May 7: The (NOT) Forgotten River Road Black Community

The Moses African Cemetery is where the post-Emancipation Black River Road Community buried their beloved family members for over half a century; hundreds of people were buried, including community leaders and Civil War veterans. The Macedonia Baptist Church cared for the cemetery through this era and is the last remaining institution of the community now known as Westbard in Bethesda, MD.

The Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition (BACC) seeks to stop the desecration of Moses Macedonia Cemetery, preserve the rich history of this once thriving African community, and consecrate Moses Macedonia Cemetery with a memorial and museum on River Road in Bethesda, Maryland.

During this special program, activists will share stories of displacement, erasure of memories, and dishonoring of the dead, while working for acknowledgement and repair. Presented by Rev. Segun Adebayo, Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church; Dr. Marsha Coleman Adebayo, President, Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition (BACC); Trustee Harvey Matthews, Sr., River Road Resident, and Mr. Robert Stubblefield, BACC Board Member.

The (NOT) Forgotten River Road Black Community is presented in conjunction with Undesign the Redline, on display at the Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library through July 11. The exhibit explores national and upper Northwest DC’s history of racial housing inequity. Learn more about the exhibit and other programs at undesigndc.org.

Registration is optional, but encouraged. Register here. 

Questions? Email undesigndc@gmail.com