Skip to main content
You're logged in with MyAlex  |  Logout

City of Alexandria, VA

Search results cleared

Include archived pages
  • Live

    Make the most of Alexandria's outstanding quality of life with information and services of interest to residents.

    • Be Prepared

      Are you ready? Find resources and information to help residents, businesses and visitors to prepare for all types of emergencies, and to stay safe.

      • Flooding Preparedness
      • Snow and Ice Control
      • Hurricane Preparedness
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • Public Health Emergency
    • Community Life

      Learn more about pets and animals, schools and libraries, parks and farmers' markets, community gardens, and more.

      • Community Gardens
      • Farmers' Markets
      • Parks
      • Pets
      • Recreation
    • Get Involved

      There are many opportunities to get involved to help better the City of Alexandria. Opportunities include serving on a Board, Commission or Committee, providing input on a new City project or speaking at a City Council meeting.

      • Boards and Commissions
      • Civic Engagement Policy
      • City Academies
      • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
      • Speak at a Meeting
      • Volunteering
    • Getting Around

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
      • Bus and Rail
      • King Street Trolley
      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
      • Taxis
      • Water Taxis
    • Historic Preservation

      Historic Alexandria is a treasure trove of early structures, artifacts, and records that creates a unique way of life for its citizens and provides enjoyment for thousands of people who visit this special community every year. The City continues to add resources to its collection of local and nationally designated historic districts.

      • Alexandria History
      • Board of Architectural Review
      • Historic Alexandria
      • Historic Districts
    • Licenses & Permits

      Find out whether a permit is required, the type of permit needed, fees involved, and what requirements are necessary for the activity you want to engage in Alexandria.

      • Building & Construction
      • Business Licenses
      • Health Permits
      • Marriage Licenses
      • Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
    • Parking

      Information about parking in the City of Alexandria, including parking options, enforcement, districts and permits.

      • Contest a Parking Ticket
      • Guest Parking Permits
      • Parking Permits
      • Parking Studies
      • Parking in Old Town
      • Pay a Parking Ticket
    • Public Health & Wellness

      Alexandria is committed to ensuring our residents thrive through physical, mental, and social health.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Domestic Violence
      • Environmental Health
      • Environmental Quality
      • Health Department
      • Health Clinics
      • Sexual Assault
      • Substance Abuse Prevention
      • Substance Abuse Services
      • Teen Pregnancy Prevention
      • Teen Wellness Center
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Fire Department
      • Police Department
      • Sheriff's Office
      • Circuit Court
      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • General District Court
      • J&DR Court
      • Court Service Unit
    • Public Works

      Learn more about how the City maintains streets, sidewalks, bridges, and other infrastructure in the City.

      • Bridge Maintenance
      • Paving and Potholes
      • Sewer Maintenance
      • Street Sweeping
    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Payments
      • Personal Property/Car Tax
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Real Estate Tax
      • Tax Guide
      • Tax Relief
    • Schools & Libraries

      Did you know that ACPS is one of the most diverse school systems in the country? Our students come from more than 80 different countries, speak more than 60 languages, and represent a myriad of ethnic and cultural groups. The Alexandria Library is an educational, user-oriented service institution providing free public access to recorded knowledge and ideas.

      • Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)
      • Alexandria Library
      • Child Care
      • Higher Learning
      • Out of School Time Programs
    • Social Services

      The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Child Care Assistance
      • Homeless Services
      • Housing Resources
      • Mentoring Programs
      • Military & Veteran Services
    • Trash & Recycling

      Find information on the City's refuse, recycling and yard waste collection programs.

      • Recycling
      • Refuse Collection
      • Yard Waste
    • Utilities

      The City of Alexandria does not operate any public utilities. The following companies are the primary providers of their respective service:

      • Cable TV (Comcast / Xfinity)
      • Drinking Water (Virginia American Water)
      • Electricity (Dominion Energy)
      • Natural Gas (Washington Gas)
      • Sewage/Water Treatment (Alex Renew)
      • Wired Telephone (Verizon)
    Close Menu
  • Play

    Whether you live here or are just visiting, Alexandria is a great place to shop, dine, take in the arts, get outdoors, and just have fun.

