Celebrating Black History: Honoring African Americans Who Have Helped Shape the National Mall
Celebrating Black History: Honoring African Americans Who Have Helped Shape the National Mall
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The Trust for the National Mall is honored to share stories, content, and events to recognize and commemorate Black History Month. Throughout the history of the National Mall, African Americans have helped shape every aspect of its development: from the land and buildings to the ways in which we view and experience this iconic space. Below, we highlight educational resources on and around the National Mall that tell the stories of notable figures in Black history and watershed moments in history that help us celebrate Black History this month and throughout the year.
We also highlight some of the African American thought leaders, community leaders, business leaders, performers and others who have influenced the National Mall and who continue to build its robust future. Scroll below to learn more, and click on items for more detail.
Past, present and future: Black History Shaping the National Mall
From an audio walking tour all about organizing the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom to the groundbreaking art installations that were a part of the pilot Beyond Granite art exhibition, the Trust is working to uplift stories on the National Mall that elevate Black history.
March On: RUSTIN
March On: RUSTIN is a collaboration between the Trust for the National Mall and Netflix's RUSTIN, providing listeners with an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the 1963 March On Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Click here to listen.
Of Thee We Sing by vanessa german
An innovative statue of Marian Anderson and her powerful 1939 concert at the Lincoln Memorial, held up by a sea of hands and historic images of the attendees. Click here to learn more.
HOMEGOING by Ashon Crawley
An audiovisual memorial about the impact of the AIDS crisis that centers spirituality as a means of honoring fallen Black queer church musicians. Click here to learn more.
America’s Playground by Derrick Adams
A monumental playground that reflects the story of desegregated playgrounds in the nation’s capital. Click here to learn more.
Black History Spotlights
African Americans have shaped, and continue to shape, how we think about and explore the themes behind the National Mall. Below we highlight some African American thought leaders, community leaders, performers, veterans and more who have influenced the National Mall and who continue to build its robust future.
Bayard Rustin
This Civil Rights leader worked alongside Martin Luther King, Jr. and others to organize the impossible feat of bringing a quarter of a million demonstrators to the National Mall on August 28, 1963. Bayard Rustin’s role as an architect and grassroots organizer was brought to life in the Netflix film “RUSTIN.” To learn more about Bayard Rustin, click here.
Photo: Netflix
Marian Anderson
Shortly after being denied the stage at Constitution Hall because she was Black, Marian Anderson performed from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to a crowd of 75,000 on Easter Sunday in 1963. Before her captivated audience, Marian Anderson solidified the National Mall as a civic stage for public performance, peaceful marching, speeches and moments of First Amendment protest. Learn more about Marian Anderson here.
Photo: Hulton Archive / Stringer
6888th Battalion
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, also called the “Six Triple Eight,” was a World War II army battalion comprised entirely of African American women. During the war, they ensured that backlogged mail was organized and delivered to American troops in Europe. To learn more about the World War II Memorial and the “Six Triple Eight,” click here.
Photo: National Archives
Benjamin Banneker
In 1791, Benjamin Banneker was selected as the official assistant surveyor in surveying what would be the nation’s new capital city. Banneker was a well-known astronomer, inventor, and surveyor who had printed one of the first almanac series in America. Thomas Jefferson approved his appointment, making Benjamin Banneker one of first official Black civil servants in the United States. The calculations done by Banneker were used by Major Pierre Charles L’Enfant to create the city plan for Washington, D.C., which included space dedicated for what would become the National Mall. Learn more about Benjamin Banneker here.
Archie Alexander
Archie Alexander was a renowned engineer and in 1912 was the first African-American student to graduate from the University of Iowa's College of Engineering. He quickly advanced in his career to launch Alexander & Repass with his classmate Maurice Repass. On the National Mall, Alexander's firm was responsible for building a bridge and seawall at the Tidal Basin, where they employed an integrated construction crew. Learn more about Archie Alexander here.
Photo: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information
Mary Church Terrell
Mary Church Terrell was a Civil Rights activist and suffragist. On March 3, 1913, Mary Church Terrell marched with other African-American suffragists in the first women’s suffrage parade in Washington, D.C. Later, Mary Church Terrell would go on to found the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Her contributions are represented in the Belmont-Paul Women’s National Equality Monument. Learn more about Mary Church Terrell here.
Photo: Library of Congress
Virtual Classrooms: Exploring the national mall with our National park Service partners
The Trust for the National Mall is pleased to partner with the National Mall and Memorial Parks Division of the National Park Service for an ongoing series of virtual educational programs designed for teachers and students. This program series helps bring the lessons of the National Mall, its monuments and memorials, and their associated legacies into classrooms around the country. The below programs highlight the contributions, spirit, and powerful activism of African Americans on the National Mall.
Monumental Conversations
Monumental Conversations is the Trust for the National Mall's virtual event offering. This series features dynamic conversations with distinguished panelists who will discuss the history and influence the National Mall represents. From diversity to sustainability, we tackle the most relevant topics in American life and reflect upon the role America's Civic Stage has played.
Voices of Volunteers: National Mall volunteer Keith June shares black history
Events
To find events celebrating Black History Month on the National Mall, check out these resources and offerings from organizations on or around the National Mall. Click on the sections below to expand and explore.
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Celebrate Black History Month with Smithsonian events, resources, exhibitions, and podcasts. The 2024 theme is "African Americans and the Arts" spanning the many impacts Black Americans have had on visual arts, music, cultural movements, and more. To see events across all Smithsonian museums and institutions, click here.
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To see events hosted by the D.C. Mayor’s Office, “Welcome Black,” click here.