February marks the start of Black History Month

As a church that focuses on neighborhood and cross-cultural community, I would encourage you not let this month pass by without taking advantage of some of these opportunities to engage and learn.

Here are some suggestions of events that are happening in DC. If you know of others, please let me know.

Vola Ranaivoson, Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator

 

DC JUSTICE WALKING TOUR – FEBRUARY 17, 2019

Join us for the DC Justice Walking Tour of U Street on February 17, 2019. After church, we’ll grab some lunch at Oohs and Aahs on U street, then from 2:00-4:00PM we start walking. The DC Justice Walking U Street will have an emphasis on black history including the African American Civil War Memorial, Duke Ellington's house, the site of the riots of 1968, Busboys and Poets, and St Augustine's Church. We’ll engage with the neighborhood, looking at historic and current justice issues. Kids are welcome to join. Dress warmly.

There is a 25 person limit on the walking tour so please RSVP at link above or here.  If you have any questions, please contact Vola at Vola@gracemeridianhill.org

(Note: we could do also do this with other neighborhoods, if people want to research and map out significant locations around the neighborhood that have been places of history, places of joy or pain that have shaped that neighborhood, share them with me, and we could even make it a communal learning/lamenting time, and map a walk that goes strategically through each neighborhood)

 

CHOCOLATE CITY?: RACE, CULTURE AND FAITH IN WASHINGTON DC - FEBRUARY 23, 2019

GMH Cross Cultural Team would like to invite you to a joint event with the GDT Cultural Intelligence Team. What does it mean to live in Washington, DC? How does the past shape the city we have today? Once considered Chocolate City due to its cultural makeup of primarily African Americans, DC has a complicated and fascinating history. What role have churches played, and what role should our church play? Come hear from Dr. George Derek Musgrove, the co-author of Chocolate City: The History of Race and Democracy in the Nation’s Capital. After his talk, there will be ample time for Q&A. This is an incredible opportunity to engage with a local expert and consider these questions as a community. Sat Feb 23, 11:00 am. Location: TBD.

Contact Anna Laura Grant for more info.

 

NATIONAL MUSUEM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY & CULTURE  

Visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Go by yourself or gather a group together and take your time going from floor to floor (if possible, make multiple trips) learning, lamenting and reflecting on the rich history of African American life, history, and culture.  The Museum is free, and Walk-up entries are available weekdays during the month of February, however you will need timed passes on the weekends.

 

FAMILY DAY: AFRICAN AMERICAN PIONEERS IN AVIATION AND SPACE ~ FEBRUARY 9, 2019

Celebrate African American History Month at the National Air and Space Museum with a family day exploring the significant contributions to flight and space exploration made by African Americans, often despite overwhelming obstacles.

Activities include a talk with Tuskegee Airman Col. Charles McGee and puppet shows and fun hands-on activities that will challenge families to be pioneers in space and aviation.

 

DC PUBLIC LIBRARY BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Visit the DC Public Library during the month of February with author talks, lectures, arts and crafts, story times and more. You can find more information on the link above, and a few highlighted below:  

Going for Freedom: True Accounts of Flight in Verse Feb. 2 at Lamond-Riggs

C.R. Gibbs African American History Series Weekly series starting on Feb. 4 at Cleveland Park

An Army of Educators Feb. 4 at Shepherd Park

Black History Month: To the Stars Feb. 14 at Woodridge

Author Talk: E. Ethelbert Miller Feb. 19 at Lamond-Riggs

Author Talk: Sonja D. Williams Feb. 23 at Cleveland Park

King and the Library: A Visioning Session Feb. 28 at Shaw

 

COMMEMORATION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH CURTIS HARRIS

Curtis Harris, a historian with American University and the Philadelphia 76ers, will be discussing his brand-new research on Anna Harrison Chase, a formerly enslaved woman who made a pilgrimage to President Lincoln's Cottage, and her family. This program will be the first-ever public opportunity to learn about Mrs. Chase's fascinating experience. This event will take place Friday February 22, 2019 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM at the Armed Forces Retirement Home - Washington DC 140 Rock Creek Church Road Northwest Washington, DC 20011. Tickets are limited!

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