FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 28, 2026
Cultural arts experience will highlight Black cultural memory, reparative justice, education, and freedom movements across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC
WASHINGTON, DC / MARYLAND — The National Black Cultural Information Trust, Inc. (NBCI Trust) has announced the launch of its “250 Years of Reparative Justice: Freedom Culture Experience,” a multi-event cultural and public education initiative commemorating America’s 250th anniversary through the lens of Black history, cultural survival, and the ongoing struggle for reparative justice.
The initiative will feature cultural activations, public conversations, theatrical experiences, educational pop-ups, and community gatherings throughout 2026 in Prince George’s County, Charles County, Washington, DC, and National Harbor, Maryland.
“At a time when the United States of America is reflecting on 250 years of American history, the National Black Cultural Information Trust, Inc. believes it is critical to center the stories, struggles, and contributions of Black communities. We are facing a critical juncture in which communities of African descent are being actively erased from American history by the hands of our own government and institutions. We can’t let that happen,” said Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor, Executive Director of the National Black Cultural Information Trust, Inc . “This experience elevates African American freedom culture, cultural memory, and reparative justice as essential parts of the American story and world history.”
The Freedom Culture Experience will include:
- May 30, 2026 – Prince George’s County, Maryland
“We The People” 250th Block Party featuring the Living Legacy: 250 Years of Culture Pop-Up Experience, an immersive activation exploring Black cultural arts, history, and community storytelling. - June 13, 2026 – Washington, DC
A special matinee presentation of Purlie Victorious by Studio Theatre, written by Ossie Davis, followed by a talkback conversation with Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor, Executive Director of NBCI Trust, Inc. and Nkechi Taifa, Esq. founder of the Reparation Education Project. - June 19, 2026 – National Harbor, Maryland
Juneteenth Marketplace celebration at National Harbor, uplifting Black culture, freedom traditions, and public engagement. - July 4th Weekend 2026 – Location To Be Announced
Special Freedom Culture activation connected to national conversations surrounding reparative justice and America’s 250th anniversary. - July 16, 2026 – Charles County, Maryland
The 4th Annual African American Cultural Expo and Children’s Book Fair, focused on 250 years of Black literature, cultural education, youth engagement, and community-based storytelling.
The initiative builds upon NBCI Trust’s broader work in cultural communications, media, education, and reparative justice, including efforts connected to AboutReparations.org and community-based public history projects throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. The initiative also includes community access to Black Voices: Inspiring and Empowering Quotes from Global Thought Leaders, published by Quarto Publishing Group and the National Black Cultural Information Trust, Inc.
NBCI Trust’s Freedom Culture Pop-up Experience seeks to create spaces where communities can engage critically and creatively with the legacy of slavery, Black resistance movements, cultural preservation, and contemporary reparations advocacy.
A full list of activations and updates will be available at: NBCIT.org/250
Donations to support the Freedom Culture Pop-up Experience will be used to provide cultural education activities to families and children.
About the National Black Cultural Information Trust, Inc.
The National Black Cultural Information Trust, Inc. is a cultural communications and educational nonprofit serving Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia, and national audiences through media, storytelling, cultural arts programming, public education initiatives, and reparative justice engagement. NBCI Trust works to preserve cultural knowledge, strengthen historical literacy, and support solutions that sustain Black communities and cultural memory.
Media Contact:
National Black Cultural Information Trust, Inc.
Email: info@nbcit.org
Website: www.nbcit.org