    • About Alexandria

      If you are looking for small-town charm and big-city amenities, Alexandria is the place to find them. Alexandria has a fascinating history, and many of its historic buildings are still preserved today. The City's many historic homes, churches, businesses, and museums allow residents and visitors alike to experience the past that makes it the charming town it is today.

      • Alexandria's History
      • Demographics & Statistics
      • Maps & GIS
      • Visit Alexandria
    • Arts & Culture

      Through engaging the community, encouraging participation, and facilitating access to arts and culture, the City builds a vibrant community for its residents, workers, and visitors.

      • City Concerts
      • City Events
      • Historic Property Rentals
      • Museums & Historic Sites
      • Office of Historic Alexandria
      • Office of the Arts
    • Entertainment

      Find events and activities, shops and restaurants, concerts and performances, arts and culture, historic attractions, parks and libraries, farmers' markets, and more.

      • City Concerts
      • City Events
      • Office of the Arts
      • Visit Alexandria: Things to Do
    • Getting Around

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
      • Bus & Rail
      • King Street Trolley
      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
      • Taxis
      • Water Taxis
    • Museums & Historic Sites

      Alexandria is a desirable location to live, work and play. The City owns many of the premier historic sites in Alexandria and it is charged with the conservation, interpretation and promotion of these links to the past.

      • City Museums
      • Historic Sites & Attractions
      • Office of Historic Alexandria
    • Parks & Recreation

      Alexandria is an active community that offers more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, and a wide variety of neighborhood and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers' markets, waterfront activities and more.

      • Classes & Camps
      • Dog Parks
      • Facility & Park Rentals
      • Farmers' Markets
      • Marina & Waterfront Parks
      • ParkLink Interactive Map
      • Parks & Trails
      • Pools & Aquatics
      • Recreation Centers
      • Sports Leagues & Programs
    • Visit Alexandria

      Information about visiting Alexandria, including shopping, dining, attractions, accommodations, events listings and more. Plan your visit with an itinerary builder, interactive maps, hotel booking, online restaurant reservations and much more.

      • Group Tours
      • Meet in Alexandria
      • Plan Your Visit
      • Trip Planning Assistance
      • Visitor Center
    Close Menu
  • Services

    We are here to serve you. Browse the topics to the right to learn more about the programs and services we offer.

    • Alex311

      Connect with professional and knowledgeable staff for City service and information requests from every City department.

      • Missed Collection
      • Parking
      • Potholes
      • Street Cleaning
      • Trash & Recycling Containers
      • Trees
      • Yard Waste / Bulky Items Pickup
    • Animals

      What you need to know about animals, pets and wildlife in Alexandria.

      • Animal Adoption
      • Animal Control
      • Dog Parks
    • Buildings & Construction

      The City provides services to residents, businesses, contractors, and visitors needing permits for constructions and other developments.

      • Building Codes
      • City Code
      • Code Administration
      • Green Building
      • Land Use & Zoning
      • Permit Center
      • Permits & Land Use Applications
    • Environment

      "Green" initiatives, air quality, noise, water conservation, mosquito and rodent control.

      • Air Quality
      • Clean Waterways
      • Climate Change
      • Eco-City Alexandria
      • Green Building
      • Mosquito Control
      • Noise Control
      • Rodent Control
      • Stormwater Management
    • Jobs
      • City Government Jobs
      • Alexandria City Public Schools
      • Job Search Assistance (Workforce Development Center)
      • Collective Bargaining
    • Maps & GIS

      Geographic Information Systems (GIS) centrally manages, shares and analyzes information about locations through specialized mapping technology. This information increases transparency, improves many City technology applications and provides critical data to decision makers and the public.

      • Interactive Maps
      • Open Data
      • Standard Maps
    • Parks & Recreation

      Alexandria is an active community that offers more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, and a wide variety of neighborhood and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers' markets, waterfront activities and more.

      • Classes & Camps
      • Dog Parks
      • Facility & Park Rentals
      • Farmers' Markets
      • Marina & Waterfront
      • Parks & Trails
      • Pools & Aquatics
      • Recreation Centers
      • Sports Leagues & Programs
    • Property & Housing

      The City administers various housing-related programs and services.

