Discover Arlington’s African-American Past at Black History Month Festival

By Arlington Public Library

Posted on February 21, 2017, February 21, 2017

John and Lou Henry Taylor
Fielder House archives

Do you know the first African-American business owners in Arlington, including a women who said she always kept a gun on her hip to keep her male pool hall customers in line?

Have you heard about "The Hill," an early African-American business & residential community in central Arlington? What about the African-American soldiers and sailors from Arlington that served in WWI and WWII?

Arlington has a rich African-American history. Recognize and celebrate it with the Arlington Public Library and community partners at the 6^th annual Black History Month Festival on February 26.

The Arlington Public Library's 6^th annual Black History Month Festival features a preview of the Fielder House Museum's new Black History archive. Created through a partnership between the Arlington Historical Society and the Arlington Public Library, this digital archive will make hundreds of rare images and historical documents available to children, citizens, and scholars alike, on any Internet-capable device. View highlights of the collection at a special preview at 2 p.m.

Several performing groups are returning to Black History Month Festival. Enjoy music from the Tarrant County College Southeast Jazz Combo, the Ashworth Elementary Singers, and Household of Faith Choir "Tehilah Crew." Ousley Junior High Step Team and the Step By Step Dance Studio will perform. The Festival also features readings by the winners of the City of Arlington's essay contest, "Advancing the Dream Celebration 2017." Cheri Colbert, the City of Arlington Council Coordinator, will emcee the ceremony.

Librarian David Jackson has coordinated the festival each year, but the event would not be possible without these community partnerships that showcase the many elements of African-American culture and history.

"Black History Month Festival is about people," Jackson says. "It's about stories, history, culture, memories, and so many other things, and it's a privilege for us to help share those things in the Arlington community."

Click here for more information about Black History Month Festival.