Black in the Burg

The Legacy Museum of African American History, in preparation for a new exhibit, “Visual Voices: A Celebration of African American Artists from Lynchburg and Surrounding Areas” opening August 4, 2017, extends an invitation to all artists, friends of artists and collectors to come to a gathering on February 8, 2017. Legacy Museum is looking for talented African American artists, in the larger community, to be represented in this exhibition.

All mediums are welcome, both 2-d and 3-d.  With the help and input of the community, we can celebrate and explore as many artists’ voices and modes of visual expression as possible; with the end result being a comprehensive exhibition featuring these talented artists.

WHEN:  February 8th (snow date February 15th) at 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: The Legacy Museum, 403 Monroe Street, Lynchburg

Brooke Marcy, the Curator at Riverviews Artspace and an Adjunct Professor of Art at Randolph College, is the guest curator for this exhibition. Brooke will be available at the meeting to speak with artists, friends of artists and collectors. Please contact her if you have any questions or if you are unable to attend but have recommendations of artist or work. Email: [email protected]

Legacy Museum of African American History

(434) 845-3455

Lynchburg, VA – On Saturday, November 5th, at Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, VA, community leaders, students, advocates, nonprofit agencies, community groups and interested individuals will convene for the 4th Annual Race, Poverty & Social Justice Conference sponsored by Many Voices, One Community (MVOC) and the Department of Sociology at Lynchburg College.

The program begins at 9 a.m. in Drysdale Student Center at Lynchburg College; registration at 8 a.m.

Luncheon keynote speaker will be Kim Forde-Mazrui, current Professor of Law and Director, Center for the Study of Race and Law at University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. Forde-Mazrui earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School. His scholarly work has focused on equal protection, especially involving race and sexual orientation. He has authored numerous articles in prestigious law journals, including the University of Chicago Law Review, the California Law Review, the Michigan Law Review, and Georgetown Law Journal.

At Virginia, the Black Law Students Association has twice awarded him the Service to BLSA Award. UVA’s Office of Equal Opportunity Programs named him an "EOP Champion" in 2009, and UVA selected him as the winner of the 2013 John T. Casteen III Diversity-Equity-Inclusion Leadership Award.

Special guest panel moderator will be Tamura Lomax, educator, writer and social justice advocate. She received her Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University in Religion where she specialized in Black Religion and Black Diaspora Studies. She also developed expertise in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies and Black British and U.S. Black Cultural Studies. In 2014 she published Womanist and Black Feminist Responses to Tyler Perry’s Cultural Productions (Palgrave Macmillan), a co-authored edited volume with Rhon S. Manigault-Bryant and Carol B. Duncan, and is presently finishing up her first single-authored monograph, Jezebel Unhinged: Loosing the Black Female Body in Black Religion and Black Popular Culture (Duke University Press). 

This is the fourth MVOC-sponsored conference to be held in Lynchburg.  In addition to the lunch keynote speaker, the one-day program will feature workshops coordinated with the local community and organizations in and outside of Central Virginia.  Workshops will cover such topics as restorative justice and youth engagement through entrepreneurship, equity and health fair, intersection of race & gender, and affordable housing, social justice theater, dialect diversity, black lives matter, being an ally, arts and social justice and assessing campus climate

Created in 2007 and formerly known as the Community Dialogue on Race & Racism, Many Voices, One Community has as its mission the creation of a racially equitable community where race and/or ethnicity are not predictors of success in any aspect of life and where public policies, institutional practices and social structures no longer favor one group of people over another.

Through conference workshops and keynote speeches, attendees will learn about a variety of approaches to forwarding racial and social justice and will gain a deeper understanding of how to create a more equitable community.

Registration is $20 for adults; the fee includes lunch. Students with a College ID may attend without charge. A limited number of scholarships are available. Register online at www.LynchburgTickets.com. For more information, visit www.mvoc.com or contact [email protected] or (434)455-3964.