      • Housing Master Plan
      • Landlord & Property Manager Resources
      • Maps & GIS
      • Office of Housing
      • Parcel Viewer
      • Real Estate Assessments
    • Public Health & Wellness

      Alexandria is committed to ensuring our residents thrive through physical, mental, and social health.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Emergency Mental Health Services
      • Environmental Health
      • Environmental Quality
      • Health Department
      • Health Clinics
      • Sexual and Domestic Violence Services
      • Substance Abuse Services
      • Teen Pregnancy Prevention
      • Teen Wellness Center
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Fire Department
      • Police Department
      • Sheriff's Office
      • Circuit Court
      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • General District Court
      • J&DR Court
      • Court Service Unit
    • Public Works

      Learn more about how the City maintains streets, sidewalks, bridges, and other infrastructure in the City.

      • Bridge Maintenance
      • Paving & Potholes
      • Sewer Maintenance
      • Street Sweeping
    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Payments
      • Personal Property/Car Tax
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Real Estate Tax
      • Tax Guide
      • Tax Relief
    • Social Services

      The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Child Care
      • Children & Families
      • Discrimination & Disabilities
      • Gang & Youth Violence Prevention
      • Homeless Services
      • Housing Assistance
      • Human Rights
      • Job Search Assistance (Workforce Development Center)
      • Mentoring Programs
      • Military & Veteran Services
    • Trash & Recycling

      Find information on the City's refuse, recycling and yard waste collection programs.

      • Recycling
      • Refuse Collection
      • Yard Waste
    • Transportation

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
      • Bus & Rail
      • King Street Trolley
      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
      • Taxis
      • Transportation Planning
    Close Menu
  • Business

    Ideally located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Alexandria is nationally recognized as one of the best places to live and do business on the east coast. Learn how we can help you start or relocate your business in Alexandria, and access resources for existing businesses and commuters.

    • Business Resources

      The City provides services and resources to help existing businesses expand within the City and promotes recruiting new businesses in Alexandria.

      • Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP)
      • Alexandria Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
      • BIPOC Small Business Program
      • Doing Business with the City
      • New Business Guide
      • Public-Private Partnerships
    • Jobs

      Alexandria offers wide range of job opportunities and services. Work for City government or City Public Schools, find out about an internship opportunity or learn about workforce development and career training options.

      • City Government Jobs
      • Job Search Assistance (Workforce Development Center)
      • Collective Bargaining
    • Licenses & Permits

      Find out whether a permit is required, the type of permit needed, fees involved, and what requirements are necessary for the activity you want to engage in Alexandria.

      • APEX Permitting & Land Use System
      • Business Licenses
      • Business Outdoor Program & Permits
      • Health Permits
      • Permit Center
      • Zoning Information
    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Business License Tax
      • Business Personal Property Tax
      • Lodging Tax
      • Meal Tax
      • Payments
      • Real Estate Assessment Search
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Sales Tax
    • Transportation

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Getting Around
      • Vehicle Registration
      • GO Alex Commuter Resources
      • Parking in Alexandria
    Close Menu
  • Government

    Learn more about Alexandria's accountable, effective, and well-managed government.

    • City Council

      The Alexandria City Council is composed of a Mayor and six Council members who are elected at-large for three-year terms. The Mayor, who is chosen on a separate ballot, presides over meetings of the Council and serves as the ceremonial head of government.

      • City Council Calendar
      • Communicate with City Council
      • Council Assignments
      • Meeting Dockets & Video
      • Speak at a Meeting
    • Boards & Commissions

      The City of Alexandria has a strong commitment to citizen participation as evidenced by the number of citizen boards and commissions established by City Council. These bodies compose a formal system through which citizens can advise City Council on all major issues affecting the City.

      • Meeting Dockets & Video
      • Apply for a Board or Commission
      • Boards & Commission Calendar
      • Boards & Commission Vacancies
      • Board of Architectural Review
      • Board of Zoning Appeals
      • Planning Commission
      • Park & Recreation Commission
      • Transportation Commission
    • Departments & Agencies

      View a list of City departments, offices and other agencies, and learn about their role in the organization.

      • City Government Departments & Offices
      • Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
      • Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
      • Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)
      • Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP)
      • Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA)
      • Alexandria Transit Company (DASH)
      • Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA)
      • Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
      • Visit Alexandria (Official Tourism Site)
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Police Department
      • Fire Department
      • Sheriff's Office
      • Courts
      • Office of Emergency Management
      • Emergency & Customer Communications
      • Community Policing Review Board
    • Elected Officials

      Alexandria voters elect a Mayor and City Council and three local officers, as well as state and federal representatives.

