Black Cville

Discover Black culture right here in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.

Black residents are an integral part of what makes the region a wonderful place to live, visit and explore.

We celebrate Black Culture, Black Stories and Black Joy. The Black community’s contributions to Charlottesville and our region dates back centuries, and you can learn about this legacy at these dynamic historic sites. Today, our community is thriving: Hosting exciting events, making wine at local wineries and taking the arts scene by storm. Discover exciting flavors and culinary creations at Black-owned restaurants. Groove to the music of emerging and established Black musicians at our local music venues.

Find more Black-owned and operated tourism experiences in our directory below. Use the filters to find what you are looking for. Follow Discover Black Cville on Facebook and Instagram for more travel inspiration.

If you have a local black-owned business or would like to support this effort, please email blackcville@gmail.com.

A Weekend of Black Culture in Charlottesville

If you're looking for a reason to spend a full weekend in Charlottesville, this is it.

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Experiencing America’s 250th as a Black Visitor in Charlottesville

By Scott Hamler, Discover Black Cville Steering Committee Chair

2026 marks America’s 250th anniversary, and celebrations will stretch across the country from coast to coast. You could spend July 4th in many places, but if you’re looking to visit a place where celebration and reflection sit side by side…

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Black Batteaumen and the History of the James River Batteau

Written by Philip Cobbs, Discover Black Cville Steering Committee Member

Before asphalt roads and freight trains, the rivers of Central Virginia were the highways of their time. The batteau was the truck that kept commerce moving.

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Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth in Charlottesville and Albemarle County

Juneteenth is one of the most meaningful celebrations on the Charlottesville calendar, and in 2026, the community is showing up in a big way!

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The Extraordinary Journey of Belle Gibbons: From Charlottesville to the World

Written by Ivan Orr, Jefferson School African American Heritage Center Researcher

When we speak of the legacy of the Jefferson School and the women who shaped its earliest years, we often begin with the indomitable Isabella Gibbons—formerly enslaved, later the celebrated teacher whose fierce intellect and compassion uplifted a generation of…

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Chuck Lewis and York Place: A Black-Owned Legacy on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall

Written by Scott Hamler, Discover Black Cville Steering Committee Chair

As Charlottesville marks the 50th anniversary of the Downtown Mall and the nation approaches its 250th year, this is a moment to reflect on the people who helped shape the city we experience today. One of those people is Charles…

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Raise a Glass: The Fourth Annual Two Up Wine Down Returns to Charlottesville & Albemarle County

Written by Reginald Leonard II, Co-Founder of Oenoverse & Steering Committee Member, Discover Black Cville

Two Up Wine Down is back for its fourth year, and if you've been seeing it all over your feed without quite knowing what it is, consider this your primer.

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Where Culture Meets the Vineyard: Experiencing Virginia Wine Month in Charlottesville

by Matt Harmon, Owner of Harmony Wine

October in Virginia is more than harvest season. It’s a celebration of community, creativity, and the evolving culture of wine in the heart of the Monticello Wine Trail.

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Charles Barbour: The Visionary Behind Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall

by Scott Hamler, Discover Black Cville Steering Committee Chair

When people stroll down Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall today, pausing at a café, catching a show at the Paramount, or listening to music on the Pavilion lawn, it is easy to take this vibrant pedestrian corridor for granted.

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My Trip To Charlottesville, Virginia Taught Me The Importance Of Black Ownership In America

by Marsha Badger

Fortunately for me, the next couple of days would be informative, eye-opening, and inspiring. I met some really dope people, ate like a person who knew her food was already paid for, and experienced a wide range of emotions that…

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How To Spend a Perfect Weekend in Black Charlottesville

by Brian Oliver

Often overlooked by what most perceive as only a college town, the city is ready to bring diverse communities together through its culture and charm. With a convenient location and close proximity to other nearby cities, a weekend in Charlottesville…

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A Changing Narrative at One of America’s Most Famous Presidential Homes

by Taryn White

While Jefferson’s life and notable accomplishments still remain at the forefront, new perspectives on the lives of enslaved people are being presented in richer detail.

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Explore Charlottesville and Albemarle County’s Black History From historical sites and museums to the Black-owned businesses at the heart of our community, here are ways you can explore the vibrant Black heritage of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Learn More

Explore Black-Owned Businesses

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Meet the Discover Black Cville Steering Committee

Edward Brooks

Community Engagement Program Manager at
B.F. Yancey School Community Center

Sherry Bryant

Chief Curator of Learning and Engagement at
Jefferson School African American Heritage Center

Philip Cobbs

Tour Guide

Tasha Durrett

Founder of
Black Women Who Wine

Scott Hamler

Owner of
4Z Digital Marketing

Matt Harmon

Owner of
Harmony Wine

Khalilah Jones

Owner of
Chic & Classy Image

Jae King

Founder of
Vibe Riot

Reginald Leonard II

Co-Founder of
Oenoverse

Benita Mayo

Black Artist Collective

Mobile Visitor Centers Begin Summer Break on July 15th.

Black Cville

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Meet the Discover Black Cville Steering Committee

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