August 8, 2016

The Legacy Museum will host Dr. Lisa Aubrey from the University of Yaounde in the Cameroon, West Africa  on Tuesday, August 16 from 7:00-8:30 pm.  The Legacy Museum is located at 403 Monroe Street, Lynchburg.

 Dr. Aubrey’s topic,  Roots and Reconnection: African Diaspora’s Enslavement Still Unearthing Itself,  focuses on current research  on the Cameroon and Transatlantic Slave Trade.  She has located a slave trade site in the area of Bimbia in Southwest Cameroon which is drawing international attention, and which was recently recognized by the Cameroon government as National Historic and Heritage Site, the first of its kind in the country.

Dr. Aubrey is also working toward UNESCO recognition of Bimbia as a World Heritage Site.  To date, she has been able to trace nearly 200 slave ship voyages that left the Cameroon territory in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.  For many of these slave ship voyages, she has also traced their Diaspora disembarkations, and as well as many names and probable ethnicities of the enslaved.  

Dr. Aubrey is working with the Cameroon and USA governments and civil society to further research on the Bimbia slave trade site, for its global recognition and historic preservation.  She has explained this work in a number recent publications and media presentations.  

Currently, Dr. Aubrey is a United States Fulbright Scholar to Cameroon for the academic years 2014-16, where she is based at the University of Yaounde I.

She  divides her time between the USA and several African countries throughout the continent where she organizes institutional collaborations and Africa-Diaspora reconnection pilgrimages.  She is an Associate Professor of African and African American Studies and Political Science at Arizona State University where she teaches courses on politics, development, Diaspora, Africa's slave trades, democratization, civil society, research methodologies, and gender in Africa and the African Diaspora.

Dr. Aubrey also serves as the National President of the African Heritage Studies Association, a professional organization of scholars of African descent dedicated to the exploration, preservation, and academic presentation of the heritage of African peoples on the ancestral soil of Africa and in the diaspora.

For additional information on Dr. Aubrey research: www.exposingbimbia.com

Dr. Aubrey’s visit is being sponsored by the Legacy Museum, Black in the Burg, and the African Heritage Studies Association.

When many black men see themselves portrayed in the media today, it is often in the form of a mugshot or a hashtag.

These dominant and pervasive images provoke an inescapable inflection on the nation's psyche; an imprint that distills the identity of black men to nothing more than "dangerous" and "uneducated."

With that in mind, I would like to take this time to do our part to try to change this image!

 Calling all local brothas. Will you help?

Who: YOU

What: 100 Black Men cheer on students for the first day of school

When: Monday, July 25, 2016, 7:45 a.m.

Where? Bass Elementary School, 1730 Seabury Ave, Lynchburg, VA 24501

Why: We need to get involved in our community! Let’s get together and let the kids in our community know we believe in them.

It has been a historic week for Black women in Lynchburg with the appointments of three Black women to prominent leadership positions within the City. We would like to take a moment to congratulate them on their appointments and wish them well in of their respective new roles.

Charleta Mason, Director of Pauline F. Maloney STEP with Links Program, was appointed to the Lynchburg City School Board, District 2.

Heather Brown, appointed as Interim Human Resources Director for the City of Lynchburg.

Central Virginia Community College is pleased to offer an exciting line-up of career exploratory camps for elementary - high school students for the summer of 2016. Harnessing the power of STEM education and experiential learning, student participants in the 2016 Career Academies will gain valuable skills as they learn from field experts in some of the most in-demand careers now and in the future!