      • City Council
      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • Commonwealth's Attorney
      • Sheriff
      • Voting in Alexandria
    • Get Involved

      There are many opportunities to get involved to help better the City of Alexandria. Opportunities include serving on a Board, Commission or Committee, providing input on a new City project or speaking at a City Council meeting.

      • Boards & Commissions
      • City of Alexandria Academy Programs
      • Civic Engagement Policy
      • Speak at a Meeting
      • Volunteering
    • Transparency

      The City government acts with integrity in an open process, and provides timely access to clear, trustworthy information, presented and employed by all parties from the beginning to the end of the process, including the reasoning that leads to and supports the policy conclusion.

      • Operating Budget & Capital Improvement Program
      • Meeting Dockets & Video
      • Performance Analytics
      • Alexandria's Strategic Plan
      • Race & Social Equity
      • Community Policing Review Board
      • Collective Bargaining
      • City Code
      • Open Data
    Close Menu
  • Projects & Plans

    Much of our work involves creating and improving infrastructure and planning for the future. Learn more about major projects and plans here, and how you can get involved!

    • Arts & Culture

      Information about arts, culture and historic projects in the City.

      • Arts & Culture Master Plan
      • Public Art Implementation Plan
    • Development

      Information about commercial and residential development projects in the City.

      • Landmark/Van Dorn Area Planning
      • North Potomac Yard Implementation / Virginia Tech Innovation Campus
      • Potomac River Generating Station Redevelopment
    • Environmental

      Information about environmental and "green" projects in the City.

      • 500 Block N. Pitt St. Sewer Separation Project
      • Flood Action Alexandria
      • Franklin St. Sewer Relocation Project
      • Holmes Run Trail Repairs
      • Lucky Run Stream Restoration
      • Oronoco Outfall Remediation Project
      • Wheeler Ave. Sanitary Sewer Pipe Relining
      • Windmill Hill Park Project - Phase II
    • Neighborhoods

      Information about neighborhood projects in the City.

      • Alexandria West Planning
      • Duke Street and West Taylor Run Project
      • Eisenhower Avenue Metrorail Station Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
      • King-Callahan-Russell Intersection Improvement Project
      • Mount Vernon Avenue North Complete Streets
    • Parks & Recreation

      Information about parks and recreation projects in the City.

      • Beauregard Street Multi-Use Trail Project
      • Bicycle Parking
      • Eugene Simpson Park Renovation Projects
      • Joseph Hensley Park Renovation
      • Old Cameron Run Trail Project
      • Robinson Terminal South Update: Historic Ship Stabilization
    • Public Facilities

      Information about public facilities projects in the City.

      • Alexandria Waterfront
      • King Street-Old Town Metro Access Improvement Project
      • Municipal Broadband
      • Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Project
    • Social Services

      Information about social services projects and plans in the City.

      • Aging and Adult Services
      • Early Care & Education Common Agenda
      • The Partnership to Prevent & End Homelessness
    • Transportation

      Information about transportation projects and plans in and around the City.

      • Adaptive Traffic Signal Control
      • Alexandria Mobility Plan
      • Complete Streets
      • Duke Street in Motion
      • Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Project
      • Smart Mobility
      • Traffic Mitigation
      • Vision Zero
      • West End Transitway
    Close Menu
  • Calendar

    There's always something to do in Alexandria! Browse community events, government meetings and activities, and important deadlines.

    Close Menu
  • I want to…

    Use these shortcuts to perform some of the most common tasks on our site.

    • Apply
      • Building & Construction Permits
      • Business Licenses
      • City Government Jobs
      • Facility & Park Permits
      • Health Permits
      • Marriage Licenses
      • Vehicle Registration
    • Pay
      • Business License Tax
      • Business Personal Property Tax
      • Meal Tax
      • Parking Ticket
      • Personal Property/Car Tax
      • Real Estate Tax
      • Sales Tax
    • Report
      • Potholes
      • Street Light Outage
      • Tree Problem
      • Power Outage (Dominion Energy)
      • Water Main Break (Virginia American Water)
      • Natural Gas Problem (Washington Gas)
      • Cable TV/Internet Problem (Comcast)
      • Wired Telephone Problem (Verizon)
      • Discrimination Complaints
    • Request
      • Park Maintenance
      • Trash/Recycling Container
      • Yard Waste / Bulky Items Pickup
      • Public Records (FOIA)
      • Trip Planning Assistance
    Close Menu

30-Day Challenge: Alexandria Social Justice Edition!

