MARTINSVILLE, Va. (Feb. 9, 2026) — Piedmont Arts’ annual African American Read-In and Family Day brought a crowd to the museum on Feb. 7 in celebration of Black History Month.
The family-friendly event featured storytelling by Fred Motley, performances by the Kuumba West African Dance Company, and a special appearance by Miss Commonwealth 2026 Victoria Howard. Guests also participated in a public read-aloud, sharing books, stories, and poems by their favorite African American authors.
Members of Piedmont Arts’ Teen Arts Council prepared two crafts for the children in attendance and helped participants create a unity wreath and a beaded bracelet to take home. There were free giveaways sponsored by the Piedmont Arts Guild, and volunteers from event sponsor Carter Bank served snacks.
The event was sponsored by Brightspeed and Carter Bank and held in conjunction with the National African American Read-In. This initiative encourages communities to read together, with a focus on African American books and authors. It was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month. It has reached more than six million participants worldwide.
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