Ninth African American Heritage Festival explores Black military service and national legacy
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 23, 2026 — Get free admission to the Charlotte Museum of History, a Smithsonian Affiliate, and celebrate Charlotte’s Black history and culture on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the museum’s ninth African American Heritage Festival featuring exhibits from JCSU.
The theme of this year’s festival is “Red, White, Blue, and Black,” which explores the legacy, service and contributions of African Americans in the U.S. military from the nation’s founding to the present day. The theme aligns with the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, offering an opportunity to reflect on patriotism, sacrifice and the often-overlooked role of Black Americans in defending the nation.
“This year’s African American Heritage Festival invites our community to honor the courage, resilience and lasting contributions of African Americans who have served our country,” said Terri L. White, president & CEO of the Charlotte Museum of History. “As we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary, “Red, White, Blue, and Black” encourages meaningful reflection on our history while celebrating the individuals whose service helped move our country forward.”
The festival will feature a full day of educational programming, performances, speakers, interactive experiences and community engagement opportunities designed for all ages. Local artists, vendors and community organizations will have tables at the event.
Highlights of this year’s festival include:
- Keynote Address from Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette, North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
- "Marching Home: Housing, Hostility & Hope” panel discussion featuring “Lost Soldiers” podcast co-hosts Ché Abdullah and Tom Hanchett; Vietnam veteran, Historic West End and Beatties Ford community leader and three-time Purple Heart recipient Reuben "Rock" Flax; and Fred Dodson of DreamKey Partners. The “Lost Soldiers” podcast shares the wartime stories of veterans that rest in Charlotte's once-abandoned Cedar Grove Cemetery.
- “Marching Home: Housing, Hostility & Hope” pop-up exhibit featuring photos and ephemera from the archive collection of Johnson C Smith University, presented by JCSU’s Duke Library.
- Watercolor reflection workshop, “The Power of the Warrior’s Heart: Black Hands in Service Then and Now,” led by Melvin Nix. This session combines storytelling, reflection and a guided watercolor painting experience for attendees. Space for this workshop is limited and pre-registration is required.
- “From Records to Remembrance: Black Military Service and Family History” panel discussion featuring Solomon Titus, descendant of enslaved America Revolution veteran Ishmael Titus, moderated by Dr. Gregory Mixon.
- Live Revolutionary-era cooking demonstration in historic kitchen
How to Go
The African American Heritage Festival is free and open to the public. More information is at charlottemuseum.org/events.