Celebrate Black History Month in LYH! Here are the events happening in LYH:
We will continue to update and add more events to this list as information becomes available
MLK Celebration: Guest Speaker Angela Davis – January 22nd
5:00 P.M. @ Randolph College, Smith Hall Theatre
Cost: FREE & open to the public
Randolph College’s annual celebration honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., will feature a conversation with activist and author Angela Davis. Through her activism and scholarship over many decades, Davis has been deeply involved in movements for social justice around the world. Her work as an educator—both at the university level and in the larger public sphere—has always emphasized the importance of building communities of struggle for economic, racial, and gender justice.
Wornie Reed, a professor of sociology and Africana studies at Virginia Tech and the director of its Race and Social Policy Research Center, will lead the conversation with Davis, followed by a Q&A with the audience.
A Courageous Conversation: “King Did More Than Dream” – January 24th
6:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. @ The University of Lynchburg, Memorial Ballroom, Hall Campus Center
Cost: FREE
As part of the 2024 Martin Luther King Jr. week of celebration and remembrance, we are delighted to have Penny Blue as a guest speaker. Blue is currently the Virginia program director for Red Wine and Blue, and the chief executive officer of Penny Wise Gateway LLC, which provides leadership training and consulting services. She is also the author of “A Time to Protest: Leadership Lessons from My Father Who Survived the Segregated South for 99 Years.”
MLK Unity Walk – January 27th
4:30 P.M. – 5:30 PM @ The University of Lynchburg Sindow Chapel
Cost: FREE & open to the public
Please join us for this unity walk in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We will meet in front of Snidow Chapel at 4:30 p.m. and then walk together to Hopwood Hall. We will gather together in the Hopwood Auditorium afterward.
Lynchburg Museum Exhibit – Black Portraiture – Opens February 2nd for First Friday’s
Opening Night – 5 PM-7 PM, regular hours: Mon & Thurs-Sat 10 AM – 4 PM, Sun: 12 PM – 4 PM.
Cost: FREE & open to the public
Join the Lynchburg Museum for their First Friday exhibit on Black Portraiture throughout history. This exhibit will be open through the end of February.
Black History Month Theatricalized Exhibition – February 2nd
First show begins at 5:15 PM and second show begins at 6:45 PM – The Lounge in the Lynchburg Grand Hotel
See multiple artists, musicians, vocalists, actors and creatives display and perform their work in honor of Black History Month and First Friday.
Legacy Museum of African American History in Partnership with Amazement Square “We Can Fly! – Navigating History with Tuskegee Airmen” – Every Saturday throughout February
- February 3 – We Can Fly … Dreams in Flight
Gain perspective on the historical achievements of African Americans in aviation and discover local heroes and their contributions to WWII in this program designed for students in grades six through eight. Come learn the basic principles of aerodynamics while studying terminology and evaluating design. Put your skills to the test by competing in a paper airplane contest. - February 10 – We Can Fly … Dreams in Flight
Explore the historical achievements of African Americans in aviation while viewing prints of the Tuskegee Airmen highlighting their contributions to WWII in this program designed for students in grades two through five. Put your paper airplane-creating skills to the test. Can you make your airplane fly through the target? - February 17 – We Can Fly… Double Victory
Victory abroad and victory at home is the theme of the movie Double V. Explore the experience of the Red Tails as they stood for freedom and equality with a viewing and discussion relevant to students in grades six through eight. Add your dream to the community dream board as we plot paths to reach our goals. - February 24 – We Can Fly… Wind Flyers
Learn about the magic of flight and the experience of a Tuskegee Airman as we read Wind Flyers by Angela Johnson in this program geared for students in grades two through five. Color and decorate a plane with your dreams for the future as we create a community dream board.
Step Afrika! – February 7th
7:30 P.M. @ The Historic Academy Theater
Cost: $20 – $75
Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional African dances; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. Performances are much more than dance shows; they integrate songs, storytelling, humor, and audience participation. The blend of technique, agility, and pure energy makes each performance unique and leaves the audience with their hearts pounding.
Minority Business Expo – February 9th
2:00 PM – 7 PM @ The University of Lynchburg
Cost: FREE
The University of Lynchburg’s African American Affinity Group will host its first minority business expo, “Building Communities Through Partnerships,” from 2-7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9. The event will be held in Hall Campus Center’s Memorial Ballroom.
Admission is free, the public is invited, and light refreshments will be served.
The purpose of the expo is to highlight minority-owned businesses and organizations in Central Virginia. Vendors are invited to promote their businesses or organizations and also sell their products and services.
The cost to participate is $50 per table and payment can be made here: https://payment.lynchburg.edu/minorityexpo. Six-foot-long tables will be provided to vendors, along with a tablecloth and two chairs. All vendors are required to sign a waiver. Setup begins at noon.
The registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 2.
The Space Race: Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion – February 9th
7:30 P.M., @ The Historic Academy Theatre
Cost: FREE
Celebrate Black History Month with us at a special pre-release screening of “The Space Race,” a powerful National Geographic documentary produced by astronaut Leland Melvin. The film intertwines the compelling stories of Black astronauts, including pioneers like Guion Bluford, Ed Dwight, and Charles Bolden, as they strive to overcome social injustice and reach for the stars.
Join us for an evening dedicated to honoring the achievements of African-American astronauts throughout history. Doors open at 6:30 pm with engaging prescreening activities such as letters to space, a photo booth, and more. The film starts at 7:30 pm, followed by an exclusive interview and Q&A session with Leland Melvin.
Admission is free, but tickets are required for this inspiring event. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this meaningful celebration of space exploration at the Academy.
Dianne Reeves – February 10th
Five-time Grammy winner DIANNE REEVES is the pre-eminent jazz vocalist in the world. As a result of her breathtaking virtuosity, improvisational prowess, and unique jazz and R&B stylings, Reeves received the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Performance for three consecutive recordings – a Grammy first in any vocal category.
Unity Walk – February 17th
8:00 AM 12:00 PM @ Old City Cemetery
Join us for the Annual Unity Walk presented by LAYSI honoring MLK Jr. and Local Community Leaders.
The Lynchburg Alphas Present: Mardi Gras by the James – February 24th
7:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M. @ The Historic Academy Theatre
Cost: $40-$60
The show features the “World Renowned Brass Band” No BS! Brass Band. No BS! Brass Band is a powerful brass band that braces the spirit of New Orleans into its original East Coast modern funk. Their danceable arrangements are outstandingly well thought-out and organized, drawing inspiration from funk, jazz, klezmer, calypso, and Led Zeppelin.
Also performing will be Magician/Comedian Dewayne Hill. Dewayne was named Magician of the Year in 2022 and Family Entertainer of the Year for 2021 and 2022. Comedy Magician Dewayne Hill offers non-stop magic with audience participation.
VIP Reception (available to VIP ticket holders only) features a food sampling (with food stations) of New Orleans Cuisine in the ACOA Historic Theatre lobby, New Orleans Mardi Gras music and beverages (available for purchase) and close-up table magic from act-featured in the shows Dewayne Hill. VIP Reception starts at 4 PM.