Tag: Char McCargo Bah

The Other Alexandria: Singing for glory – Surviving breast cancer

By Char McCargo Bah The American Cancer Society says finding breast cancer early and getting state-of-the-art cancer treatment are two of the most important ways...

The Other Alexandria: ‘We Are the Mighty, Mighty Houston’

By Char McCargo Bah It was 1962 when Lawrence “Lucky” Elliott, who wore basketball jersey number 11, graduated from Parker-Gray High School. He enrolled in...

The Other Alexandria: Delivering the message

By Char McCargo Bah Many African Americans in Alexandria in 1940 were gearing up for World War II. The mandatory military draft was in place....

The Other Alexandria: An early victim of multiple sclerosis

By Char McCargo Bah In the 1940s, Corrine Idella Henry was full of life and dreams of one day marrying her military fiancé when she...

The Other Alexandria: A 160-year-old road map

By Char McCargo Bah Many former enslaved people made their way to Alexandria during the Civil War, and some of them decided to make Alexandria...

Alexandria Times podcast features genealogist Char McCargo Bah

By Cody Mello-Klein | [email protected] This month’s episode of Speak Easy, the Alexandria Times’ podcast, features an interview with genealogist and investigative researcher Char McCargo...

Genealogist traces lives and histories of African American families

By Cody Mello-Klein | [email protected] Char McCargo Bah did not learn about Alexandria’s Black history until she was 30. “We were taking this Black history tour,...

The Other Alexandria: The first coach of Parker-Gray High School

By Char McCargo Bah Parker-Gray High School had many dedicated teachers that taught African American children from 1920 to 1965. Those teachers spent their time...

Lauretta Dorsey Young sings for the world

By Char McCargo Bah Lauretta Dorsey Young was the voice heard ’round the world. She became a lyric soprano opera singer, performing for two former...

The Other Alexandria: The yesteryears of the Seminary community

By Char McCargo Bah Long ago during the Civil War and after, many African Americans migrated to the Seminary area called Falls Church. They bought...