By Maria- Paula
The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia (BHMVA) is commemorating its
40th anniversary by hosting a new six-month-long exhibition displaying from September 14 to April 29, 2023. The exhibition titled Forging Freedom, Justice, and Equality is sponsored by Altria, Dominion Energy, and NBC12.
Forging Freedom, Justice, and Equality is an analysis of relevant themes to the
commonwealth’s Black community History and culture. It features artefacts and more than 100 photographs that aim at honoring the major regions of Virginia.
This event comes after a 2021, 40 years anniversary of the Museum in voicing the untold and occasionally forgotten stories of Virginia’s African Americans.
“As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, it is an exciting time for the Black History Museum.
We’re not resting on our laurels but we are using the first 40 years to build on the next 40!” said Dr. Monroe Harris, BHMVA board of directors, president. “Our plans to take the
museum to the next level include building on our existing community partnerships, virtual
programming, implementing place-based initiatives, and developing a vigorous educational program. These are aligned with our mission to provide, develop, and partner, in the creation of educational resources, services, and opportunities to promote and advance understanding of the history and culture of Black people and African Americans in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
The themes featured in the exhibition are:
• Before Came Freedom
• Tell Them We Are Rising
• In My Father’s House
• The Business, Commerce, Organisations
• The Black Press
• Blacks in the Military
• Arts, Sports and entertainment
A press release from the museum highlighted that to try and vividly explain the Black history of the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond, powerful first-person narratives, artefacts
from the BHMVA, private collections and rare photographs will be used. This will help the
patrons to embark on an orderly journey distinguished by extraordinary examples of agency in the quest for freedom, justice and parity through the many years.
On September 15, the museum hosted the Annual Afrikana Film Festival, 7th edition.
Including a panel and live musical performances, the opening night reception and screening of “Birth of a Planet,” highlighted John Mitchell, the founder of the Richmond Planets story.
Saturday, September 17 features a Richmond 16.19 Run, a celebration of unity in diversity in the community.
The exhibition promoted by contributions from presenters, guest lecturers, entertainment
and children activities in show casing the rich culture of African American people in Va.
requires registration for all the events.
