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Liberation and Freedom Days Reparations Run/Walk

Sat February 28, 2026

Events

Liberation and Freedom Day: 8 Mile Run

Price: $40
Time: 7:20AM EST 11:00AM EST
Registration ends February 28, 2026 at 6:30am EST

Liberation and Freedom Day: 4 Mile Walk

Price: $25
Time: 7:00AM EST 11:30AM EST
Registration ends February 28, 2026 at 6:30am EST

Place

Race packets can be picked up in hallway outside of JSAAHC museum shop and cafe.

Description

The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center and Prolyfyck Run Crew  are partnering to present the annual Liberation + Freedom Day Run/Walk.  We are raising funds to support organizations with Black leadership that support the community directly. The near 8 mile run and 4 mile walk allows you to engage with some of the City’s important sites of African American history, while passing some of the African American businesses along the way. 

About Liberation and Freedom Day:

Liberation and Freedom Day is a municipal holiday in Charlottesville celebrated on March 3, to commemorate the day in 1865 when Union Major General Phillip Sheridan and his troops arrived in Charlottesville - liberating over 14,000 enslaved people.  

About Jefferson School African American Heritage Center:

Located in the Jefferson School City Center, The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center’s mission is to honor and preserve the rich heritage and legacy of the African-American community of Charlottesville-Albemarle, Virginia and to promote a greater appreciation for, and understanding of, the contributions of African Americans and peoples of the Diaspora locally, nationally and globally. The Center features a permanent historical exhibit, a rotating contemporary art gallery, and a robust calendar of events, all of which combine to highlight Charlottesville’s African American history and culture of the African diaspora.

About Prolyfyck:

Prolyfyck is more than a running community. To be Prolyfyck is a way of life, it's a culture. Prolyfyck’s main purpose is to work for the empowerment of those who support it, especially the historically marginalized Black and Brown communities. Our goal is to continue shedding light on the impact of racism, both past and present, rejecting those who would suppress or co-opt the talent of Black and Brown people, claiming ownership over their creativity. Instead, we encourage all to look deep within themselves to find their gifts and tap into their passions, working together with a spirit of unity and love to create a world where everyone can be Prolyfyck! 

Packet Pickup:

Pick up your bib and swag bag on Friday, February 27th at The Jefferson School Heritage Center from 4-6 pm. Bibs will also be available Sat, February 28th  before the start of the run/walk. We will be located outside of the JSAAHC Museum shop and Cafe.

Race Contact Info

If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.

Race Website

Additional race information can be found at https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1v5_mMD-KtF6aGnZXzyjv1Zq4tDmffhg&usp=sharing.

8 Mile Run Map

1. Leave Jefferson School head south toward Commerce St

Turn right onto Commerce St

2. Ebenezer Baptist Church

Head south on 6th St toward Main St

3. JF Bell Funeral Home

Turn right on Main St

4. First Baptist Church 

Head west on Main Street turn left onto JPA

5. Kitty Foster Memorial Park 

Head back onto JPA, turn right toward Emmet St take the pedestrian over pass, turn right toward McCormick Rd

Take McCormick Rd to Alderman Rd turn right, go right down gravel rd 

6. African American Burial ground 

Leave burial ground head east toward Emmet St South. Turn right onto University Ave go up the hill past the Rotunda

7. Memorial to Enslaved Laborers 

Continue onto W. Main St. Turn right on Roosevelt Brown Blvd. Turn left onto Cherry Ave, continue onto Elliot Ave 

8. Mount Zion 

Turn left onto 1st south to Oak st

9.Daughters of Zion Cemetery 

Continue west on Oak St, turn right on Ridge St

10. Barrett Early Learning Center

Head north toward downtown mall turn right up the downtown mall to 4th St, turn left to E. Jefferson St continue to 6th St

11. Court Square

Leave Court Square head south along High St. Cross Ridge-McIntire St continue along Preston to Rose Hill Drive 

12. Jackson P. Burley Middle School

Turn right onto Henry Ave

13 Washington Park

Cross Preston Ave to 10st NW

14. West St

Turn left on West St continue to Albemarle St, turn left

15. Pilgrim Baptist Church

Head south west on Albemarle St towards West st. Continue onto 7th St NW, continue onto 8th St Nw, turn left onto W. Main St, turn left onto 4th S

16 Inges Store

Head North on 4th St to Commerce St

17. End Jefferson School

 

 

 

 

 

4 Mile Walk Map

Liberation and Freedom Days: Reparation Run/Walk Directions
1.          Leaving the Jefferson School City Center and Pearl Island Catering, turn RIGHT onto 4th St. NW – 0.04 miles 
2.          Turn RIGHT onto Commerce St. – 0.1 miles 
Ebenezer Baptist Church, J.F. Bell Funeral Home
3.          Turn LEFT onto 6th St. NW – 0.05 miles 
4.          Turn RIGHT onto W. Main St. – 0.55 miles 
First Baptist Church, Mel’s Café
5.          Turn LEFT onto Jefferson Park Ave. (towards the UVA Hospital) – 0.62 miles
Kitty Foster Monument
6.          After passing through the 3rd stoplight, turn LEFT onto Stadium Rd. – 0.12 miles
7.          Turn RIGHT onto Whitehead Rd. – 0.24 miles
8.          Turn RIGHT onto Alderman Rd. – 0.2 miles
9.          Turn RIGHT onto McCormick Rd. – 0.72 miles
African American Burial Ground
10.    Go to the end of McCormick (past the University Chapel) and turn RIGHT onto University Ave. – 0.59 miles 
Memorial to Enslaved Laborers
11.    Continue straight. University Ave. turns into West Main St. Continue on West Main St. and turn LEFT onto 6th St. NW – 0.98 miles
12.    Turn RIGHT onto Commerce St. – 0.05 miles
13.    Turn LEFT onto 4th St. NW and back to the Jefferson School – 0.04 miles 
 

MapMyRun Map

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