2016 CVCC Career Academy Opportunities

Black Rocket Computer Camps (open to ages 8-14) Two sessions will be offered for each week of camp. Availability will include a morning session from 8:30-11:30 a.m. for ages 8-11 and an afternoon session from 12:30-3:30 p.m. for ages 12-14. App Attack - July 18-22, 2016 at CVCC Main Campus ($160/student) Code Breakers - July 25-29, 2016 at CVCC Main Campus ($160/student) Make Your First Video Game - August 1-5, 2016 at CVCC Main Campus ($160/student) Minecraft Modders - July 11-15, 2016 at CVCC Main Campus ($160/student)

Middle School Academies (rising 6th-8th graders) Aviation - two sessions available- June 6-10 and June 13-17, 2016 at Liberty University School of Aviation ($160/student) Culinary Master Chef - August 3-5, 2016 at CVCC Main Campus ($140/student) Emergency! (EMS) - July 13-15, 2016 at CVCC Main Campus ($140/student) Entrepreneurship - June 27-29, 2016 at CVCC Main Campus ($140/student) Explore Engineering - July 20-22, 2016 at CVCC Main Campus ($140/student) Advanced Manufacturing - August 1-5, 2016 at CVCC Main Campus ($160/student) Robots! - August 3-5, 2016 at CVCC Main Campus ($140/student) Website Design - July 27-29, 2016 at CVCC Main Campus ($140/student)

High School Academies (rising 9th-10th graders) Advanced Engineering - July 13-15, 2016 at EC Glass High School ($140/student) Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) - July 20-22, 2016 at CVCC Main Campus ($140/student) Culinary Master Chef - July 27-29, 2016 at CVCC Main Campus ($140/student) Robots! - July 27-29, 2016 at CVCC Main Campus ($140/student)

Registration will open April 1st

How to Register:

To register and pay electronically:

Visit https://cvcc.augusoft.net/

Create a user profile

Register for desired 2016 Summer Academies

Make your payment Online electronically

A hard copy of the Student Information Form, Assumption of Risk Form, and Photography/Video Release Form is required for all participants. Please download the packet, complete the forms, and submit via email to [email protected] or mail to CVCC Workforce Solutions, Attn. Debra Short, 3506 Wards Road, Lynchburg Virginia 24502.

To register by phone:

Please contact Workforce Development Administrative Office Specialist, Debra Short, by calling 434-832-7622.

Download the student packet.

Please sign and return the Student Information Form, Assumption of Risk Form, and Photography/Video release form via email to [email protected] or mail to CVCC Workforce Solutions, Attn. Debra Short, 3506 Wards Road, Lynchburg Virginia 24502.

To register in person: Visit our main office at 5108 Merritt Hall on the CVCC Main Campus located at 3506 Wards Road during business hours.

CVCC Career Academy Scholarships A limited quantity of camp scholarships is available. Students with a financial need for camp participation will receive priority. Please download and complete the application and mail/email to CVCC, Workforce Solutions, Attn. Debra Short, 3506 Wards Road, Lynchburg Virginia 24502 [email protected].

2016 CVCC Career Academies Camp Packet

2016 CVCC Career Academies Student Packet

2016 CVCC Career Academies Scholarship Application

Should you have specific questions regarding the Summer Academy Program, please feel free to contact:

Elizabeth Narehood, Workforce Development Coordinator at 434-832-7606 [email protected]

Debra Short, Workforce Development Program Specialist at 434-832-7622 [email protected].  

Save the Date: National Coalition of 100 Black Women Interest Meetings

Are you ready for change?

 Are you an advocate?

 Are you willing to serve your community UNAPOLOGETICALLY for women and girls of color?

If you have strengths and passions in public policy, economic empowerment, physical and mental health, education, single moms, and mentoring our young Queens, then this is the space of empowerment and community opportunity for you!

Dates/Times: Saturday, April 16, from 3-4 p.m. and Saturday, April 23, from 2-3 p.m. (You do not have to attend both meetings. The two dates are merely for convenience for those that may not be able to attend the first one).

The location on both dates: The Gr8 Pl8 Café & Lounge located inside the flea market at 1415 Kemper Street, Lynchburg VA.

