From Left: Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill; Marlon Murphy (Fairfax County Fire Rescue); Paul Woods (NCS); Ramona Carroll (NCS); Nelfred “Tilly” Blanding (Retired); Evelyn Spain (NAACP); County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeffrey McKay; Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk; Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity; Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez (BOS); Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik; Fairfax County Public Schools At-Large School Board Member Ilryong Moon; Emma Marshall (Retired); Andrea Richardson (CSB); Dale T. Wallace (Retired).

(click on photo for high-resolution version)

Fairfax County marked Black History Month with a community celebration “Unite, Uplift & Celebrate!” at the Fairfax County Government Center on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025.

This year’s theme was “Building on a Legacy.” Nelfred “Tllly” Blanding served as Mistress of Ceremony for a program that featured speakers, musical and dance entertainment, and more.

Fairfax County Chief Equity Officer Toni Zollicoffer was the Keynote Speaker. Also presenting remarks were Katina Powers, senior manager at Cox, co-sponsor of the event; Rev. Trevor L. Black, pastor of Peace Baptist Church in Dunn Loring, VA; Jeffrey C. McKay, Chair, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; Rodney Lusk, Franconia District Supervisor; and Bryan Hill, Fairfax County Executive.

Elements of Surprise (R&B Group), Nikki Joy Brown (musical artist) and Myrna Kinney (musical artist), provided entertainment, along with Bennie Herron (poet), Ellis Hamilton (saxophonist), Westgate School Age Child Care’s The Lady Wolves Step Team; and The Zeta Tau Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. (step performance).

The Board of Supervisors proclaimed February 2025 Black History Month in Fairfax County. For more information on Black History Month in Fairfax County, visit the county’s Black History Month webpage and NCS’ Black History Month webpage.

See more photos in NCS' Flickr album. See a Fairfax Channel 16 video of the event below.

 Kathryn