Black History Month Recognized With Panel Discussion In McLean

MCLEAN, VA — February marks Black History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of African Americans. The McLean Community Center will recognize Black History Month with a virtual panel discussion with civil rights leaders featured in the Traveling While Black Virtual Reality Experience.

The Traveling While Black virtual reality experience, which runs from Dec. 15 to Feb. 12, features 360-degree footage with living history lessons. One of the featured locations is Ben's Chili Bowl, an iconic DC restaurant that has been a staple of the African American community since 1958. The restaurant has existed through significant civil rights milestone that are explored in the film.

Academy Award-winning director Roger Ross Williams directed the virtual reality experience. Other subjects of the film are Samaria Rice, the mother of Tamir Rice, the 12-year-old who was fatally shot by police, and DC civil rights leader Courtland Cox, who shares memories in the film. The virtual reality experience was funded with support from Québec Government Offices in New York and Washington, the Embassy of Canada to the U.S., Fairfax County Neighborhood Community Services and the Fairfax County Public Library.

Friday's panel discussion brings together individuals from the virtual reality experience for a discussion. The panel includes Ben’s Chili Bowl founder and owner Virginia Ali, DC civil rights leader Courtland Cox, DC Legendary Musicians chair Rev. Dr. Sandra Butler-Truesdale, Traveling While Black director Roger Ross Williams and Tamir Rice Foundation Founder and CEO Samaria Rice. Williams and Rice will participate in the discussion remotely.

"Ben’s Chili Bowl has modeled what it means to be a community center by being a leader in creating a safe space for the African American community," said Daniel Singh, executive director of the McLean Community Center. "We are honored to have legendary civil rights leaders such as Mrs. Ali, Mr. Cox, and Ms. Rice join us, with the artistic vision of Mr. Williams connecting all of them."

The panel discussion at 7:30 p.m. Friday will be moderated by media strategist Joshua Henry Jenkins. A catered, boxed meal from Ben’s Chili Bowl will be available to participants starting at 6:30 p.m.

Admission to the panel discussion is free, but registration is required. Admission to the virtual reality experience is free, and one-hour time slots can be reserved online.

The McLean Community Center is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean, VA.