A native of Lynchburg and member of the 100 Black Women chapter in Charlotte, NC will be present to answer any additional questions you may have on April 16, however, she will not be present on the 23rd.

For more information the interest meeting contact Charmagne Scott at via email at [email protected]

National Minority Health Month 2016 Every Community Deserves Good Health

Did you know that your zip code can be a predictor of your health? So can your place of birth, where you work and play, your income and education, and a host of other factors – in addition to the choices you make each day about what to eat when to work out and whether or not to see a doctor. These factors, what public health professionals recognize as “social determinants of health,” are linked to the inequities in health and health care (health disparities), among racial and ethnic minorities in America.

During National Minority Health Month each April, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Office of Minority Health (OMH)

leads the nation in raising awareness about these disparities, their causes and the impact they have on minority communities and on the nation as a whole.

Health disparities exact a devastating toll on the productivity and economic growth of our nation, which makes this an issue of importance to all Americans. Over $50 billion of indirect medical costs resulting from illness are attributable to health inequalities.

The theme of this year’s National Minority Health Month observance – Accelerating Health Equity for the Nation – reflects both a sense of urgency and a sense of determination in moving the country forward toward health equity. That same urgency and determination in 1985, led a group of concerned health care leaders to convene the first comprehensive federal study of the health status of racial ethnic minorities. The results of the groundbreaking Report of the Secretary's Task Force on Black and Minority Health (Heckler Report) quickly ushered in a new era in addressing minority health issues and led to the establishment of OMH in 1986.

There has been progress in the decades since – for example, life expectancy gaps are narrowing, and all Americans, including racial and ethnic minorities, are living longer than ever before. Advances in science and access to quality health care have produced considerable improvements in the health of the nation, because of the Affordable Care Act, the HHS Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities and the National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities. Despite these advances, disparities persist for minority populations when compared to non-Hispanic whites and are evident in higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS and infant mortality, among other conditions.

The HHS Office of Minority Health is leading efforts to promote and institutionalize the extraordinary steps taken by HHS and the Obama Administration to reduce disparities, advance equity and strengthen our nation as a whole by prioritizing high-quality education, safe neighborhoods, quality housing, reliable transportation, clean air, stable employment and nutritious foods for all Americans.

This year, as OMH celebrates its 30th anniversary, a renewed effort is underway with public and private sector partners and stakeholders to accelerate achieving health equity for the nation through the development of research, policies, programs and legislation. This is a national movement that needs your support.

Every community deserves good health. Everyone can join OMH and its federal, state, tribal and local community partners during April and throughout 2016, in accelerating health equity for the nation.

YouthWorks will host a Get-To-Work Information Session for Out-of-School Youth ages 18-24, Thursday, March 3rd, 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the YouthWorks Center, 1516 Florida Avenue (next to Jubilee Family Development Center). 

If you know a young person between the ages 18-24 who needs to earn their GED, or they have already earned their high school diploma but they still need career guidance, please encourage them to attend the Get-to-Work Information Session. 

We are seeking Out-of-School Youth (18-24) from the City of Lynchburg and the Counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell. Once enrolled in the YouthWorks Program, youth will receive career assessments/coaching, job readiness training, and the opportunity to receive training/education credentials in a high-demand career path. Health Care, IT, Construction careers are just a few of the training opportunities we provide. 

The goal is to help youth in the community earn credentials that lead to high-wage paying jobs. There is no substitute for hard work - Youth need a plan and a pathway to success - YouthWorks provides both! 

Lynchburg – Lynchburg City Schools is excited to welcome Amazing Grace Outreach Church to the school division’s growing list of Partners In Education (PIE).

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held to honor this new partnership on Wednesday, February 24 at 3 p.m. at Hutcherson Early Learning Center. The media is invited to attend.

This partnership between Amazing Grace Outreach Church and Lynchburg City Schools is provided to support the Hutcherson Early Learning Center students by sending nutritious food home with students.

