On March 20, 2026, at the Virginia Forum held at Shenandoah University in Frederick, VA, I participated in a panel with Kristen Laise and Brenda Nelson. Our discussion centered on “The Slave, Freedman, and Enslaver: The Story of Monday Robinson.”
Kristen Laise, the Executive Director of Belle Grove Plantation, will present an exhibit titled “Monday Robinson: A Life of Thorns & Roses.” The opening is scheduled for September 26.
Please join us!
Yesterday, December 4, 2025, Alexandria lost a beloved citizen. McArthur Myers was a dedicated volunteer civic leader. He left his mark across Alexandria, advocating for the inclusion of Alexandria’s African American History in the city’s overall history. At many public meetings, he was the only African American volunteer to show up and participate. McArthur’s famous saying, “You’ve got to step up and step in.”
He was a dear friend of mine and will be missed by many of us who call Alexandria home.
McArthur Myers was among the recipients of the 2020 Living Legend honor. You can read his bio on the Living Legend’s website at: https://alexandrialegends.org/myers-mcarthur/.
The Zebra’s Newspaper has a beautiful obituary on McArthur and his work in Alexandria at https://thezebra.org/2025/12/04/mcarthur-myers-obituary-alexandria/.
It has been close to 25 years since I did an interview with Ellis Island in New York. It brings back so many memories for me. My great-grandmother’s cousin, Lazarus Bates, a former principal in Halifax, VA, was included in this interview. For the very first time, he revealed that his grandfather was born into slavery. He witnessed the scars on his grandfather’s back when Lazarus was a small child. These scars were inflicted by his grandfather’s master. Cousin Bates is no longer with us, but he left my family and me with one of the greatest gifts, the story of our ancestors, who were born enslaved.
https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/view-user-familyhistory/czoyOiIyOCI7/czowOiIiOw==/czowOiIiOw==
The Alexandria Library Local History and Special Collection released seventeen short oral history interviews. These interviews were conducted with some of the oldest African American families, who share a small piece of their history of growing up in Alexandria. The oldest person interviewed was around 95 years old. Below are the links to sixteen of those interviews.
Alvin Lewis, a native-born Alexandrian, was interviewed by the Alexandria Library, Local History, and Special Collection about his family in Alexandria. You can view his interview at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfYs0eH86QA
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The Alexandria Library, Local History, and Special Collection released Charles Sias’ oral history interview, and it is about his life in Alexandria. His family migrated to Alexandria from Mississippi in the 1950s. He attended and graduated from Parker-Gray High School. Check out his interview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-89dmfBgOk
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Lesa Diggs-Moore’s oral history interview. She grew up in the Del Ray Community. She shares her childhood stories from the 1960s, when she dealt with the flooded areas in Del Ray. Check out her interview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flW1zy0HSuU
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Obie Lovelace’s oral history interview. The interview is about his life growing up in Alexandria. Check out his interview at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JYWZDMikXQ
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Carolyn Banks Summers’ oral history interview. Her family made huge contributions to the Alexandria Black Business community. Check out her interview at:
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Dr. Michael Casey’s oral history interview. His family history goes back to the 1700s in Alexandria/Fairfax, VA. Check out his interview at:
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Ella Louise Joe’s oral history interview. She grew up in the Bailey Cross and Seminary Communities. Check out her interview at:
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Michael A. Thomas’ oral history interview. Thomas grew up in Old Town Alexandria and attended Charles Houston Elementary School, Parker-Gray Middle School, and T.C. Williams. Check out his interview at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiyMBwMyYCw
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Debra Adkins Cole grew up in Alexandria. In 1967, she was the first African American child to use the Alexandria Barrett Library. Debra discusses being part of the class of Titians in 1971 and 1972 at T.C. Williams. Check out her interview at:
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Gerald Wanzer’s oral history interview. He grew up in the West End of Alexandria, VA, known as Seminary. His family has been in that area since the Civil War. Check out his interview at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3u1DEPybME
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Clyde Pearson Jr.’s oral history interview. He grew up in Alexandria on West Street. He talks about going to the Catholic School. Clyde grew up during the period of segregation. He also talks about how African Americans cared for each other during his adolescent years in Alexandria. You can check out his interview at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFoASgoME-c
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Harriet Payne Moore’s oral history interview. She was born in Alexandria in 1934. Moore grew up in the 500 block of Gibbon Street. She is a member of Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church. You can check out her interview at:
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Willie Seegars’ interview. He was born in Alexandria and grew up on Pendelton Street. You can check out his interview at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LaXTHmbCtQ
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Andrew Winfree’s oral interview. He is 87 years old and a 1955 graduate of Parker-Gray High School. He talks about his life in Alexandria, military, and work career. You can check out his interview at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB2RG38krRQ
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Constance Yvonne Terrell’s oral history interview. She is 90 years old and a graduate of Dunbar High School in Washington, DC. She was born and raised in Seminary. Yvonne is a member of Oakland Baptist Church. You can check out her interview at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4apGy3AunjE
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Gwen Day Fuller’s oral history interview. Gwen is the daughter of the late Ferdinand T. Day. She talks about growing up on the North side of Alexandria. During her childhood, Gwen also talks about St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and Alexandria’s African American businesses. You can check out her interview at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvxCoELWJ8Q
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