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Teach, Create, Celebrate, Black History!

Join us as we engage the community in an inspiring month of exploration into how our students, teachers, staff and partners make Black History every day!

Celebrate with swag!

We're kicking off Black History Month with new merchandise in the RPS Love Store! Our theme this month is Teach. Create. Celebrate! Visit the online store at www.bonfire.com/store/rps-love. Proceeds will go to the Richmond Black History Museum!

Black History Month Events

Date Time Event Location
February 5 - 28

Mondays
10 am-12 pm

Wednesdays 5-7:30 pm

Black History Month Research Assistance
Curious about the history of a building in Jackson Ward or an issue of the Richmond Planet? The Richmond Room will be open for walk-in research assistance to support anyone who wants to learn more about Black history in Richmond. Staff will be available to assist while you navigate local history and genealogy materials, such as city reports, yearbooks and newspapers.

Richmond Public Library Main Branch (101 E. Franklin St)
February 6 - March 9 During regular business hours

Exhibition: Visions of Progress
Visions of Progress consists of stunning photographs of pre-Harlem Renaissance era representations of African American life.

Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia
February 10 10 am-2 pm Black History: Learning from the Past and Inspiring the Future  This free event will focus on moments in Black history and the historical perspectives of Deaf and Hard of Hearing African Americans. Attendees can explore interactive exhibits to include: the Indoor Richmond Slave Trail and Black history makers with hearing loss. There will also be guest presenters, poetry reading, performances and short films. VA Museum of History & Culture
February 12 10 am-6 pm Black Movie Monday
Grab your snacks and popcorn! Richmond Public Library will be showcasing some of the best African American movies.
Richmond Public Library Hull Street Branch (1400 Hull St)
February 15 6-7 pm

RVA Community Makers 2024 Unveiling
VMFA’s sixth annual public art project once again celebrates Black History Month with an art installation that brings together local artists and the community to honor individuals who positively impact the Metro Richmond community. Artists and creators Hamilton Glass and Unicia Buster will present this year’s public art installation—a work of tapestry and quilting to be installed alongside a quilt by Buster. Free, no tickets or registration required. Learn more about this year's honorees.

VA Museum of Fine Arts
February 17 2-4:45 pm

Black History Month Spoken Word Contest with Jamil Jasey
The “Spoken Word!” contest is open to all ages and will be hosted by Richmond DJ and Spoken Word artist Jamil Jasey. This is a free event but registration.

Richmond Public Library Hull Street Branch (1400 Hull St)
February 22 5:30-7:30 pm

African American Read-in
See and hear notable figures from the greater Richmond community as they lend their voices in prose and poetry readings throughout the galleries. In this powerful display of storytelling, experience evocative and poignant pairings of works by African American artists and authors. The National African American Read-In is sponsored by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English and endorsed by the International Literacy Association.

VA Museum of Fine Arts
February 24 11 am-12:30 pm African American Read-In for Families 
Notable figures from the greater Richmond community will read stories for children throughout the galleries. 
VA Museum of Fine Arts
February 25 - 29 12-6 pm

‘Black AF’ — A Celebration of Black History
Join the Institute for Contemporary Art and Fem in You for a celebration of Black love, joy and freedom with live performances from poets, singer-songwriters and African dancers. The event will also feature vegan soul food, Black history and local businesses run by Black and Indigenous people of color.

Institute for Contemporary Art (601 West Broad St)
February 26 10 am-6 pm Black Movie Monday
Grab your snacks and popcorn! Richmond Public Library will be showcasing some of the best African American movies.
Richmond Public Library Hull Street Branch (1400 Hull St)
February 2 3:30-4:30 pm Culture Fest
Experience the essence of Africa through performances, food, arts and crafts.
Children's Museum of Richmond
February 4 1-3 pm Open Studio Sunday: RVA Community Makers 2024
Participants of all ages can help design a large-scale quilt-inspired paper collage with Virginia artist Hamilton Glass. This collective project will later be displayed alongside a quilt by Unicia Buster. Buster’s creation will weave together the stories and passions of the 2024 honorees of RVA Community Makers, using the most timeless and transcending mediums in African American history—quilting. Free, no registration required.
VA Museum of Fine Arts
February 4 2 pm Screening of the documentary: The Central Lunatic Asylum for the Colored Insane
Written, directed, and produced by Dr. Shawn Utsey, chair of African American Studies at VCU, the documentary explores the intersection of race and health and examines the history of the first mental institution in the nation for African Americans, Central State. Registration is required and seating is limited. 
VA Museum of History & Culture
February 5 10 am-6 pm Black Movie Monday
Grab your snacks and popcorn! Richmond Public Library will be showcasing some of the best African American movies.
Richmond Public Library Hull Street Branch (1400 Hull St)

