Mayor Levar M. Stoney takes part in unveiling new state history marker for the historic Shockoe Hill Burying Ground, the long forgotten public cemetery for 22,000 Black people at 1305 N. 5th St. at the entry to Highland Park. Joining the mayor at the ceremony Sunday afternoon are Ana F. Edwards of the Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project, left, and Lenora C. McQueen, a Texas resident who has led a four-year fight to preserve and protect the burial ground where relatives are buried and who has pushed for the cemetery’s recognition and designation as a national historic site.

Ms. McQueen proudly stands in front of the new marker that she successfully lobbied the state Department of Historic Resources to install.

The choir from Swansboro Elementary performs at the cemetery. The city opened the cemetery in 1816 as the last resting for slaves and free Black people and offered burials there until 1879. Now considered the largest municipal cemetery for Black people in the country, the 30-acre burying ground was promptly forgotten, with the city selling off pieces while allowing railroad tracks and highways to be run through the gravesite. The city recently repurchased 1.5 acres; Monday night, City Council incorporated the cemetery into plans for a slavery memorial and museum that are to be developed next to Main Street Station.

Located along Richmond’s downtown riverfront, the Canal Walk routinely attracts residents and visitors who enjoy biking, walking and sightseeing. Stretching 1.25 miles along the James River and Kanawha and Haxall Canals, the walk has access points at nearly every block between 5th and 17th streets.

Vibrant sunflower in the West End

The ¿Que Pasa¿ Festival returned to the Canal Walk in Shockoe Slip where festival-goers were treated to live music and performances by dance groups such as La Palma last Saturday. Sponsored by the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the festival also included an artisan market, a live artist exhibition, homemade crafts, food and beverages.

“Celebrate African and African-American Art: Global Community Family Day” drew people of all ages to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts on June 11. Patrons enjoyed making and viewing art, dancing and music. To view the celebration online, visit https://vmfa.museum/celebrate-african-african-american-art-global-community/

The Robinson Theater Community Arts Center’s Community Block Party in Church Hill on June 10 offered fitness, dance, theater, creative writing and more for youths and adults. The free party included yummy ice cream treats, pet goats and rabbits that delighted 9-year-old Jaiden Loney.

6-year-old Press Aria Moore of Henrico County enjoys the obstacle course.

Asia Anthony was among the La Palma dance group’s energetic performers during Saturday’s ¿Qué Pasa? Festival in Shockoe Slip. The Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce sponsors the festival to showcase the diversity and beauty of Hispanic and Latin American cultures. The festival was canceled for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.