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Black history Month calendar

2/1/2019, 6 a.m.
From films to speakers to talent shows and panel workshops, area organizations, churches, schools and museums are holding a plethora ...
Patricia Lancaster of Chesterfield County browses the work on view at “The Art of Freedom” exhibit at the Black History Museum & Cultural Center in Jackson Ward. The exhibit, which is on view through May 19, includes more than 60 works in various mediums by 36 African-American artists born or living in Virginia who express their meaning of freedom. Photo by Regina H. Boone Richmond Free Press

From films to speakers to talent shows and panel workshops, area organizations, churches, schools and museums are holding a plethora of events in February to celebrate Black History Month.

The following compilation includes information submitted to the Richmond Free Press:

Ongoing exhibit “I See Me! A Reflective Look at Black Dolls” showcasing 100 black dolls from the private collection of Richmond sisters Grace E. DeLoatch (deceased) and Dr. Vasti DeLoatch at the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, 122 W. Leigh St. Information: blackhistorymuseum.org.

Ongoing exhibit “Growing Up in Civil Rights Richmond: A Community Remembers” showcasing the oral histories and photo portraits of 30 Richmond residents whose lives were altered as youngsters during the Civil Rights Movement. Through May 10. Joel and Lila Harnett Museum of Art, University of Richmond’s Modlin Center for the Arts, 453 Westhampton Way. Details: www.modlin.richmond.edu

Friday, Feb. 1, 5:30 p.m. MLK Monthly Movie Series at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, 1000 Mosby St., hosted by the school and the East End Community Parent Teacher Organization. First movie: “SELMA.” Series continues each Friday in February and then once a month until June. Light refreshments will be provided. Contact: Inett Dabney, principal, (804) 780.8011 or idabney@rvaschools.net; Felicia Cosby, 6th District School Board representative, fcosby@rvaschools.net.

Friday, Feb. 1, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Opening reception for “Representation Matters” exhibit reflecting the importance of racial, historical and creative freedom in the fiber arts genre symbolized in quilting by members of the Kuumba African-American Quilter’s Guild of Richmond. Richmond Public Library Main Branch, 101 E. Franklin St. Contact:  Lynn Vandenesse, (804) 646-7223.

Friday, Feb. 1, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Jay Baxter “Live” musical performance hosted by comedian Antoine Scott at Virginia State University Gateway Dining & Event Center, 2804 Martin Luther King Drive, Colonial Heights. Registration: http://library.chesterfield.gov or call (804) 751-2275.

Friday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m. GENERATION DREAM 2019 presented by Richmond Peace Education Center and featuring talented Central Virginia youths, Richmond Public Library Main Branch, 101 E. Franklin St. Free and open to the public. Information: (804) 232-1002 or email rypp@rpec.org.

Friday, Feb. 1, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Lecture: Masking Traditions of the Congo featuring Dr. Manuel Jordan, deputy director, chief curator and curator for Africa of the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Ariz. Tickets, $8; $5 for museum members; in museum’s Leslie Cheek Theater. Enjoy Congolese popular music with David Noyes, host of Ambiance Confo WRIR, in Cochrane Atrium from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Free. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard. Details: (804) 340-1400 or www.vmfa.museum.

Friday, Feb. 1, 5 to 7 p.m. Opening celebration of “Hope, Faith and Courage: Early Civil Rights Leaders in Richmond” exhibition featuring early activists John Mitchell Jr., Maggie L. Walker, James E. Jackson, Rosa Dixon Bowser and Hezekiah F. Jonathan. Exhibit will run through March 22. University of Richmond Downtown’s Wilton Companies Gallery, 626 E. Broad St. Details: (804) 289-8000.

Saturday, Feb. 2, 11 to 11:45 a.m. Take a Giant Leap with the Rainbow Puppets on a journey through the history of flight with the Tuskegee Airmen. Chester Library, 11800 Centre St., Chester. Registration: http://library.chesterfield.gov or call (804) 751-2275.

Saturday, Feb. 2, 1 to 3 p.m. “If these Walls Could Talk: Richmond’s Leigh Street Armory and African-American Militia,” with guest speaker VCU Professor Emeritus Dr. Roice Luke. Chesterfield Central Library, 9501 Lori Road, Chesterfield. Registration: http://library.chesterfield.gov or call (804) 751-2275.

