Donnette Cooper became involved with the museum shortly after former President George W. Bush signed legislation creating it in 2003.

“It’s so surprising that it’s already 10 years. I became involved in the museum very early on, right after President Bush signed into law the creation of the museum and during the planning stage,” Cooper said.

The museum opened on the National Mall on Sept. 24, 2016, and anniversary events are scheduled for Sept. 24 through Sept. 27.

Derek Simms, the museum’s associate director of advancement, said the anniversary will be an opportunity to reflect on a journey that began more than a century ago.

According to Simms, the effort dates to 1915, when African American Civil War veterans petitioned for a memorial on the National Mall recognizing their contributions.

“It wasn’t until the 1980s that Congressman John Lewis of Georgia wrote the legislation that eventually became our museum, but he had to reintroduce that legislation for 15 consecutive years,” Simms said.

The museum is expected to welcome its 14 millionth visitor soon, Simms said, and now counts tens of thousands of financial supporters.

“Our museum now has the largest number of members in the entire Smithsonian. More than 74,000 households support our museum every day for as little as $25 a year,” he said.

“It wouldn’t be possible without the community that we’ve built for our museum. And so that’s why we’re calling our 10th anniversary celebrations ‘,'” Simms said.

“I’m so proud that it has done so well over 10 years, touched so many people, opened a world to many who were not aware of the African American contributions, the history,” Cooper said.

Anniversary events

Friday, Sept. 25: “Understanding America: 10 Years of Excellence”

The museum’s founding director and Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III will participate in a discussion moderated by journalist Laura Coates. Registration is free, but advance tickets are required and seating is limited.

Saturday, Sept. 26: “The Purple Ball: Echoes of the Pearl”

Hosted by comedian Bill Bellamy at The Wharf, the fundraising event will feature performances by Grammy Award-winning artist and producer Jermaine Dupri & Friends and DJ D-Nice. Registration is required. Proceeds will support the museum’s exhibitions, programs and educational initiatives.

Sunday, Sept. 27: “Violet Vibes: A Community Celebration”

The closing event will feature daylong programming at The Wharf celebrating the museum’s first decade. Admission is free, though space is limited. Registration information will be released in September.

Sweet Home Café

The museum’s Sweet Home Café will mark the anniversary with a special menu curated by Executive Chef Ramin Coles from Sept. 25-27. A yearlong 10th-anniversary menu featuring seasonal offerings will debut Sept. 28.

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In a to the General Services Administration, Mary Okin, assistant director of the Living New Deal, expressed concerns about potential damage to historic murals located inside the Wilbur J. Cohen Building, which faces Turn 6 of the race course.

She asked the GSA to take additional steps to protect historic structures from vibrations caused by IndyCar vehicles in the race organized by the White House-led organization Freedom 250. With the possibility of the cars driving over 160 mph, the race may bring adverse effects to the murals “due to vibratory impacts likely with sound waves in excess of 130 (decibels) during the race,” Okin wrote.

“They’re in pretty good condition,” Okin told �Ӱ�ԭ�� of the murals. “The government has done quite a lot to look after them. They’ve been conserved, and in fact, that’s why we know that they are so fragile.”

The building, erected between 1939 and 1940, is often referred to as the “Sistine Chapel of the New Deal” because of its multiple murals from that period. Most notably, it houses in the lobby of its Independence Avenue entrance, which face the racetrack.

The building is also home to a three-panel mural which depicts the ills the program was meant to help alleviate.

“These are artworks that celebrate American prosperity and American financial security as a result of Social Security and the New Deal more broadly, which was designed to help ordinary families recover from the Great Depression,” Okin told �Ӱ�ԭ��.

Okin asked the GSA to take additional steps to protect historic structures from the vibrations caused by the IndyCar vehicles participating in the race.

“Given how important these artworks are, there should be all kinds of protections taken, and also a case made that this race should not happen here,” Okin said. “I don’t think a race like this would ever happen under other administrations, because it’s just foolish and reckless.”

