Our 2025 Keynote Speaker
Erika Alexander
Our 2025 Virginia Black History Month Gala keynote speaker is a veteran actress, director, producer, and activist Ms. Ericka Alexander
Her Distinguished Bio
Erika Alexander is an actress, trailblazing activist, entrepreneur, creator, producer, director, and one of the country’s boldest, most daring, and most powerful voices. Recognizing the power of storytelling, Erika believes that though content must be entertaining, stories have a tremendous capacity to create impact and meaningful social change. As co-founder of Color Farm Media, she is on a mission to bring greater equity, inclusion, and diverse representation to both media and electoral politics.
Erika is beloved for her iconic acting roles including:
• Maxine Shaw (LIVING SINGLE, garnering two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actress/Comedy Series)
• Detective Latoya (GET OUT)
• Cousin Pam (THE COSBY SHOW)
• Perenna (BLACK LIGHTNING)
• Linda Diggs (WUTANG: AN AMERICAN SAGA)
• Barb Ballard (RUN THE WORLD; nominated for NAACP Best Guest Actor)
• Meredith Lockhart (SWIMMING WITH SHARKS)
• Abby Keegan (SHINING GIRLS, the critically acclaimed Apple+ series with Elisabeth Moss)
• Miss Carmen (EARTH MAMA which premiered at Sundance 2023)
Erika has recently stepped boldly into the arena of film director, with her debut film THE BIG PAYBACK, co-directed with Whitney Dow. The film debuted at the Tribeca Festival and premiered on PBS on MLK Day 2023. The documentary chronicles the story of the first reparations bill for African Americans in U.S. history.
She is also the creator/writer/producer of 2022 Audible Original’s Best True Crime Series and DuPont Columbia award-nominee, FINDING TAMIKA, and producer of the three-time, Emmy-nominated Best Documentary and winner, NAACP Best Documentary, JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE.
Her upcoming projects include THE UNTITLED NOVELIST project, directed by Cord Jefferson; with Jeffrey Wright, Tracy Ross, Sterling K. Williams, and Issa Rae.
A critical thought leader on racial and gender equity and leadership, she serves as a board member for One Fair Wage and is highly involved with social and racial justice organizations including The Poor People's Campaign, Color of Change, NAACP, and UNCF, among others.
Viola Ford Fletcher Fundraising Campaign
Our Guest of Honor
At 110 years old, Ms. Viola Ford Fletcher is living history! Mother Fletcher, as friends and family call her, is the oldest living eyewitness to the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. As a result of the massacre, her family lost everything. No insurance was ever paid, and no reparations were ever received. Therefore the Virginia Black History Month Association (VaBHMA), a 501c3 charitable organization, is raising $7,000 as an honorarium for Mother Fletcher and to bring her to our 25th Anniversary Virginia Black History Month Gala in Arlington, Virginia. There she will be presented with our distinguished Black History Month Award as the Guest of Honor. With your help, the Virginia Black History Month Association can reach this goal and continue the work we’ve set out to do in this campaign. Please help if you can. Every donation makes a difference. The largest donor or corporation will join me on stage to present the award.
Homes & Families Destroyed
Victims combing the ruins for their possessions
Business Destroyed
More than one thousand homes and businesses were destroyed
Her Book, "Don't Let Them Bury My Story"
Ms. Viola Ford Fletcher
Help us provide Mother Fletcher with an Honorarium
The Virginia Black History Month Association is currently looking for corporate donors and organizations to raise $7,000 to fund the honorarium to bring Mother Fletcher to northern Virginia. All proceeds will go directly to Mother Fletcher.
Purchase Your 2025 Gala Tickets Here
TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE! Click below to secure your seating or table for the 2025 Black History Month Gala! Consider purchasing our VIP ticket which includes a picture with the keynote speaker, access to our VIP Social, a dual entree meal (Chicken and Beef), and VIP Seating.