This challenge is issued through the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project and is based on the 21-Day Anti-Racism Challenge Bexley Anti-Racism Project.
Page updated on December 28, 2021 at 4:14 PM

Cultural History

  • About Historic Alexandria
  • Alexandria Community Remembrance Project
    • Public Programs
    • Committee Meetings
    • Equal Justice Initiative
    • In Memoriam: Benjamin Thomas
    • In Memoriam: Joseph McCoy
  • Alexandria Oral History Center
  • African American History
  • Hispanic Heritage
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Women's History
  • Commissions Supporting Historic Alexandria
  • News Releases
  • Stay Connected
  • Support Historic Alexandria

Share

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook
GoogleTranslate
Google Translate
WARNING: You have chosen to translate this page using an automated translation system. This translation has not been reviewed by the City of Alexandria and may contain errors.

30-Day Challenge: Alexandria Social Justice Edition!

30-Day Challenge Calendar (summer 2020)

Build your social justice muscles! As our nation and city come to terms with their legacies of racial injustice, take the 30-Day Challenge to learn, listen, explore, and act to make positive change. Learn about our city’s important African American history to build your base of knowledge. Listen and explore to understand the struggles, triumphs, and legacies of African Americans across the nation and throughout the centuries. Act to bring equity in America and in Alexandria.

This challenge is issued through the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project (ACRP) and is based on the 21-Day Anti-Racism Challenge Bexley Anti-Racism Project. The ACRP is a City of Alexandria interdepartmental initiative managed through the Office of Historic Alexandria that is working to address social justice in our community. Active committees are made up of City staff, residents, faith leaders, and community organizations. Special thanks to the Alexandria Library for their assistance with this challenge.

This challenge was first presented in the summer of 2020, but remains relevant today. This content has been updated so that past events are clearly marked and videos are posted where available. 

View the 30-Day Challenge Calendar

30-Day Challenge

Day 1: Learn about Race and Racism

The Smithsonian Institution has two great resources to empower your anti-racism journey and inspire reflection and conversation. Reflect on your words and actions in light of these resources and start making a change!

Smithsonian Magazine article "158 Resources to Understand Racism in America.” 
National Museum of African American History and Culture - Talking about Race.

Day 2: Explore the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project

Explore the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project page and learn more about Alexandria’s partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative. EJI challenges communities to overcome racial inequality by confronting their histories and the City of Alexandria is committed to this important project. These resources include more about how to be involved locally and nationally.

Day 3: Watch "An Outrage"

Watch An Outrage on the history of lynching in the American South. This documentary weaves the perspectives of descendants, community activists, and scholars and serves as both an education tool and a call to action.

The film is streaming free, with a teaching guide and community discussion guide.

Day 4: Visit Wrought, Knit, Labors, Legacies

See portions of Olalekan Jeyifous’ installation, Wrought, Knit, Labors, Legacies on view at 1609 Cameron Street, near the Old Town Pool. The sculptural work was installed at Waterfront Park through November 2020.

This installation features symbols representing Alexandria’s merchant and manufacturing past while acknowledging the integral role of enslaved and free Black men and women in the port’s history. Can’t make it out in person? This important piece has been covered by a variety of news outlets. Here’s a very short selection.

  • Architectural Digest
  • Forbes
  • ‘Wrought, Knit, Labors, Legacies’. Out of the Attic, Alexandria Times, April 4, 2020.

Day 5: Learn about the Domestic Slave Trade

Alexandria played a major role in perpetuating and expanding the domestic slave trade in the United States. Read the Smithsonian Magazine article “Retracing Slavery’s Trail of Tears” to learn more about the domestic slave trade. The forced march overland to New Orleans began at 1315 Duke Street, now the Freedom House Museum. While the museum is currently closed, visit its website to learn more about the people trafficked through Alexandria and Alexandria’s role in the domestic slave trade. Share something you learned on your social media channels.