In a statement to �Ӱ�ԭ��, the GSA said it reviewed the proposed route “for potential impact on our nearby assets and identified no areas of concern.”

“Like millions of other Americans, we fully support the patriotic celebrations happening in our nation’s capital, including the Freedom 250 Grand Prix,” a GSA spokesperson said.

�Ӱ�ԭ��/José Umaña

�Ӱ�ԭ��/José Umaña

�Ӱ�ԭ��/José Umaña

�Ӱ�ԭ��/José Umaña

�Ӱ�ԭ��/José Umaña

�Ӱ�ԭ��/José Umaña

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Sculptures, artwork on National Mall boarded up

Meanwhile, the National Gallery of Art is preparing for the race differently. Multiple outdoor artworks have been boarded up and secured as construction crews work to put barriers around the proposed race course.

�Ӱ�ԭ�� found the gallery’s triangular skylights boarded up, and “Tom’s,” an outdoor sheet metal monument between the West Building and the Sculpture Garden, secured by a wooden barrier.

In a statement to �Ӱ�ԭ��, spokesperson Chris Abanavas said the National Gallery of Art conducted a vibration study in preparation for the race. Based on the results, the gallery plans to implement “a set of measures to ensure the safety of our staff, visitors, collection and facilities.”

The gallery and The Sculpture Garden face large portions of the proposed track layout.

“While we are not releasing the specifics, I can share that any such measures are only being taken out of an abundance of caution,” Abanavas said, adding that the coverings will be removed later in the summer.

During race weekend, the Smithsonian plans to open the three museums located around the race track to those with Grand Prix tickets. However, the institution did not say if any exhibits or sculptures would be closed due to the race.

The National Park Service, which provided the permits for the race, directed all requests for comment to IndyCar, the racing body putting together the race.

In a statement to �Ӱ�ԭ��, a Freedom 250 Grand Prix spokesperson said IndyCar has “tremendous respect for the history and the structures” surrounding the race track on the National Mall.

“INDYCAR has successfully hosted races on downtown street circuits in urban areas for decades,” the statement read. “With this excellent track record and the thorough preparation we have done for this event, we do not anticipate any impact on the structures surrounding the circuit as a result of the racing activity at the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix.”

Despite all the protective measures race officials have put in place, Okin said she remains uneasy about holding a race with loud cars so close to delicate artwork on the National Mall.

“I certainly hope that I’m wrong and we’re wrong, and that the murals stay intact, obviously,” Okin said. “But I don’t know that this is worth the risk.”

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The event, which features new participating restaurant, runs until Aug. 23.

“We have a few new spots joining us. A restaurant called Umaya Sushi in the West End, Da Kao Thai Eatery is a new restaurant participating this year,” Andrew Postal, the director of communications with Visit Alexandria, told �Ӱ�ԭ��.

“It’s a really great time to explore the city, and if you really want to squeeze that last bit of summer.”

Postal said Restaurant Week has something for everyone, with some offerings under $50.

“The prix fixe dinner menus are at $35, $45 and $55 per person, and there are special offerings at participating fast casual restaurants throughout the city,” he said.

In its , Visit Alexandria announced that tourism spending from travelers living more than 50 miles away grew to $1 billion for the first time in history.

Leaders hope that trend will continue following recent events that attracted many visitors.

“You know, we’ve really had a banner summer with America 250 and the World Cup converging in Alexandria,” Postal said. “So it’s just been a really busy time in the city, and we’ve just been really excited by all of the amazing folks who’ve come to visit and experience those two events this summer.”

Alexandria’s sidewalk sale is also underway Sunday and includes dozens of boutiques.

View the menus .

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Thousands of school supplies, including free backpacks, were donated at an event at Freedom High School in Woodbridge, Virginia, Saturday.

The event was organized by Prince William County Public Schools and the Prince William County Community Foundation.

