The City of Alexandria Hosts Street Rededication Breakfast Honoring Moses Stevens

Page updated on July 14, 2026 at 2:24 PM
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On Saturday, July 11, Mayor Alyia Gaskins, members of the City Council Naming Committee, and staff from the Office of Historic Alexandria hosted a Rededication Ceremony at the Alexandria Black History Museum to honor Moses Stevens’s legacy and celebrate his descendants. 

Moses Stevens was a pioneering Black entrepreneur in post-Civil War Alexandria. He operated a successful livery business, founded Mt. Jezreel Baptist Church, and was among the first in the city to adopt both telephone and automotive infrastructure.  

Speakers included Mayor Gaskins, author and historian Char McCargo Bah, and family members of Moses Stevens.

"Moses Stevens built a church, built a business, and built something real for this community,” said Mayor Alyia Gaskins. “Now, we get to see his story reflected in our streets, and I'm grateful we get to do it with his family here with us."

More information on Moses Stevens’ life is available in the 2019 Alexandria Gazette Packet article “Life and Times of the Livery Man: The story of Moses Stevens” by Char McCargo Bah, a published author, freelance writer, independent historian, genealogist, and Living Legend of Alexandria.

Street Renaming in Alexandria

This celebration is part of the City’s multi-year Street Renaming and Rededication process. This rededication of Stevens St. removes honors previously granted to a Confederate figure and uplifts an individual whose contributions reflect Alexandria's present-day values, a symbolic but meaningful milestone for our community.

No changes to addresses, mailing information, voter registration, or official documents are required for this rededication.  

More information about the multi-year project is available at alexandriava.gov/StreetRenaming. 

A group of people stands together indoors, holding a street sign labeled "N Stevens St - Moses Stevens." They appear to be in a museum or exhibit space with informational displays in the background, including one about Moss H. Kendrix. Chairs are arranged in rows, and some attendees are seated, smiling at the camera.
A person speaking at a podium in a room decorated with posters. One poster features historic photographs. People in the audience are visible, with one wearing a yellow head covering.
A group of five people standing in front of a display with the text "WHAT THE PUBLIC THINKS – COUNTS!" They are holding a green street sign that reads "N Stevens - Moses Stevens St." The background includes historical photos, and there are plants on both sides.
Three people stand on a wooden stage holding a "N Stevens St" street sign with "Moses Stevens" written underneath. Behind them is a display featuring historical photos, with a wall sign that reads "What the Public Thinks - Counts!" and a logo with the letters "MK".
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A group of people stands together indoors, holding a street sign labeled "N Stevens St - Moses Stevens." They appear to be in a museum or exhibit space with informational displays in the background, including one about Moss H. Kendrix. Chairs are arranged in rows, and some attendees are seated, smiling at the camera.
Dozens gathered on Saturday, July 11, to re-dedicate Stevens St. to Moses Stevens.
A person speaking at a podium in a room decorated with posters. One poster features historic photographs. People in the audience are visible, with one wearing a yellow head covering.
Sharon Jones-Frazier speaks at the Moses Stevens Re-dedication event on Saturday, July 11.
A group of five people standing in front of a display with the text "WHAT THE PUBLIC THINKS – COUNTS!" They are holding a green street sign that reads "N Stevens - Moses Stevens St." The background includes historical photos, and there are plants on both sides.
Gretchen Bulova, Julia Goldson, Sharon Jones-Frazier, Dr. Helen Patricia Lee Virgil, and Audrey Davis pose with the new Stevens St. sign.
Three people stand on a wooden stage holding a "N Stevens St" street sign with "Moses Stevens" written underneath. Behind them is a display featuring historical photos, with a wall sign that reads "What the Public Thinks - Counts!" and a logo with the letters "MK".
Julia Goldson, Sharon Jones-Frazier, and Dr. Helen Patricia Led Virgil.