The Hippodrome Theater is located in Richmond’s Jackson Ward Historic District, considered the center of African American commerce, arts and entertainment during the early 20th Century. In the 1930′s and 1940′s, the venue attracted big stars like Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson, Ethel Waters, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Moms Mably and James Brown. The historic theater adjoins [...]
American Civil War Center | Richmond, VA
Using films, photos, contemporary quotations, and other sources, the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar, on the banks of the James River in Richmond, Virginia, is the nation’s first museum to interpret the Civil War on both the local and national levels through the perspectives Union, Confederate, and African American participants. Exhibits narrate the [...]
Virginia Civil Rights Memorial | Richmond, VA
On April 23, 1951, 16-year-old Barbara Johns and several fellow students led a strike to protest the conditions at their racially segregated school near Farmville in Prince Edward County. Under the leadership of Rev. L. Francis Griffin, students and parents contacted NAACP attorneys. The lawsuit that followed was brought before the U.S. Supreme Court and [...]
Colonial Williamsburg | Williamsburg, VA
Colonial Williamsburg consists of 301 acres encompassing 88 original buildings and hundreds of other homes, shops and public buildings. During the 18th century, half of town’s population was black. Today, visitors can immerse themselves in the the lives of these enslaved and free people at many sites, inlcuding: Great Hopes Plantation, which is located on [...]
Hampton Jazz Festival | Hampton, VA
The three day Hampton Jazz Festival features an eclectic lineup of top blues, soul, pop and jazz talent from around the world. The star-studded roster of artists scheduled to perform at this year’s 41st anniversary event includes Galdys Knight, Jill Scott, Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly, Boney James and Jonathan Butler, Kenny G, Joss Stone, Raheem Devaugn, Kem, Dave [...]
African American Heritage Festival (Afr’Am), Norfolk, VA
Sponsored by the Southeastern Virginia Arts Association, the annual African American Heritage Festival (Afr’Am) is a family celebration of the rich traditions, history and culture of African Americans and others peoples of the African Diaspora. Held along the waterfront of Norfolk, Virginia’s Town Point Park, the three-day festival attracts a local and national audience of [...]