Day 6: Participate in Discussion about Race and Education in the City of Alexandria

This program was presented virtually on August 5, 2020 at 7 PM 

Join ACPS Superintendent Dr. Gregory Hutchings and Georgetown Professor Dr. Douglas Reed as they unpack structural racism throughout the history of Alexandria’s education system and identify pathways toward equity in a post-pandemic world. Share this film with your friends and family and use this community discussion guide to spark meaningful conversations about lynching’s painful legacy and its reverberations in the present.

Day 7: Listen to the 1619 Podcast

In 2019, the New York Times published the groundbreaking “1619” series. Listen to an episode from its companion audio series, hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones, that examines the long shadow of American slavery.

Day 8: Join a Diversity Book Club

This program was presented virtually on August 10, 2020 at 7:00 PM 

Read Octavia Butler's Kindred and then join the virtual discussion hosted by Alexandria City Public Libraries. The first science fiction title written by a black woman, Kindred has become a cornerstone of black American literature. This combination of slave memoir, fantasy, and historical fiction is a novel of rich literary complexity.

Day 9: Join a Black Lives Matter Book Club

This program was presented virtually on August 9, 2020 at 3:00 PM

Read one of the following suggested books and then join the virtual discussion hosted by Alexandria City Public Libraries. Suggested books include:

  • So you Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
  • How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X Kendi
  • White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
  • Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Day 10: Participate in The Legacy of George Floyd Collecting Initiative

Donate your photographs and protest memorabilia to The Legacy of George Floyd collecting initiative through the Office of Historic Alexandria’s Black History Museum.

Day 11: Learn more about Loving vs. Virginia

In June 1958, Mildred and Richard Loving were married in Washington, D.C. but only a month later, were arrested in Virginia and charged with miscegenation, a felony offense. The Lovings brought a suit against the Commonwealth for its ban on interracial marriage and by June of 1967, they received the news that the Supreme Court had decided the case unanimously in their favor. Learn more about this pivotal case through Encyclopedia Virginia and from Alexandria lawyer Philip Hirschkop who worked on the case.

Day 12: Remember Benjamin Thomas

This program was held virtually on August 8, 2020

Participate remotely in the August 8th Remembrance of Benjamin Thomas, Alexandria’s second known lynching victim. As part of this community reflection, share your thoughts, artwork, or creative writing after viewing the information on this In Memoriam page. Email your work to Historic Alexandria. Selections will be posted on the In Memoriam page.

In Memoriam: 2020: Benjamin Thomas

Day 13: Explore BIPOC Resources on Mental Health from ADAA

The American Association of Anxiety and Depression (ADAA) is committed to promoting inclusion in mental health. Explore a broad variety of resources the ADAA posted for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Awareness Month in July.

Day 14: Watch Gladys Davis Interview

The 2020 interview is no longer available online.

Watch Rose Dawson, Executive Director of the Alexandria Library, interview Gladys Davis. Ms. Davis witnessed the 1939 Alexandria library sit-in, and she worked for the Alexandria Library system for over 60 years.

Watch a 2013 interview with Ms. Davis.

Day 15: Participate in Discussions about Race Relations in Alexandria

This program was presented virtually on August 13, 2020 at 7:00 PM

Matt Harris, Chair of the Human Rights Commission, will discuss his experiences on the commission, his personal observations on race relations in Alexandria, and thoughts on how to knit our community together.  

Day 16: Read Local African American Stories

Read Oral Histories from Alexandria African Americans compiled by the Office of Historic Alexandria. Learn more about the everyday lives of Black men and women during various periods in Alexandria history. Hear stories of the dreams they fulfilled and the challenges they faced.

Day 17: Understand Bias

Think you’re not biased? Take this hidden bias quiz sponsored by Teaching Tolerance and learn more about yourself.

Day 18: Visit Contrabands & Freedmen Cemetery Memorial

Honor the memories of African Americans who escaped slavery and took refuge in Alexandria during the Civil War. Watch the National Trust for Historic Preservation video The Forgotten: The Contraband of America and the Road to Freedom and then visit the Contrabands & Freedmen Cemetery Memorial.

Day 19: Visit Fort Ward to Learn about The Fort Community

Visit Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site. Widely known as one of the largest Union forts in the Defenses of Washington, this land also became home to “The Fort,” a community of formerly enslaved people who settled near the abandoned fort after the Civil War. You can walk The Fort Heritage Trail and consider what this community meant to those who lived and worked here throughout its history. Share your thoughts on social media to raise awareness of this historic African American neighborhood.

