Christiansburg Institute, (CI, Inc.) and Montgomery County Community Review Council, (MCCRC) Join Forces to support the Cultural Preservation of African American Sites in Montgomery County, Virginia.

Christiansburg Institute’s ‘Research Action Center’ (CIRAC) and Montgomery County Community Review Council (MCCRC) are thrilled to announce their strategic partnership aimed at bringing greater public awareness, community engagement, and resources to African American sites of cultural significance in Montgomery County, Virginia. 

Connect with us at: mccrc@christiansburginstitute.com

This effort unites the expertise, resources, and passion of two entities committed to empowering community members to advocate for increased cultural preservation, while promoting inclusive social narratives that help tell the full story of Southwest Virginia and rural Appalachia. 

MCCRC under the institutional framework of Christiansburg Institute (CI,Inc.) represents a progressive step forward in uniting a community-based, collective pursuit of advancing a grassroots preservation advocacy and racial justice mission in Montgomery County.

The Montgomery County Community Review Council is a collective of community members in Montgomery County, Virginia, committed to promoting equity in our grassroots approach to preserving the diverse history and culture of the county.

PRESS

News Messenger: Unveiling Black History - 1 Feb 2024

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

SPEAKER SERIES - 2024

Reclaiming History Through Preservation & Genealogy: One Woman’s Story | March 28, 2024 at 7:00 PM @ The Lyric Theater, Blacksburg, Virginia

Tickets: K-12 students are free, $5 at the door, $3 pre-event. Purchase at Eventbrite

STRATEGIC ADVOCATE SPONSORS

This marks the second speaker in our cultural preservation speaker series, a collaborative project between CI, Inc. and the Montgomery County Community Review Council (MCCRC).  And co-sponsored by Virginia Tech Center for Humanities.

This special event highlights ways to advance the cultural preservation of African American history through exploring family roots and genealogy.  Examining the rich history of genealogical records, Karice Luck-Brimmer’s work brings awareness, acknowledgement, and appreciation for African American life, and historic preservation to build more inclusive communities.  With over 20 years experience as a genealogist, Karice’s use of storytelling centers underrepresented histories that capture the oral narratives of communities pivotal to shaping our collective heritage.  

Can’t join us for Karice Luck-Brimmer’s presentation @ the Lyric Theatre on Thursday at 7 pm (March 28th)? We invite you to join us remotely.

Kindly consider donating to support our efforts in providing impactful and accessible programs. Our speakers dedicate themselves to preserving endangered sites and cultural history, working tirelessly to reclaim our past.

Watch Recording

 In her role, she also manages the General Assembly African American Cultural Resources Task Force. As a public historian, she has done extensive genealogical research in the Pittsylvania County area. One of her current projects is the development of the Danville Research Center for African American History & Culture. In 2019 she was appointed by Governor Northam to the Virginia Board of Historic Resources where she served with distinction from 2019 to 2023. She has been featured in several publications and media outlets such as The Washington Post, People, and 60 Minutes. Luck-Brimmer is the owner of Our History Matters, LLC, an entity that provides heritage tours, historic preservation consulting, and genealogy services.

Come prepared for a captivating evening as Karice delivers a dynamic presentation, and join in on a community conversation panel about the importance of cultural preservation of historic sites and underrepresented histories in Montgomery County. 

 Karice Luck-Brimmer is a Community Initiatives program associate for Virginia Humanities. She works primarily in the Dan River Region, where she collaborates with local community members to sustain a strong network of cultural organizations committed to positive change.

Save The Date

August 29, 2024, 7 pm @ the Lyric Theater, Blacksburg, VA

The Importance of the Preservation of African American Music in Middle Appalachia.

Earl White - Performer, Preservationist and Educator

Sponsors:

  • Radford University Black Studies Center

  • More Than a Fraction Foundation

  • Imaginations Library of Montgomery County

The Crucial Significance of Preserving and Sharing Black History | Feb. 15th, 2024 at 7:00 PM @ The Lyric Theater, Blacksburg, Virginia

PAST SPEAKER

Christiansburg Institute (CI, Inc.) hosted a captivating evening on February 15th at 7:00 PM ET at The Lyric Theater in Blacksburg, VA. This marked the launch of our inaugural speaker series, a collaborative project between CI, Inc. and the Montgomery County Community Review Council (MCCRC).

The intricate cultural tapestry and history of Roanoke, VA, was explored and its profound connections to Montgomery County through the lens of Jordan Bell—a distinguished community historian, professional educator, and dedicated cultural organizer was examined. A Roanoke native deeply immersed in the region's history, Jordan currently serves as the Program Coordinator at Apple Ridge Farms and is the Founder and President of Gainsboro Revisited. Additionally, Jordan holds board positions at the Harrison Museum of African American Culture and the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation.

Preserving the Historic Gainsboro in Roanoke, Va.

Jordan Bell's passion for African American cultural heritage, history, and storytelling is palpable through his extensive research and preservation efforts, particularly focused on Gainsboro—a historically Black community in Roanoke. Jordan delivered a dynamic presentation, setting the stage for an immersive panel discussion featuring local community members.

This event provided an enlightening exploration of the region's heritage.

MCCRC PRESENTATIONS & WEBINARS

MCCRC Presentation to Blacksburg Town Council Video Recording | Feb 27, 2024 at 6:30 PM (starting at 12:22 min)

MCCRC Presentation to Blacksburg Town Council Video Recording | July 25, 2023 at 6:30 PM

MCCRC Historic Preservation Webinar via Zoom and Facebook LIVE | July 10, 2023

Let’s work together.

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly! We can't wait to hear from you!