In celebration of NoMa’s beautiful new Alethia Tanner Park, and in honor of the park’s namesake, the NoMa BID is hosting Alethia Tanner Day. Alethia was a formerly enslaved woman who purchased her freedom and the freedom of 23 family members and friends with money she earned by selling produce at outdoor markets. Alethia worked at a market in President’s Square, now known as Lafayette Square, where one of her customers was said to be President Thomas Jefferson. She likely also worked in the Jefferson White House. She continued to help the Black community and became a champion of education for Black people in the District. This day-long event will honor Alethia’s spirit of entrepreneurialism with the inclusion of a pop-up outdoor market, Neighbors DC, featuring all women of color vendors and makers. Other activities include:

• Music from DJ Mathias Broohm and Too Much Talent Band;
• Demonstrations and Double Dutch lessons from DC Retro Jumpers;
• Vegetable planting activities and seed packets;
• Food will be available for purchase from 7 Starr Wings.