Fairfax County marked Black History Month with a proclamation from the Board of Supervisors at a community event, "Unite, Uplift and Celebrate!" on Friday, February 23, 2024, at the Fairfax County Government Center.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey McKay, Franconia District Supervisor Rodney L. Lusk and County Executive Bryan Hill. delivered remarks during the event. Entertainment was provided by saxophonist Tony Craddock Jr.; students from the Westgate and Hollin Meadows SACC programs; soprano Simone Paulwell; and the Herndon High School step team. Naketa Proctor led the audience in singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and Tilly Blanding served as the emcee. Keith Lansdowne made remarks on behalf of Cox Communications. 

This year's theme was "The Value of Telling Our Stories." A panel discussion delved into how Black stories are shared, celebrated and preserved for future generations. Panelists included Marion Dobbins, historian and ethnographer; Brenda Faison, Director of Christian Education and Missions for Bethlehem Baptist Church; Mary Lipsey, retired teacher; Sean Miller, teacher and the History and Social Studies Department Chair at South County High School; and Etta Willson, co-author of the book Black Communities of Fairfax: a History. The panel was moderated by Brian Heintz, teacher at West Springfield High School..

Visit Fairfax County Channel 16 to see a news story on the Black History Month program.

Visit Flickr to see a full photo album.

L to R: James N. Bierman, Jr. – Dranesville District Supervisor:  Robyn Lady – Dranesville District Representative, Fairfax County School Board; Bryan Hill – Fairfax County Executive; Dale Wallace – Black History Month Planning Committee Member; Naketa Proctor – Black History Month Planning Committee Member; Paul Woods – Black History Month Planning Committee Chair; Rodney L. Lusk – Franconia District Supervisor; Emma Marshall – Black History Month Committee Member, Jernita L. Smith – Black History Month Committee Member; Sean Miller – Teacher at South County High School; Andrea Richardson – Black History Month Committee Member; Tilly Blanding – Program Emcee; Jeffrey McKay – Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.