Breaking Down Barriers

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Breaking Down Barriers

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The Washington Bee was one of the most influential African American newspapers in the United States. During its years of operation 1884- 1922, articles focused on the activities of African Americans and the society page had information about local…

In an interview Preston Blackwell describes growing up in Vienna and becoming the first African American police commander in the Mount Vernon Police Station.

Annie E. Harper and three other residents from Fairfax sued the Virginia State Board of Elections contending that the poll tax was unconstitutional. In order for Annie Harper to register and vote, she had to pay the poll tax and a late fee. The…

93rd Division, 372nd Infantry Regiment, Company E, World War I Harry Hatcher was drafted into the army on October 26, 1917. His military training was in segregated facilities at Camp Stewart, Newport News. His unit arrived in France in March 1918…

“When Dr. Henderson learned the game [of basketball] in 1904, he taught the sport, made teams and leagues and trained referees. He introduced basketball on a wide scale with the Africa American population. That’s how he should be known.” Edwin…

Mary Ellen Henderson Biography: A Life of Making Differences, Big, and Small

Nellie Henderson was an educator and community activist. She wrote a report when learning that 90 percent of all funding for Fairfax County Schools went to white…

John Jackson’s guitar playing talent was discovered in Fairfax County. His music was a combination of blues, country, and ragtime. He cut an album and joined the Blues Festival circuit. He performed at the White House and toured parts of Asia, the…

“The buses would bring the white children in from outlying areas, to Herndon, and they would ridicule us ... spit at you, throw insults at you, throw things at you. We would be standing, about five of us kids, standing there, huddling, waiting for…

William West was born near where his parents had been enslaved. He held a variety of jobs and was well respected in each. He experienced discrimination throughout his life and occupations because of the color of his skin.

Son of a Freed Slave,…

Marguerite and James Mott were instrumental in the integration of Fairfax County recreation facilities and the quest for equality in Northern Virginia.

The Motts began their activism after they were turned away from picnicking at Lake Fairfax Park…

James M. Goins was the Sideburn’s Civic Association’s first president. The Black non-profit civic association was formed with the purpose to upgrade the community of Sideburn, provide recreational facilities, and promote and protect the civic and…

Marshall was born in Baltimore Maryland. His interest in law started in high school when his principal made him read the Constitution as punishment for a prank he pulled. He became so interested in the Constitution that he began memorizing sections…

Henry Simms was the only blacksmith listed in the Town of Herndon’s first official census in 1880. He also happened to be one of the only African Americans in the Town of Herndon to own a business.

The Moffett family operated a blacksmith shop on this site from 1906 to 1955. William Henry Moffett, a fifth-generation blacksmith, took the shop over from his father after it was burned and rebuilt in 1917. Fairfax County Park Authority bought the…

In 1964, Howard University’s first all- Black rowing crew won the Washington Regatta. The rowers held a good line and crossed the finish at Thompson Boat Center with open water between them and the rest of the field.

"Abe, Here We Are, Still At It" Four Howard University students, who were returning to Washington DC from a picnic in Fairfax County, were arrested when they refused to move to the back of the bus.
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