Saturday, Feb. 2, 1 p.m. “Waters of Hope and Despair: African Americans and the Chesapeake Bay” featuring speaker Wisteria Perry at Pamplin Historical Park, Petersburg. Information: (804) 861-2408

Saturday, Feb. 2, 3 p.m. “One play. Three Titles — The Devolution of the Black Madonna, Stop Lying to My Grandma, The Truth Is Stubborn, It Hangs Around Forever” by Sekou Shabaka, sponsored by the Shrine of the Black Madonna Sanctuary. Goochland High School Auditorium, 3250A River Road West, Goochland. Tickets: $10; free for youngsters age 18 and under. Details and tickets: Sekou Shabaka, (804) 457-2374, or email the Rev. Adlai C. Allen at revacallen@gmail.com.

Sunday, Feb. 3, 1 to 4 p.m. Public Art Project with Hamilton Glass. Participants can assist muralist Hamilton Glass with a project honoring local African-American community leaders. The finished mural will be on display in the Cochrane Atrium Feb. 21 to 27. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard. Details: (804) 340-1400 or www.vmfa.museum.

Monday, Feb. 4, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Family Search Digitization Project features the world’s largest genealogical organization and its role in preserving historical records. Midlothian Library, 521 Coalfield Road, Midlothian. Registration: http://library.chesterfield.gov or call (804) 751-2275.

Tuesday, Feb. 5, 6 to 8 p.m. Controversy/History – Healthy Community: Disease & Disparity offers a discussion focused on Richmond’s history with disease and racial disparities in treatment featuring Valentine Director Bill Martin and Coffee with Strangers host Kelli Lemon followed by presentations from Rodney Lofton, deputy director of Diversity Richmond and a representative from Health Brigade, who will discuss race, illness and continuing disparities. The Valentine, 1015 E. Clay St.

Wednesday, Feb. 6, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. United Methodist Family Services African American Heritage Celebration featuring the talents of UMFS students and a talk with former UMFS resident LaQuita Lewis. UMFS Campus, 3900 W. Broad St. Contact: Julia Brewster, (804) 510-0039, ext. 104.

Thursday, Feb. 7, 7 to 8 p.m. “Open Wide Our Hearts” featuring Deacon Charles Williams, interim director, Catholic Diocese of Richmond Office of Black Catholics, and Sister Cora Marie Billings, RSM, first black woman pastoral leader of an American Catholic parish. St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 2712 2nd Ave. Information: Chris Barrett at cbarrett@stelizcc.org or (804) 266-3596.

Thursday, Feb. 7, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Artist Talk with Glenn Ligon featuring the New York-based artist whose neon work, “A Small Band,” is one of the museum’s recent acquisitions in its growing African-American art collection and on view in the Cochrane Atrium. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ Leslie Cheek Theater, 200 N. Boulevard. Tickets, $8; $5 for VMFA members. Details: (804) 340-1400 or www.vmfa.museum.

Friday, Feb. 8, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. 2nd Annual City Wide Black History Production hosted by Culture4MyKids and Isokan Performance Company and featuring music, storytelling and dance. Robinson Theater, 2903 Q St. Tickets: $3. Information and reservations: https://en-gb.facebook.com/events/2069673369768874/.

Saturday, Feb. 9, 11 a.m. to noon The Magic of the Motherland: Myths and Folktales with storyteller Justin Leak. Enon Library, 1801 Enon Church Road, Chester. Registration: http://library.chesterfield.gov or call (804) 751-2275.

Saturday, Feb. 9, 2 to 3 p.m. Integrating CCPS: One Family’s Journey features Dr. Charles McLeod, one of the first African-American students to integrate Chesterfield County Public Schools. LaPrade Library, 9000 Hull Street Road, North Chesterfield. Registration: http://library.chesterfield.gov or call (804) 751-2275.

Saturday, Feb. 9, 1 to 4 p.m. Richmond Public Library’s 4th Annual Black History Month Author Celebration featuring Kiara S. Lee and Deuntay Diggs, the Stafford County Dancing Deputy, many local authors. Richmond Public Library, Main Branch, 101 E. Franklin St. Contact: Meldon Jenkins-Jones, (804) 646-3425.

Saturday, Feb. 9, 2 to 4 p.m. “The Art of Freedom” explores freedom through the eyes of Virginia-born and Virginia-based artists. Meet and talk to artists Lawrence Charity, Hamilton Glass, Rondall “RJ”James, Cynthia M.H. Potter and Faithe Norrell. Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, 122 W. Leigh St. Registration: blackhistorymuseum.org.

Saturday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m. “Moton Black History Month Jazz Concert.” Moton National Historic Landmark & Museum, Farmville Details: (434) 315-8775 or www.motonmuseum.org.

Sunday, Feb. 10, 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. Spring Creek Baptist Church MIME and Praise Dance Ministries at the Virginia State University Gateway Dining & Event Center, 2804 Martin Luther King Drive, Colonial Heights. Registration: http://library.chesterfield.gov or call (804) 751-2275.

