January 6, 2005, Kensington, MD – The 4th annual celebration of Black History Month is in progress now at the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors’ Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This commemoration of the contributions and heritage of African and African-American people features exhibits, music, and speakers every weekend through February 27. All events are free of charge. The Visitors’ Center, located at 9900 Stoneybrook Drive in Kensington, is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Some of the featured items and programs include:
- An art exhibit featuring the works of Lou Stovall
- Special items on loan from the Embassy of Ghana
- “A Century of Just Women: Alexandria Virginia’s African American Women 1900-1999”
- “Segregation’s Story: One African American Community History”
- “The Underground Railroad”
- “Early African-American pioneers”
- A family history display focusing on African-American genealogical research.
Six workshops on African-American family history research will be presented by the top professional genealogists in this field in the mid-Atlantic region. This event is scheduled on February 12, from 1-4:30 p.m., and is cosponsored by the Montgomery County Historical Society and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This event is free of charge but registration is required. Call 301/587-0144.
CALENDAR:
February 5 at 7:00 pm – “Family Night” featuring special activities for children and families, including a children’s choir, a storyteller, and special presentations on African dance.
February 6 at 7:00 pm – “Voices of Civil Rights,” a unique presentation of dramatic readings of first-hand accounts of Civil Rights activists with music by the Voices of Triumph gospel choir. Presented by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, AARP, and the Library of Congress.
February 12 at 1:00-4:30 pm – African-American Family History Conference (cosponsored by the Montgomery County Historical Society and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), with presentations by top genealogists in the field of African-American research.
February 12 at 7:00 pm – Pioneers of Africa, a film depicting the rise of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Africa.
February 13 at 7:00 pm – “An Evening with Thurl Bailey,” the legendary NBA and Utah Jazz basketball player.
February 19 at 7:00 pm – “An Evening with Chris Haley,” Archivist, Maryland State Archives, nephew of Alex Haley and 5th great-grandson of Kunta Kinte. Special liturgical dance ministering piece by “Inspire.”
February 26 at 7:00 pm – “The Underground Railroad,” its history and significance will be presented by Tony Cohen of the Menare Foundation.
Call 301-587-0144 for further information about events and registration for the family history conference. E-mail: vc**********@ld*.org; Website: www.dccalendar.lds.org