2023 RPS Black History Spotlights

Mikenzie Jones

Mikenzie is an honor roll 8th grader at Franklin Military Academy. She is a leader in classes and has aspirations of going on to get a degree in Law. She takes her academics very seriously but also is a star athlete. She plays on the JV basketball team at John Marshall. Mikenzie's favorite subject is history and today she sat down to talk to us about Black History and some people that inspire her.

Video

Andrea Bryant

Lucille M. Brown Middle School Science teacher Andrea Bryant is a true example of dedication and commitment. Listen to what she has to say about the importance of positive role models and celebrating each other.

Video

Ta'Dreama McBride

Meet Ta'Dreama McBride, a junior Open High School. Ta'Dreama believes in the importance of staying connected to our heritage and history through storytelling.

Video

Emmanuela Bekrou

Emmanuela Bekrou, a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School shares her story and reasons why we need to remember our ancestors. She is a member the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, Partnership for the Future, and various other student organizations.

Video

Philip Canady

Philip Canady is the 2022-23 Teacher of the Year Fairfield Court Elementary School. He shares his views on why it’s important to have a male role model a student’s life.

Video

Sgt. Edward Gore

Sgt. Edward Gore is the Safety and Care Specialist at Fairfield Court Elementary School. He shares acts of kindness not only during National Kindness Week but all throughout the year. 

Video

Rodney Robinson

2019 National Teacher of the Year, Rodney Robinson, is an advocate for teachers and students. He represents a small percentage of men in the education field. Listen to what he has to say about celebrating each other at RPS. 

Video

Christal Corey

2023 RPS Teacher of the Year Christal Corey talks to us about why it’s important to celebrate those who came before us. Ms. Corey comes from a family of educators and teaches science at Franklin Military Academy. She takes pride in her students and her role as a teacher. 

Video

Wendell Scott

Mr. Scott is a history teacher at Armstrong HS and the grandson of Wendell Scott, NASCAR's first black team owner and driver. Join us in learning why its important to continue celebrate our history and legacy from Mr. Scott. 

Video

Jamar Billups

Jamar Billups' passion for history started when he was a young boy in search of answers. Today, through his work at RPS as K-12 Instructional Specialist for History and Social Science, he hopes his contributions will provide answers for future generations. 

Video

Natoryae' Carter

Natoryae' Carter is a junior at Armstrong High School where she's a stage performer participating in school theater. She loves to sing, dance, act and cook. Natoryae' talks about some of her most memorable moments at Armstrong and her future plans.

Video

David Harvey

Assistant Coach David Harvey, sits down with us to share his thoughts on coaching the John Marshall Justices boys basketball team, who are making history with their national rankings and state championship titles. 

Video

Xavion Hill

Xavion Hill is a member of the National Honor Society at John Marshall High School, currently holding a 3.57 GPA. He has a passion for photography and videography and hopes to make it on the BIG screen some day. Watch this inspiring clip about Xavion and his dreams for the future. 

Video

Armstrong HS Battle of the Brains

Cassidy and Jackson are members of the first-ever Armstrong HS Battle of the Brains team. They share their experiences competing on the big stage and making history!

Video

Imani Adewale

Armstrong High School Senior Imani Adewale is a published author who has inspired other students through her book “30 Days of Self Love”. Check out her story:

Video

J'ana Price

Ginter Park ES student and author J'ana Price has turned her best-selling children's books, Loving Myself and Finding Myself, into an animated read-along. These incredible stories brought to life can be viewed on YouTube.  

VUU MLK Leaders Celebration

In January 2023, RPS principals were honored at the 45th Virginia Union University MLK Leaders Celebration. The celebration highlights leaders in the region who are making a positive impact on the community. VUU recognized RPS leaders for their the perseverance amid challenges since returning from the pandemic, but also the dedication of those who have remained steadfast in their commitment to children and families.

Aarenne Milton

Author Aarenne Milton recently paid a visit to the classroom of her former teacher, Valerie Schwarz, at Mary Munford ES. Aarenne, who is now a teacher herself, has written and published two children's books, and has started her own publishing company, One in a Million Publishing, focused on authors of color.