Sunday Feb. 10, 3 p.m. GENERATION DREAM 2019 presented by Richmond Peace Education Center and featuring talented Central Virginia youths, The Henrico Theater, 305 E. Nine Mile Road, Highland Springs. Free and open to the public. Information: (804) 232-1002 or email rypp@rpec.org.

Monday, Feb. 11, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Family Search Digitization Project features the world’s largest genealogical organization and its role in preserving historical records. Meadowdale Library, 4301 Meadowdale Blvd., Chester. Registration: http://library.chesterfield.gov or call (804) 751-2275.

Tuesday, Feb. 12, 7 to 8 p.m. “Race and Housing in Richmond” presented by Erica Holmes, program manager at Virginia Supportive Housing, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 2712 2nd Ave. Information: Chris Barrett at cbarrett@stelizcc.org or (804) 266-3596.

Tuesday, Feb. 12, 1 to 2:15 p.m. Film “Black Is the Color,” a survey of works by noted African-American artists, including Edmonia Lewis, Whitfield Lovell, Kerry James Marshall, Ellen Gallagher and Jean-Michel Basquiat, and the barriers they encountered in the mainstream art world. Free, but tickets required. Also showing same time on Tuesday, Feb. 19, and Tuesday, Feb. 26. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ Leslie Cheek Theater, 200 N. Boulevard. Details: (804) 340-1400 or www.vmfa.museum.

Friday, Feb. 15, 8 to 11 p.m. Black and Bold Leadership Awards featuring a one-of-a kind award created by local African- American artist Todd Parson and presented by Diversity Richmond. Virginia Union University, Claude G. Perkins Living & Learning Center 1500 N. Lombardy St. Information: diversityrichmond.org or (804) 622-4646.

Saturday, Feb. 16, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Black Facts High School Competition. Teams of students from area high schools will show what they know. Presented by the Henrico County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta and the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, 122 W. Leigh St. Registration: blackhistorymuseum.org.

Saturday, Feb. 16, noon to 2 p.m. Community Conversation and Book Signing with James Earl Hardy, best-selling gay African-American author, at Diversity Richmond, 1407 Sherwood Ave. Information: diversityrichmond.org or (804) 622-4646.

Saturday, Feb. 16, 1 to 2 p.m. An Afternoon of Classical Music with Dr. Lisa Edwards-Burrs, a Virginia State and Longwood University professor and accomplished operatic performer. Central Library, 7051 Lucy Corr Blvd. Chesterfield. Registration: http://library.chesterfield.gov or call (804) 751-2275.

Saturday, Feb. 16, 2 to 3 p.m. Integrating CCPS: One Family’s Journey features Dr. Charles McLeod, one of the first African-American students to integrate Chesterfield County Public Schools. Ettrick-Matoaca Library, 4501 River Road, Matoaca. Registration: http://library.chesterfield.gov or call (804) 751-2275.

Saturday, Feb. 16, 10 a.m. “The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage,” a children’s story, with “Hand Over Your Heart” art project at 10:30 a.m. Moton National Historic Landmark & Museum, Farmville. Details: (434) 315-8775 or www.motonmuseum.org.

Sunday, Feb. 17, 3 p.m. “Love Songs,” a cabaret of music all about love. Moton National Historic Landmark & Museum, Farmville. Details: (434) 315-8775 or www.motonmuseum.org.

Monday, Feb. 18, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. The Magic of the Motherland: Myths and Folktales with storyteller Justin Leak. Bon Air Library, 9103 Rattlesnake Road, Richmond. Registration: http://library.chesterfield.gov or call (804) 751-2275.

Monday, Feb. 18, 6 to 7:30 p.m. I Have a Dream, the story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. presented by the Virginia Repertory Theatre. North Courthouse Road Library, 325 Courthouse Road, Richmond. Registration: http://library.chesterfield.gov or call (804) 751-2275.

Tuesday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m. “Tearing Hatred from the Sky” lecture with Bree Newsome, artist, activist and community leader who drew national attention in 2015 when she climbed the flagpole outside the South Carolina capitol building and took down the Confederate battle flag following the shooting death of nine African-Americans at the hands of a white supremacist at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C. University of Richmond’s Alice Haynes Room in Tyler Haynes Commons, 270 Richmond Way. Details: https://chaplaincy.richmond.edu/programs/sylvester-spirituality-series.html or (804) 289-8000.