Major objectives:

·         To provide food for the weekend/holiday/summer breaks to students

·         To help students enter the school week ready to learn

·         To support the mission and vision of Amazing Grace Outreach Church by providing outreach opportunities.

Major activities:

·         Amazing Grace Outreach Church will purchase supplies

Partnership coordinators:

·         Dr. Delgardo Linthicum, Senior Pastor

·         Kelly Cecil, MSN, MHA, RN – Executive Assistant, Director of Nursing Ministries

·         Amazing Grace Outreach Church

·         Polly P. Smith, Principal

·         Hutcherson Early Learning Center

·         Lynchburg City Schools

Partners In Education is a joint venture between Lynchburg City Schools and the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce. Officially started on September 3, 1990, this program has been designed to create links between the school division and area businesses. In the more than 20-year history of the program, Lynchburg City Schools has partnered with over 250 area businesses, organizations, and institutions.

Contact: Cindy Babb, Public Information

The Legacy Museum of African American History is pleased to present Linda Crichlow White, on Saturday, May 30th, 2015 at 2pm, for a book discussion and signing.  The event will be held at the Legacy Museum of African American History, 403 Monroe Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504.  

Recorded by native Washingtonian Marietta Crichlow, this book chronicles stories of some Glovers, Garlands, Stevens, Crichlows and others… beginning before the Civil War and tied to Appomattox County; Nelson and Amherst Counties; Lynchburg, VA, and continuing into the 20th century to Duquesne, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC. The Brown family of Bedford Avenue in Lynchburg (Edward, Mildred, Carolyn, Edwina and others) are part of this family and figure prominently in the story. Marietta and family are descended from people who were enslaved by Wilmer McLean at Appomattox Court House. Marietta tells of some of the roads the family took over the years. Filled with lots of primary source documents, this book will provide you with ideas f how to document your family history.

The Legacy Museum is dedicated to enriching the lives of local residents and museum visitors by fostering and stimulating an appreciation of the diversity of the African American experience in Lynchburg and surrounding counties/cities. Collecting such items or information is vital to our undertaking. If you have any suggestions or objects you want to share to assist us, please contact the Curator or Museum Administrator.

Lynchburg –We are concerned about the coverage this matter is getting in the news media, but we’re at a distinct disadvantage in responding.  We cannot reply to all of the specific allegations that have been made because the law doesn’t allow us to discuss the specifics regarding the child or the court proceedings.

The public is only hearing one side of the story, and based on our investigation of this matter, the incident did not take place in the manner in which it was portrayed in the news media, and the story is inaccurate in a number of respects.

SROs play an important role in the school division, and we have and will continue to work together on procedures for when SROs should become involved in incidents involving students.  We feel they are being unfairly portrayed in this matter.

Contact: Cindy Babb, Public Information

Photo credit: Charlie Archambault/Center for Public Integrity

An excerpt from the Change.org petition: Virginia 6th grader Kayleb Moon-Robinson has been grossly mistreated by his school district and by the juvenile justice system. Robinson, who is on the autism spectrum and was 11 years old at the time, was charged this fall by a police officer who worked on campus and convicted of a misdemeanor for "disorderly conduct"  for the mere act of kicking a trash can during a meltdown at school. When the same officer grabbed Kayleb to forcibly bring him to the principal's office after a minor infraction a few weeks later, Kayleb resisted by pushing the officer away- and was arrested. “He grabbed me and tried to take me to the office,” said Kayleb in an article written by the Center for Public Integrity (CPI). “I started pushing him away. He slammed me down, and then he handcuffed me.”More disturbingly, in addition to the misdemeanor Kayleb has also been convicted of a felony for "assault against a police officer."This felony will negatively impact Kayleb's ability to obtain jobs, housing, and other opportunities in the future. Kayleb, a boy of small stature who wears glasses, was unarmed, posed no threat to the officer, and does not deserve to have his life ruined because he has a disability.”