Additionally, 12,000 pounds of free groceries and other snacks were also donated at a time when some say they are feeling financial pressure. Some attendees told �Ӱ�ԭ�� they have been struggling to make ends meet.

It’s not been easy for Cynthia Asante and her three children, whose father was deported six months ago.

“I don’t have family here. I don’t have nobody helping me. I’m hustling by myself,” Asante said.

Organizers said it’s about making sure kids are taken care of before they go back to school soon.

“This is our sixth year doing this. We started back in 2020 with 500 people, and now it has blossomed to over 12,000 people,” said Dr. Vanessa M. Gattis, president and CEO of Prince William County Community Foundation. “We want to ensure that our community residents have all that they need.”

Amazon’s new “Think Big Space,” featuring hands-on STEM exploration and interactive challenges, also participated in the event.

Students return to class on Aug. 24 in Prince William County.

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“For the last 10 years, we haven’t been quoting the fare because the GM, even before Randy, knew that quoting the fare increased operators’ assault,” ATU Local 689 President Raymond Jackson said.

Metro employees and union leaders stood outside the Silver Spring Metro station for the protest.

Jackson is calling on Metro to reverse the protocol requiring bus drivers to announce the cost of a trip before every ride, which was implemented in May.

“They’re going to have these operators risk their lives,” he said.

The protest comes after a bus driver was repeatedly punched by a rider. The assault was that Jackson said has gone viral.

“The guy got up on the bus. The operator said the fare is $2.25,” he said. “Physically, I think he’s doing a little better. Mentally, I mean, it went viral.”

“Safety is our core value. We care deeply about our staff and customers, and that will never change. We remain focused on providing a safe system for all in collaboration with our partners,” a Metro spokesperson said on X.

Metro from the D.C. Council in June 2025 to allow special police officers on buses, and they say the union lobbied against the safety enhancement.

The union responded by saying that it’s a “redirection,” adding they can’t find any evidence to support those claims.

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Janice Lee Howard, 80, is the current owner of the home in the 1000 block of Pendleton Street known as the Pendleton Rooming House. The building has served as more than just affordable shelter for the Black community.

“As Black Americans, even in Alexandria, it was places that we couldn’t even go. It was sections of Alexandria that Blacks did not travel through,” historian Stephanie Johnson said.

Howard’s family has owned the mixed-use building for more than a century.

“Ten rooming houses, and then there’s a kitchen and a sitting room, and a sitting room on the first level. Many bathrooms,” Howard said.

In addition to providing rooms for rent to people in need of an affordable place to stay, the building has been used in many ways over the years. It has housed businesses, including a bakery owned by Howard’s grandfather.

During segregation, it also provided lodging for Black people visiting the area.

Among those who stayed there were Elijah Muhammad, the founder of the Nation of Islam. The building also hosted famous musicians, NAACP meetings and other community gatherings.

“They believed that we have to help each other,” Howard said.

With help from a federal grant, workers began renovating the Pendleton Rooming House in April 2025. The project is expected to be completed in October.

“Installation of geothermal, the addition of safety and accessibility improvements, and the restoration of the former commercial space along Henry Street, are made possible through support from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the offices of U.S. Rep. Don Beyer and U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine,” .

“There’s so many people in Alexandria who cannot afford to live in Alexandria,” Howard said.

Some of the rooms are priced at $800 in an area where a one-bedroom apartment can rent for more than $2,000. Previous tenants are expected to return once the renovation is complete this fall.

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“We’re launching a fundamentals of AI certificate for our students this fall. It’s degree granting, it’s like a half a minor for all students,” said Talitha Washington, executive director for Howard’s Center for Applied Data Science and Analytics.

Washington is looking forward to new options for students interested in the rapidly evolving world of AI.

“We’ll also be building and expanding our curriculum at the graduate level,” she said.

The courses will range from an introduction to AI to discussions about ethics and bias.

“One is the introduction to AI tools and technologies. It’s an applied approach to understand what are the different types of AI, what are the different types of technology, and what are the different types of tools that are being used,” she said.

