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Black History Month Spotlight - Sean Miller & Michele Togbe
Meet Sean Miller and Michele Togbe! These hardworking individuals were recognized at the Board of Supervisors meeting on February 7 for their work with the Historical Marker Project which launched as a part of the Black/African American Experience Project and generated six new historical markers throughout the County.
Sean Miller is a teacher at South County High School and serves as the History and Social Studies Department Chair. Sean has also been an Equity Lead and African American History and Culture for Educators instructor. In 2021, he was recognized as George Washington's Mount Vernon Teacher of the Year and is currently pursing his Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Howard University. Sean is an outstanding example for many students and faculty in the County. Thank you Sean, for your exemplary work to educate tomorrow's leaders.
Michele Togbe is the School Board Student Representative for the 2022-2023 school year. Michele is a senior at South County High School and will be studying at Brown University in the Fall. She has three main focuses as student representative: transparency within students’ voices, furthering civic education and maintaining an equitable lens. She states that “it is increasingly important for our diverse communities to be represented. I have witnessed firsthand what a lack of transparency can do to a community, which is why we must be forthcoming and transparent about opportunities and programs. Every person should have equal opportunities." Michele is also a 2023 South County class officer, vice president of the FCPS Student Advisory Council, founder of the South County Student Equity Coalition, and a member of the Model Judiciary, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society and varsity swim and dive team. Thank you Michele, for representing all students and for dedicating so much time to creating change in the County.
These two are amazing advocates in the Mount Vernon District who are providing a voice to every student. Thank you both for your dedication to make our community stronger.
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Celebrate Black History Month | |
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Unite, Uplift and Celebrate Black History Month
Friday, February 17, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Pkwy
To celebrate Black History Month, the Fairfax County Black History Program Committee, in partnership with Cox Communications, presents an evening celebration of Black history in Fairfax County. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public. Refreshments and resource tables will be available at 5:30 p.m. and the program begins at 6:30 p.m. Join community leaders, guest speakers and entertainers to celebrate perseverance and resiliency in Fairfax County. Learn more.
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Black Resistance: Rebuilding Black Wall Street
Saturday, February 25, 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Harvest Assembly Baptist Church
8008 Fordson Rd, Alexandria
Register
Join emcee Shirley Ginwright, Past President Fairfax County NAACP, and keynote speaker Curtis Valentine, Founder of Real Men Teach to celebrate the accomplishments of African-Americans and enjoy a soul food lunch and a musical performance by Harvest Assembly Baptist Church Choir. Learn more.
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Celebrate Black History Month with the Park Authority
The Fairfax County Park Authority is committed to sharing stories, artifacts and archives to recognize the contributions, struggles and history of African-Americans in Fairfax County and parks. To honor Black History Month the Park Authority is hosting many events, find one near you.
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20+ Ways to Celebrate Black History Month in the DC Area
The African American experience is intricately entwined in the rich tapestry of Fairfax County’s history and in America’s story. As you celebrate America's Black history this year, you'll have the opportunity to visit sites around the region in person, or online, to reflect on an inspiring journey of hope, sacrifice, liberation, empowerment and beauty. Read and learn more about the local "must-see" list from FXVA.
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Gum Springs Heritage Study
Fairfax County is partnering with the community to conduct a Heritage Resources Study for Gum Springs, in order to recognize the history of Gum Springs and identify resources with historical, cultural, architectural or archaeological significance within the area. The Study will include research into historic documents and existing oral histories, an architectural survey and new interviews with the community. The study results will be used to create a management document with recommendations for future work. Learn more.
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Community Information & Events | |
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Speed Camera Pilot Program
Slowing down drivers and improving traffic safety are the objectives of the new Speed Camera Pilot Program that includes the installation of photo monitoring devices (speed cameras) in eight school zones around the County. The Mount Vernon District has a new camera on Silverbrook Road, Lorton for South County Middle School. Read more.
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February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
During National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month in February (and every month), Fairfax County offers a number of educational tools to promote healthy relationships. Residents are encouraged to get involved in disrupting cycles of violence among teens. One in three teens will experience physical, sexual or emotional abuse from someone they are in a relationship with before they become adults. Learn more.
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Older Adults Roundtable
Monday, February 27, 7-8:30 p.m.
Virtual
Providence District Supervisor Palchik will be hosting the third session of the Older Adults Roundtable series. This discussion will be focused on affordability and aging in Fairfax County and will cover the various affordable housing options, the accessibility of those options, tax relief benefits, challenges that are faced by older adults as they age in place and resources that can be used when tackling those challenges. This event will be streamed live on Channel 16 and on Supervisor Palchik’s Facebook page.
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The Archaeology of Cemeteries; Remember Me as You Pass By
Saturday, March 4, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Gunston Hall
10709 Gunston Rd, Lorton
Join Friends of Fairfax County Archaeology and Cultural Resources, the FCPA Archaeology and Collections Branch and Gunston Hall for the annual symposium, The Archaeology of Cemeteries; Remember Me as You Pass By. Aimee Wells, the Senior Archaeologist at the ACB-FCPA and the Principal Investigator for the County Archaeology Research Team (CART) will be speaking on CART'S effort to re-survey the known cemeteries in Fairfax County, report on current conditions, provide headstone transcription where possible and make this information available to the interested public. Registration for the event is $15 to the public, $10 to FOFA members and Gunston Hall docents and Friends. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided, lunch must be pre-ordered for an additional $15.
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College Scholarships for Conservation and the Environment
The Educational Foundation of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts annually offers four $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors or college freshmen for college study. The scholarships support studies related to natural resource conservation. Applications must arrive at the NVSWCD office by April 1. Learn more.
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Youth Conservation Camp
Applications for Youth Conservation Camp 2023 is now available. The camp will be held Sunday, July 9 - Saturday, July 15 at Virginia Tech. Any student enrolled in grades 9-12 during this school year are eligible to attend. All applications are due to Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts no later than April 28. Apply and learn more.
| How to Help Turkey & Syria | |
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Dozens of members of the Virginia Task Force-1 (VATF-1) Urban Search and Rescue Team, quickly took action to help in the search and rescue efforts in Turkey. If you are looking to help from overseas, here is a list of trusted organizations providing assistance that you can donate to:
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