Day 20: Join the Virtual Pre-K Story Time about Equality, Justice and Inclusion

These programs were presented virtually on August 18 and 25, 2020 at 4:00 PM

Looking for ways for your little ones to explore themes of Equality, Justice, and Inclusion? Join the library’s two-part Virtual Pre-K Story Time, featuring “Woke: a young poet’s call to Justice” and celebrating ourselves and others in the books we all share.

Day 21: Learn more about Food Insecurity

Food insecurity impacts people of color at higher rates than the white population. Read the articles below to learn more about food disparities for people of color. Then make a donation to Alive - an Alexandria organization that has assisted with food insecurity since the 1960s.

  • Even in a prosperous city like D.C., many still go hungry, report finds
  • Where Eating Healthy Means Trekking Out Of A Food Desert

Day 22: Learn more about African-American Genealogy Research

This program was presented virtually on August 25, 2020 at 7:00 PM

Stephen Hammond, a descendant of Alexandrian William Anderson Syphax who was born enslaved and later purchased his and his family's freedom, will provide insight on the basics of African-American family history research and how it is different from other genealogy research. He will discuss the experience of researching his own family history and will share some of the interesting documents he has discovered along his journey.

Day 23: Learn more about Juneteenth

Want to understand more about Juneteenth? Watch the Virginia Humanities webinar Self Preservation: A Juneteenth Online Conversation About Black Historic Preservation. Then listen to Audrey Davis, Alexandria Black History Museum’s Director, talk about the history of this significant date in American History.

Watch The Washington Revels Jubilee Voices ensemble's 2021 Juneteenth performance. The ensemble is committed to the preservation of African-American history and traditions–presenting songs and stories of struggle and perseverance, trials and triumphs, as expressed through a cappella music, drama and dance. This performance was in partnership with the Office of Historic Alexandria, Alexandria Black History Museum.

Day 24: Learn about Racial Disparities during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed racial disparities in the African American community. Learn more about these inequities.

Day 25: Watch Barbara Ferguson Interview

The video link is no longer current.

Watch Rose Dawson, Executive Director of the Alexandria Library, interview Barbara Ferguson. Ms. Ferguson was one of the first African American staff members at the Alexandria library.

Day 26: Visit the Edmomson Sisters Sculpture

Visit the Edmonson Sisters sculpture at 1701 Duke Street and learn more about their daring escape attempt on the schooner The Pearl and its Alexandria connection.

Day 27: Watch Library Sit-In Descendants Panel

In 1939, a "sit-down strike" was staged by five young African-American men in the city’s segregated Queen Street Library. The young men were arrested for their act of civil disobedience, however the City responded to the African-American citizens demands for more access to educational opportunities. Watch footage from the sit-in descendants' program held in October 2019.

Day 28: Visit the Alexandria African American Heritage Park

Take a walk along the trail in the African American Heritage Park. See a late-19th century African American cemetery, admire the sculptures by Jerome Meadows, and look across Hoof’s Run to Alexandria National Cemetery where over 200 troops from the US Colored Troops are buried.

Day 29: Celebrate Parker Gray!

September 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the Parker-Gray School. Learn more about African American education in Alexandria by viewing two newly digitized collections online: Parker-Gray School and Carlton Funn. Read Alexandria native Mable T. Lyle’s book Caught Between Two Systems: Desegregating Alexandria’s Schools 1954-1973 to learn more about desegregation in Alexandria.

Day 30: Commemorate the Alexandria Sit-in with a Library Card

Visit your local library to open your horizons and get a new or replacement library card commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Alexandria Library Sit-in. Newly ordered sit-in anniversary library cards will be made available to new and existing library account holders. Starting August 1, 2020 patrons may call, email, or come in to exchange their library cards. This is also available through curbside pickup.

  • Equity
  • Historic Alexandria
Contact Us
Alex311 | 703.746.4311
Follow Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Visitor Information

VisitAlexandriaVA.com

  • Emergency Hotlines
  • Social Media
  • Privacy & Legal
  • FOIA Requests
  • Departments
  • Jobs
  • Payments

Alexandria City Hall
301 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

City of Alexandria Seal
© 1995–2021 City of Alexandria, VA and others
Hold on, redirecting...