WASHINGTON — The District will kick off Black History Month festivities with its inaugural "Welcome Black" event Thursday evening.
The event will showcase local Black performers and visual artists in Downtown D.C.
"This year, we are kicking off Black History Month with some of the local creatives who help tell the story of our city through art – and we want the community to join us," D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a news release. "We live in a city where Black history is DC history and DC history is Black history. This month – and every month – we're sharing our history, we're celebrating Black excellence, and we're uplifting the people and voices who continue to make DC the greatest city in the world."
The event starts at 6 p.m. at the Carlyle Room at 1350 I St. NW, a Black-owned venue that hosts jazz, soul, and R&B performances year-round in the heart of Downtown D.C.
The District says the closest Metro station is Metro Center, and the closest Bikeshare Station is at 14th and D streets NW.
The event will be co-hosted by comedian and radio personality Joe Clair, who will invite local performers to highlight the history of the African Diaspora.
Performances will include D.C.-based organizations and local artists, including:
- A dance interpretation by members of the Dance Institute of Washington that will highlight early African American history
- A jazz performance from Marcus Johnson that raises awareness about Black contributions during the renaissance era;
- A salute to R&B and Go-Go music performed by the bounce kings TCB.
Artwork will be on display from local Black artists from across D.C.
During the event, Bowser will present the finalized version of the District's Racial Equity Action Plan, which is "a three-year roadmap outlining actions that the District will take to close racial equity gaps and measure progress toward a more equitable DC."