Getting Word African American Oral History Project Banner Image

Event Overview

Back for 2025, Getting Word’s Black Family History Lab is a two-day program highlighting the interconnectedness of Black family legacies in the spirit of Ubuntu, an African philosophy meaning, “I am because we are.”

On Friday, February 21, join us for our Black Family History Lab Symposium at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center. The symposium will explore the interwoven ties that bind together local and familial African American histories in Central Virginia and beyond. Engage in enriching panels, interactive workshops, and connect with others to foster a deeper sense of community, connection, and care.

For the full Symposium schedule and free registration, please visit this link.

On Saturday, February 22, come out for our Black Family History Lab Expo at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, where the richness of history meets the power of community! This event brings together a diverse mix of community-based organizations and local specialists to build a comprehensive network of support, inspiration, and resources tailored to help you safeguard your family’s legacy for the next generation. 

Finally, the culminating event of the Black Family History Lab, the Jubilee Celebration, will take place at the Carver Recreation Center, featuring music, dance, and poetry performances by local organizations and artists that honor our heritage through their chosen medium.

Be sure to also check out our Facebook event page for other information and updates.


An event by the Getting Word African American Oral History Project in collaboration with The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center and over twenty local community organizations.

The Getting Word African American Oral History Project and the Black Family History Lab are generously supported by The Mellon Foundation.


 

Schedule

Black Family History Lab Symposium

Join us for a day of exploring and celebrating Black family history at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center. This in-person event, themed Weaving the Tapestry: Ubuntu and Black Family Histories, highlights the interconnectedness of Black legacies through the spirit of Ubuntu—“I am because we are.”

Engage in enriching discussions, interactive workshops, and collaborative opportunities that emphasize the collective strength, resilience, and shared heritage binding generations together. Together, we’ll honor individual and community stories, preserve traditions, and foster a deeper sense of connection and care. For the full schedule and free registration, please visit this link.

Black Family History Lab Community Expo

Join us for the Black Family History Lab Community Expo at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, where the richness of history meets the power of community! This dynamic event brings together a diverse mix of preservation and community-based organizations, working in collaboration to build a comprehensive network of support, inspiration, and resources tailored for you.

Connect with specialists who are passionate about helping families uncover and preserve their unique stories. Gain valuable insights, tools, and guidance to celebrate and safeguard your heritage for generations to come. Don’t miss the chance to create lasting memories with professional family portraits, offered on-site to capture the essence of your family.

Black Family History Lab: Jubilee Celebration

The culminating event of the two-day Black Family History Lab, the Jubilee is a celebration of the theme “Weaving the Tapestry: Ubuntu and Black Family Histories,” which highlights the interconnectedness of Black family histories, shared heritage, community care, and resilience.

This event, hosted at the Carver Recreation Center, will feature music, dance, and poetry performances by local organizations and artists that honor our heritage through their chosen medium.