Another course being offered focuses on ethical and responsible AI.

“Where we look at governance frameworks across different sectors, be it industry, government, higher education, and look at how the different sectors are creating these, we’ll say, ethical and responsible AI structures as they develop and produce their products, goods and services,” Washington said.

Students have also been using AI to experiment with other researchers, such as Howard professor Gloria Washington.

“What they did was they took voice data from different Black communities to create their own large language models, so that it would understand the different dialects, tonalities, words and so on,” Talitha Washington said.

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The new students, along with the university community in Northwest D.C., can expect to see new dorms and retailers in 2029 at Wonder Plaza, a former Wonder Bread bakery.

The university acquired the building on Georgia Avenue in 1993, and “soft-demolition activities” are now underway, the university said.

The company behind the redevelopment said the spaces formerly occupied by the businesses will be converted into a nine-story building featuring 280 student housing units, a dining hall, some ground-floor retail and a wellness center.

More details about the redevelopment plans .

But for now, current students said that after the closure of longtime restaurants such as Negril and others along Georgia Avenue, they miss having more dining options.

“It’s been really hard trying to get other food options. We do have like two cafeterias and we have a Chick-fil-A on campus, but other than that, all we have is the McDonald’s on Georgia Avenue, and that’s not very a healthy food option,” student Reagann Davis said.

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The meetup drew about 100 people to Woodbridge at around 2 a.m. Saturday, Prince William County police said.

“I guess there was some sort of altercation. There was a shooting and then our victim was struck in the upper body,” Lt. Jonathan Perok said.

Investigators are asking anyone who was there — or anyone with video — to contact Prince William County Police as they continue to investigate.

“Since there were multiple people in attendance, we’re sure someone has some sort of information that can help us track down who our shooter is,” Perok said.

The teen wasn’t the only shooting victim at a car meetup over the weekend.

Prince George’s County police said they went to a Landover meetup on the 2300 block of Beaver Road to interview witnesses after a woman walked into the University of Maryland Capital Region Hospital early Sunday with a gunshot wound.

“… People have been injured and killed at car meet ups. And despite all warnings from the Chief, people continue to put themselves at risk. Property and cars are damaged. Many drivers are there to sell dangerous drugs and are in possession of weapons,” Prince George’s County police said in a social media post about the incident.

Police across the region have been reminding residents attending car meetups to remain vigilant.

“Car meets in this region, not just in Prince William County, but across the DMV, are known to occur,” Perok said.

“Typically, we get advised of them and try to disperse crowds when we know about them. I don’t believe we knew about this one prior to the shooting taking place.”

Car lovers can also opt for events that are hosted by organizations in the region, which include security precautions.

“We would obviously encourage folks that if they like cars, if they’re into that scene, that they attend actual events that are a little more organized and structured,” Perok said.

See a map of the Prince William County shooting location below:

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Prince William County police said James Rastatter II was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts of brandishing, one count of impersonating an officer and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to investigators, Rastatter impersonated a police officer during two incidents on Dale Boulevard, near Forestdale and Darbydale avenues. The encounters occurred around 9 p.m. on July 19 and July 20.

In the first incident, a 25-year-old man told police Rastatter approached him, displayed a gun, claimed he was a police officer and then asked for a ride.

In the second incident, a 21-year-old man said Rastatter brandished a firearm in his direction.

No injuries were reported in either incident.

Rastatter is scheduled to appear in court in September.

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At , camp participants can also get mental health support as they navigate difficult chapters in their lives.

“We have a significant number of campers and families that have experienced homelessness. A number have been exposed to domestic violence. We have several campers that have had significant loss in their family or loss of a significant caregiver, so a parent has passed away or a grandparent who was caregiving for them,” said Joe Wilson, senior director for mental health services with the Jewish Social Service Agency.

He said there are also campers who “have histories of physical and sexual abuse and neglect that really struggle with how to manage themselves after those kinds of experiences.”

