African American Activists at Black History Museum

Living Legends of Alexandria: African American Activists

to open at Alexandria Black History Museum 

 

Living Legends of Alexandria: African American Activists opens at the Alexandria Black History Museum on April 24, 2013. This exhibition is free and open to the public.  Living Legends of Alexandria is an ongoing, not-for-profit photo-documentary project created in 2006 to identify, honor and chronicle people making current history in Alexandria. 

 

Over the years, 13 African Americans have been chronicled as part of the project.  The African American Legends included in this exhibition are:  Ferdinand Day, 2007-08; Lillie Finklea, Carlton Funn Sr., Eula Miller, Melvin Miller and Bert Ransom, 2008-09; Nelson Greene Sr., 2010; Lynnwood Campbell, 2011; Lillian Patterson, Gwen Menefee-Smith and Dorothy Turner, 2012; and Willie Bailey Sr. and Rosa Byrd, 2013. The exhibition runs through August 3, 2013. 

 

Future events associated with the exhibition include:  

  

A Family Legends Workshop for children on Saturday, May 11,11 a.m.-1 pm Mother's Day)

A Family Legends Workshop for children on Saturday, June 15,11 a.m.-1 pm Father's Day

Family Legends Workshop at Black History Museum, February 2013.
Photo by Nina Tisara

  

 

Artist-Educator Sushmita Mazumdar displays books
made by students at the 2013  Meet The Legends reception.
Photo by Steven Halperson

This bookmaking workshop is a fun and informative art class designed for families with children 6 -12 years. Adults and children work together to choose a “legend” in their family, write their story, and make it into a handmade storybook to take home!

Instructor Sushmita Mazumdar is a local book artist, writer, and educator. She teaches art education programs for children as well as adult groups to encourage storytelling and passing on cultural heritage from one generation to the next.

Chai and Stories – A Writing Workshop for Adults, Saturday, July 20, 11 am – 12:30 pm

Join Instructor Sushmita Mazumdar for chai tea, relaxing storytelling and a chance to express your creativity with a handmade book. There is no charge for this event, but patrons are encouraged to make a tax deductible donation to Living Legends.

Community Open House - Saturday, July 20- 2-4 pm

 

Join the Living Legends past and present, organization founder Nina Tisara, and Living Legends Board Members for light refreshments a chance to see the exhibition, and learn more about how to nominate a legend.