African American Cultural Celebration Presentations and Schedules

Saturday, January 25, 2025

10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

2025 AACC Schedule of Events
Bicentennial Plaza

10:30–11 a.m.   

  • Opening Kickoff
  • Procession
    • Join the procession down Bicentennial Plaza to open the event!
    • United States Colored Troops Reenactment Groups
    • Shaw University Platinum Sound Marching Band Drumline
    • The Magic of African Rhythm
  • Welcoming Remarks
    • Adrienne Nirdé, director, North Carolina African American Heritage Commission
    • Pamela B. Cashwell, secretary, North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    • Dr. Valerie Ann Johnson, chair, North Carolina African American Heritage Commission 
  • Musical Performance
    • “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
    • Performed by Corey Leak
    • Click the link for background information, music, and lyrics for “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Museum of Natural Sciences, WRAL 3D Theater 

11:30–Noon    

  • Musical and Dance Performance
    • The Magic of African Rhythm

12:30–1:15 p.m.

  • Dramatic Performance
    • Selection from The Ongoing Fight for Freedom: Stories of Black NC Veterans
      • Written and performed by Dr. Sonny Kelly

1:30–2:15 p.m.

  • Education and Heritage
    • Dr. Ernest Grant, nurse and educator
    • Dr. Rhonda Muhammad, culinary arts teacher

2:30–3:15 p.m.

  • Food, Health, and Beauty
    • Virginia Hardesty, proprietor, and Ashley Hardesty Armstrong, chef and proprietor, Forsyth Seafood Market & Café
    • Marcus Short, owner and operator, Billionaires Barbershop
    • Vernetta Davis, mental health professional

3:30–4:15 p.m.

  • History, Enterprise, and Film
    • Sadie Riddick, commissioner, Edenton Historic Commission
    • Dawson Tyler, commissioner, Edenton Historic Commission

Windows on the World Classroom, 3rd Floor

12:45–1:30 p.m.

  • Literature and Spoken Word
    • Vanessa Miller, best-selling and award-winning author
    • A book signing will follow this presentation.

1:45–2:15 p.m. 

  • Storytelling
    • North Carolina Association of Black Storytellers

2:30–3 p.m. 

  • Storytelling
    • North Carolina Association of Black Storytellers

3:15–3:45 p.m. 

  • Storytelling
    • North Carolina Association of Black Storytellers

4–4:30 p.m.  

  • Storytelling
    • North Carolina Association of Black Storytellers

American Sign Language interpreters are available at storytelling sessions.

Nature Exploration Center, 1st Floor

10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

  • Alfreda Johnson, sweetgrass basket weaver
  • Ben Watford, potter
  • Heritage Quilters (Hands-on Activity)
  • Information Table/African American Heritage Commission
  • Neal Thomas, split-oak basket maker
  • North Carolina State Historic Sites
  • Pinkie Strother, dioramas artist
  • Shawn Etheridge, painter
  • Take-Home Craft Kits
  • Warren Goodson, wood carver
Nature Exploration Center, 2nd Floor

10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

  • America250: Office of Archives and History
  • Museum Shop/North Carolina Museum of History Associates
  • State Archives of North Carolina
  • State Library of North Carolina Accessible Books and Library Services
  • State Library of North Carolina Government and Heritage Library
  • Wheel of History (Hands-on Activity)
Nature Exploration Center, 3rd Floor

10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

  • Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society
  • Betty Williams, hatmaker
  • C. J. Murphy, mixed media and mask artist
  • North Carolina Rosenwald Schools Coalition
  • Pamela Washington, jewelry artist
  • Pope House Museum, City of Raleigh Museum
  • Tarish “Jeghetto” Pipkins, puppeteer
  • US Colored Troops Reenactment Groups

Other Recommended Black History Month Programs

“The Ongoing Fight for Freedom: Stories of Black NC Veterans”

Saturday, January 25, 2025, 5:30–6:30 p.m. followed by Q&A

A riveting one-man presentation and performance, “The Ongoing Fight for Freedom” elevates Black freedom fighters and veterans with North Carolina connections—known and unknown, on and off the traditional battlefield—who have engaged in more than 400 years of struggle for freedom, liberty, and equality. This dynamic performance offers a deeper understanding of our nation’s founding ideals and inspires us to continue striving to make those ideals a reality for all. A brief Q&A will follow the 60-minute performance.

  • To help with space preparation, registration is requested at tinyurl.com/3KA4ERRA.
  • Reserved seating is not available; doors open for seating at 5 p.m.
  • This performance is open and accessible to all. 

This production was commissioned & funded by the NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources’ America 250 NC initiative. For additional information about the performance and the historical figures presented, visit www.dncr.nc.gov/ncblackveterans.

History at High Noon: North Carolina Patriots of Color in the Revolutionary War

Wednesday, February 5, 2025, noon–1 p.m., via Zoom

Speakers: Kevin Graham, Tyrone S. Goodwyn, and Luke Alexander, researchers

More than 400 men of African and Native American descent served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Join researchers Kevin Graham, Tyrone Goodwyn, and Luke Alexander to learn more about these brave men whose stories are rarely told.