High school senior Karma Moore said the five‑week summer camp has helped her with her anxiety and motivated her to become an art therapist when she graduates.

“I have really bad social anxiety,” she said.

The Jewish Social Service Agency, which has offices in Rockville and Northern Virginia,  has been partnering with Montgomery County Public Schools since 2024 to nurture Camp Greentree.

“We send weekend food bags home. We also have a pop‑up clothing store,” Wilson said. “We ensure that whatever is happening for the family that they need support with will continue after camp is over, which is really important.”

Camp Greentree is serving 90 kids this summer. Registration for next summer opens at the start of 2026. Students can get a referral from their school counselor to sign up.

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“The number of people who visited a Virginia hospital emergency department (ED) as a self-pay patient — meaning they did not have insurance or did not present proof of insurance to pay for their care — reached a four-year high of 405,584 patients in 2025. That represents a 49% increase from 2022, when 272,185 ED visits were classified as self-pay,” according to a statement from the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association.

Julian Walker, Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association’s vice president of communications, said the rise in patients who do not have insurance, or proof of insurance, in Virginia emergency departments is alarming, especially considering recent changes in federal legislation.

“It suggests that there are more people who potentially are in the ranks of the uninsured and that is on the front end of some of the changes in H.R. 1, the Budget Reconciliation Act of 2025, sometimes called the One Big Beautiful Bill,” he said.

The One Big Beautiful Bill will mean some .

“That cuts healthcare funding significantly, about a trillion dollars over a decade period, and it is projected to lead to as many as 10 million Americans losing healthcare coverage and potentially 300,000 or more Virginians losing healthcare coverage,” Walker said.

If the trend among those who rely on self-pay in emergency departments continues, hospitals are worried about other impacts.

“That leads to more charity care, and in turn, that leads to higher costs, even for people who are not engaged in the Medicaid system, who are connected to commercial insurance through an employer-sponsored plan. The employer has to pay more. The worker pays more in terms of their withdrawals from their paychecks, the premiums, copays, co-insurance, out-of-pocket costs, high-deductible plans, all of those things,” Walker said.

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“We asked parents and guardians, ‘Do you plan to reduce spending this year on your back‑to‑school expenses?’ And 48% said yes,” said Adriana Ocañas, consumer credit cards analyst at U.S. News.

The looked at responses from 1,200 parents and guardians.

“We found it’s not necessarily the price of back‑to‑school supplies and items that’s weighing heavily on budgets this year. It’s more so the price of everything else. Eighty percent of families say that it’s the cost of gas and groceries and other everyday necessities,” Ocañas said.

Another factor impacting some parents this year is job loss.

“Almost a third of parents and guardians — about 29% — say that they’ve lost their job within the past three to six months, which is 4% higher than it was last year,” she said.

More than half the parents surveyed also say they already started back‑to‑school shopping, and they plan on spending up to $300 per child. And more than 20% of parents and guardians surveyed by U.S. News say they expect their children to help cover back‑to‑school costs, with an allowance or earnings from a summer job.

“More children of those with a household income of over $150,000 are expected to contribute financially compared with children of those who come from a household of under $50,000. So we believe that has a lot to do with the implementation of generational wealth,” Ocañas said.

Clothing and shoes expenses seem to be one of the most popular categories parents plan to spend on.

Some will try to save this year by thrifting, visiting community centers and more.

“Parents are doing those tried‑and‑true methods by store hopping and trying to find the best deals and the best discounts. Other ways are shopping during retailer events like Prime Day, waiting for those sales tax holidays,” Ocañas said.

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Alexandria City Hall is getting a major makeover, but nearby businesses said the yearslong construction project is already affecting foot traffic, especially among customers who can no longer find convenient parking.

Businesses in the 100 block of North Fairfax Street, including the Today’s Cargo jewelry store, said they have noticed changes in shopping habits since the City Hall renovation project began this year.