Wednesday, Feb. 20, 7 to 9 p.m. VCU 17th Annual Black History Month Lecture featuring Christy Coleman of the American Civil War Museum, Adriane Lentz-Smith of Duke University and Equal Justice Institute Deputy Director of Community Education Kiara Boone to present a discussion about how our society treated African-American veterans after their service and how that affected them and their communities. James Branch Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave. Information: VCU Libraries Events Office, (804) 828-0593.

Thursday, Feb. 21, 7 to 8 p.m. “Community Organizing in the Neighborhood and Across RVA” presented by Jo White, coordinator of TEAM, a Highland Park Inter-Faith Association, and representatives of RISC – Richmonders Involved to Strengthen our Communities – at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 2712 2nd Ave. Information: Chris Barrett at cbarrett@stelizcc.org or (804) 266-3596.

Thursday, Feb. 21, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. African-American Read-In featuring Mayor Levar M. Stoney and other notable African-Americans in Greater Richmond as they read poetry and prose throughout the galleries. The event pairs works by African-American authors and writers. Meet in the Cochrane Atrium. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard. Details: (804) 340-1400 or www.vmfa.museum.

Thursday, Feb. 21, 5:30 p.m. A Community Conversation featuring the book “A Lesson Before Dying” by Ernest Gaines. Moton National Historic Landmark & Museum, Farmville. Details: (434) 315-8775 or www.motonmuseum.org.

Friday, Feb. 22, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wine & Wings includes delicious wines, wonderful wings, and fabulous music at the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, 122 W. Leigh St. Registration: blackhistorymuseum.org.

Friday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m. “Slave Trading and Early African-American Presence in Bermuda Hundred” featuring The Rev. Herbert C. Townes, chairman, Chesterfield Historical Society Lucy Corr Village Community Hall, 6800 Lucy Corr Blvd., Chesterfield. Free for members of the Chesterfield Historical Society; $5 for non-members. Details: Karen Sadler, (804) 796-7156.

Friday, Feb. 22, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oliver Hill Social Justice Short Film Competition: Face the Dawn Not the Setting Sun. Screening of winning entries from the Oliver White Hill Sr. Foundation’s inaugural film competition for students and professionals about the late noted civil rights attorney and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. Tickets, 8; $5 for VMFA members. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ Leslie Cheek Theater, 200 N. Boulevard. Details: (804) 340-1400 or www.vmfa.museum.

Saturday, Feb. 23, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Magic of the Motherland: Myths and Folktales with storyteller Justin Leak. North Courthouse Road Library, 325 Courthouse Road, Richmond. Registration: http://library.chesterfield.gov or call (804) 751-2275.

Saturday, Feb. 23, 1 to 2:30 p.m. A Sharecropper’s Life featuring James McKnight Jr. and Sahara Bowser sharing the story of Willie Holiday Sr. Chester Library, 11800 Centre St. Chester, Richmond. Registration: http://library.chesterfield.gov or call (804) 751-2275.

Saturday, Feb. 23, 1 to 1:45 p.m. Spring Creek Baptist Church MIME Ministry at the Clover Hill Library, 6701 Deer Run Drive, Midlothian. Registration: http://library.chesterfield.gov or call (804) 751-2275.

Saturday, Feb. 23, 2 to 2:45 p.m. Take a Giant Leap with the Rainbow Puppets on a journey through the history of flight with the Tuskegee Airmen. Meadowdale Library, 4301 Meadowdale Blvd., Chester. Registration: http://library.chesterfield.gov or call (804) 751-2275.

Saturday, Feb. 23, 11 a.m. to noon Family African-American Read-In featuring Virginia Secretary of Education Atif Qarni and other community members reading African and African-American children’s stories. Music, movement and other children’s activities also will be featured. Meet in Cochrane Atrium. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard. Details: (804) 340-1400 or www.vmfa.museum.

Sunday Feb. 24, 3 p.m. GENERATION DREAM 2019 presented by Richmond Peace Education Center and featuring talented Central Virginia youths, VCU’s Institute for Contemporary Art, 601 W. Broad St. Free and open to the public. Information: (804) 232-1002 or email rypp@rpec.org.

Thursday, Feb 28, 10:40 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. “Together We Rise,” an oral history and performing arts project presented by a special student-led Black History Month assembly at Richmond Community High School, 201 E. Brookland Park Blvd. Information: (804) 780-4332.

Thursday, Feb. 28, 7 to 8 p.m. “The Lenten Repentance Project,” a program for transforming ourselves and our culture presented by Allan-Charles Chipman, faith-rooted organizer and strategist. St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 2712 2nd Ave. Information: Chris Barrett at cbarrett@stelizcc.org or (804) 266-3596.