Updated 2024 It is known as “America's Second Independence Day.” Yet there is no battle marking that day. No birthday of a new nation. Not even an anniversary of a document. Rather Juneteenth, the commemoration of freedom from slavery, commemorates June 19, 1865 - the date federal troops arrived in…
Read More
Even in our darkest times, love is all around us. Civil War-era Northern Virginia illustrates many of these examples. During a time of great division, people helped each other. Soldiers were buoyed by the romantic letters they wrote home. Women took grave risks for love. Humanitarian efforts lifted…
Read More
Put your stretchy pants on and get ready! If you're looking to support locally-owned Black small businesses, this is the list for you. From classic soul food favorites to international cuisine, here are 15+ Black-owned restaurants in Fairfax County to visit for amazing cuisine. Preservation…
Read More
Updated for 2024 Goodbye January, and hello February! We’re officially into the second month of the year, and with it comes a new wave of must-see attractions and events in Fairfax County. Between Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, AND the Super Bowl, plus more, there’s plenty of excitement in…
Read More
Washington DC is steeped in African American history, contributing significantly to the overall tapestry of the nation's past. Whether you're visiting DC or the surrounding areas there are several sites in the region that offer a chance to reflect on the inspiring journey of hope, sacrifice…
Read More
"Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." - Martin Luther King, Jr. On Monday, January 15, we honor the birthday…
Read More
From the American Revolution and Civil War to remote parks where spies exchanged information, Fairfax County has been home to history and intrigue since its founding in 1742. Our first president lived here. Battles were fought here. Military museums and memorials surround us. And aircraft from every…
Read More
Today, it is well known that Fairfax County public schools are regarded as some of the very best in the country, teaching hundreds of thousands of students from a variety of diverse cultures and backgrounds. However, there was a time in the not-so-distant past when Black Americans who wished to have…
Read More
The Fairfax County Park Authority is one of the most celebrated park systems in the nation. Their facilities, golf courses, trails, parks, and programs and activities offer visitors and residents alike wonderful opportunities to exercise, or simply get outside and engage with history and nature. One…
Read More
Prior to the Civil War, many of Virginia's communities were a place where Black Americans sought only to survive. However, along the banks of the Potomac River lies a special community that wasn't just for "surviving," but for African Americans to be free, seek refuge, and ultimately build a…
Read More