“The store’s been in business for 53 years, so we do have a lot of customers who are of a certain age, and it’s just more challenging when they can’t park nearby,” manager Debra Devers told �Ӱ�ԭ��.

She said parking options have become limited during construction, which is expected to continue for more than two years.

According to the city’s website, incudes renovations to the historic 1871 City Hall building, demolition of a 1960s structure and a replacement of Market Square Plaza and it’s 90,000-square-foot parking garage.

The project has also led to temporary pedestrian disruptions. The city said the north sidewalk along King Street in front of City Hall, between North Royal and North Fairfax streets, is closed through Aug. 8, with alternate pedestrian routes in place.

City leaders said the upgrades are needed to repair aging infrastructure, improve security and optimize space.

In the meantime, Devers said business owners are preparing for what could be a more difficult stretch once tourist season ends.

“It’s great now because there’s a lot of tourists in town. But once that quiets down, then what’s it going to be like?” Devers said. “That might be when we have to start thinking about being proactive with ideas of sending out one of our email blasts,” Devers said.

City services, including the offices of the city manager, city clerk, mayor and City Council, have temporarily relocated to 421 King St. while City Hall remains closed.

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You may soon notice new murals in D.C., as part of the District’s DC250 Mural Project.

“Public art is a fantastic way to celebrate our country’s semi-quincentennial — through art, we can share our stories, celebrate our shared values, and inspire future generations,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a news release announcing the project.

Coordinated by the city’s Department of Public Works, eight D.C.-based artists will create one new mural for each of the eight wards of the city over the next few weeks, with each mural reflecting the history and character of the neighborhood it appears in.

At least two of the murals have been completed, one in Ward 4 and artist Luis Del Valle’s mural in Ward 7.

“To me, it just means that we’re celebrating the successes that happened, even when happening with the civil rights movement, we’re not where we want to be, but we have moved further (across) the line,” Del Valle said about the 250th anniversary celebratory murals.

“So 250 anniversaries means that we get to celebrate some of the accomplishments, but we also get to acknowledge that we have a lot of work to do,” he said.

Del Valle’s Ward 7 mural is located near the Shrimp Boat Plaza at 4510 East Capitol Street in Northeast D.C. It features images of children, with bright colors and more.

“On the right-hand side here, I have a eagle that is fishing. The eagle is the symbol of the United States. And as you move through the mural in the middle, we have a little young girl that kind of represents the future and hope. And as we move toward the far left, we have a little boy that’s fishing, so that is the little boy that was taught how to fish,” Del Valle said.

Del Valle wanted to ensure that the images would bring a smile to people’s faces.

“Each of the colors here are actually very uplifting. So when people see them, it brings them joy and happiness, and sometimes they don’t really know why. But in the subconscious, the colors really affect you, and when you mix that with the little children, especially children, always attract people and always bring happiness to them,” he said.

Here is the list of murals in the project and where to find them:

• Ward 1: Ben’s Chili Bowl, by Aniekan Udofia. Work begins in August.
• Ward 2: Blagden Alley entrance, 1312 9th Street, NW, by Julia Kagan. Work begins next week.
• Ward 3: Macomb Recreation Center, 3409 Macomb Street, NW, by Demont Pinder. Work begins next week.
• Ward 4: 5816 Georgia Avenue, NW, by Federico Frum. Complete.
• Ward 5: Metropolitan Branch Trail, 2000 5th Street, NE, by artist Asad Walker. Work begins next week.
• Ward 6: Henceforth restaurant, 1335 H Street, NE, by Mia Duvall. Work completed this week.
• Ward 7: Shrimp Boat Plaza, 4510 East Capitol Street, NE, by Luis Del Valle. Complete.
• Ward 8: Southeast Tennis and Learning Center, 701 Mississippi Avenue, SE, by Nabi Bilal and Candace Taylor. Work begins in August.

�Ӱ�ԭ��’s Diane Morris contributed to this report.

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