The Alexandria Black History Museum will host a free lecture and book signing featuring Jeffrey Bennett, author of “The Black Belt of Virginia: Untold Stories of African American History,” on June 6. The event, which is open to the public, will begin at 11 a.m. and conclude at noon, according to an announcement on June 2.
Bennett is a writer specializing in Black history, race relations, and African diaspora studies. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Virginia Military Institute and a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University–Commerce. His work has appeared in publications including TIME, USA Today, Washington Post, Baltimore Sun, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Virginian-Pilot, Cardinal News, Danville Register & Bee, The Hellfighter Magazine, and Scalawag Magazine.
Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a moderated discussion with Bennett that includes a brief book reading followed by a meet-and-greet session. Guests can also preview the Alexandria Black History Museum during the event. The museum is located at 902 Wythe Street in Alexandria. Seating for the event is limited; reservations are encouraged through the Historic Alexandria shop.
Street parking is available near the museum and it is accessible via Braddock Road Metro station on both Yellow and Blue Lines. For reasonable disability accommodation or language interpretation services for this event or other city programs, residents may contact Nicole Quinn at historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov or call (703) 746-4554; for language access needs email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call (703) 746-3960.
The Office of Historic Alexandria preserves and shares local history through eight museums as well as historic sites and public programs across the city. “Through powerful storytelling and confronting the City’s past,” it aims to enrich present life for residents while supporting equity initiatives within municipal operations, according to the official website. These museums—including the Alexandria Black History Museum—enhance community identity by interpreting social and cultural history; they document African American heritage; incorporate racial equity into policies; operate under council-manager government; provide services within defined boundaries as an independent city; and partner with organizations for archaeological research.
