Month and the Influence of African Diaspora”: 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, Wall Auditorium, Virginia Union University, 1500 Lombardy St. Dr. Monique Leslie Akassi, chair of the VUU Department of Languages and Literature, will share her experience traveling to Côte d’Ivoire in West Africa. Dr. Michael Orok, dean of the VUU School of Humanities and Social Sciences, will offer an Africana perspective. Info: (804) 257-5600.

Feb. 21

“A Narrative Through Verse – Readings spanning the history of African-American Poetry”: 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, John Tyler Community College Chester Campus, 13101 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Bird Hall, B124 campus; and 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, John Tyler Community College Midlothian Campus, 800 Charter Colony Pkwy., T Building, Lynn Theatre, T112. Presented by JTCC Writing Center. Info: Holly Walker, (804) 594-1530 or hwalker@tcc.edu.

Feb. 23

“Dr. Peter Wallenstein – Race, Sex and the Freedom to Marry: Loving v. Virginia”: 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, Black History Museum, 122 W. Leigh St. Virginia Tech history professor Dr. Peter Wallenstein, author of “Tell the Court I Love My Wife: Race, Marriage and Law – An American History,” discusses the landmark civil rights case, Loving v. Virginia. Info: www.blackhistorymuseum.org.

Feb. 26

“Hidden No More: Pioneering Black Women Mathematicians Tell Their Stories”: 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, Black History Museum, 122 W. Leigh St., Dr. Christine Darden, mathematician and NASA employee for nearly 40 years and one of the women portrayed in the recent film, “Hidden Figures,” will be joined by Estelle Amy Smith and journalist Michael Paul Williams for a discussion. Info: www.blackhistorymuseum.org/.