The Underground Railroad Network to Freedom
Feb. 1-24 on Sundays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
A band of escaped slaves informed Union soldiers of Confederate activity at the Leesylvania State Park’s Freestone Point in September 1861. Learn about this and other historical events at the park’s recurring lecture. // Leesylvania State Park: 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Drive, Woodbridge; Free
Black History Month Movie Series
Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22, 2-4:30 p.m.
Watch a different movie every Friday in February at the Shirlington Branch Library, featuring black actors and stories. Movies on the lineup include The Soloist, The True Welcome, Glory, Southside with You and 42: The Jackie Robinson Story. // Shirlington Branch Library: 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington; Free
African-American Storytelling for Adults
Feb. 2, 6 p.m.
Virginia native Dylan Pritchett is dedicated to passing on the African oral tradition of storytelling. Pritchett will share stories that reflect the issues facing African-American culture today, and the adversaries overcome in the past. // Alexandria Black History Museum: 902 Wythe St., Alexandria; $5
The Quantico Black History Month Prayer Breakfast
Feb. 7, 8-10 a.m.
The event will include a large buffet breakfast and a keynote speech from Reverend E. Montrez Nicholson, the associate minister at Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria. // The Clubs at Quantico and Crossroad Events Center: 3017 Russell Road, Quantico; $22
Stories of Preservation and Progress Speaker Series: Black History Month
Feb. 13, 3-4 p.m.
Manassas City Council member Michelle Davis-Younger will share her experience of being a life-long resident of Manassas, as well as the first woman of color to be elected to the city council. // The Manassas Museum: 9101 Prince William St., Manassas; Free
SCHS Black History Program Fundraising Dinner
Feb. 15, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the South Country High School Minority Achievement Committee, the South Country High School Black History Program Fundraising Dinner will feature Southern-style cooking, including chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, cornbread and peach cobbler, made by former White House executive chef and military veteran Anthony S. Holliday. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet Holliday at the event. Proceeds benefit the committee. // South County High School: 8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton; $15
The African-American Experience at Ben Lomond
Feb. 16, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Ben Lomond Historic Site will present a special guided tour in recognition of Black History Month, where guests will tour the historic home and the original slave quarter to learn about the slaves who lived at Ben Lomond. // Ben Lomond Historic Site: 1032 Sudley Manor Drive, Manassas; $5
Meet the Harlem Hellfighers & the Ebony Doughboys
Feb. 16, 1 p.m.
Members of the Ebony Doughboys, a living history group, will share stories of service and discrimination faced by African-American soldiers during World War I. // The Manassas Museum: 9101 Prince William St., Manassas; Free
APS Celebrates Black History Month
Feb. 20, 6-8 p.m.
Arlington Public Schools will celebrate the African-American experience in Arlington at the “APS Celebrates Black History Month – Arlington: Past, Present, and Future Excellence” event. Students and community members will share their stories of being change agents in the community. Author Wilma Jones and jazz musician Rick Franklin will also perform at the event, as well as APS students with musical and dance selections. There will also be a student and community recognition awards ceremony. // W-L High School: 1301 N. Stafford St., Arlington; Free
The 19th Annual Virginia Black History Month Gala
Feb. 23, 6-9 p.m.
Howard University graduate and actor Lazaro “Laz” Alonso will be the keynote speaker at this year’s annual Virginia Black History Month Gala. Alonso has starred in This Christmas and Jumping the Broom. Guests of honor include Reverend Wheeler Parker Jr, who is a cousin of Emmett Till and the last surviving eyewitness of the historical event; journalist Jesse J. Holland, who wrote the book that became the background for the movie The Black Panther; television producer Dr. A’Leleia Bundles, the great-granddaughter of Madam CJ Walker; and prison reform advocate and author Anthony Ray Hinton. // Hilton McLean Tysons Corner Hotel: 7920 Jones Branch Drive, McLean; $25-$1,450
Want more things to do content? Subscribe to our newsletter, sent to your inbox twice a week.
