Volunteer for the 2026 Annual Slave Memorial Wreath-Laying Ceremony
Honor the Past. Inspire the Future.
Join Black Women United for Action, the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, and community partners for the Annual Slave Memorial Wreath-Laying Ceremony, a meaningful commemoration honoring the lives, resilience, faith, and contributions of enslaved Africans at Mount Vernon and throughout the nation.
Saturday, October 3, 2026
11:00 a.m.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
2026 Theme: Hush Harbor — Freedom, Faith and Resilience.
During slavery, Hush Harbors were secluded gathering places where enslaved Africans worshipped, prayed, sang, preserved cultural traditions, supported one another, and found hope away from the watchful eyes of those who oppressed them. The 2026 ceremony will honor these sacred spaces and the enduring legacy of courage, community, faith, and freedom they represent.
Help Us Welcome 1,000+ Guests
Volunteers are essential to creating an organized, welcoming, and memorable experience for attendees, dignitaries, performers, students, faith communities, and families from across the region and beyond. Opportunities are available before the ceremony and on the day of the event.
Volunteer Committees
Choose an area that reflects your interests, experience, or community connections:
International Relations
Coordinate ambassadors, international delegates, hospitality, protocol, transportation, and cultural representation.
Pan-Hellenic Outreach
Engage Black Greek-letter organizations, recruit attendees and volunteers, and coordinate ceremonial participation.
Musicians & Performances
Recruit and coordinate choirs, drummers, soloists, spoken-word artists, and cultural performers.
Churches & Interfaith Outreach
Connect with clergy, congregations, ministries, and faith-based networks.
Service Organizations
Engage civic, professional, military, public-safety, veterans, and community organizations.
Public Relations & Communications
Support media outreach, press releases, social media, community publications, and event promotion.
Businesses & Community Sponsors
Build relationships with businesses, foundations, nonprofits, and community partners.
VIP, Political & Military Leaders
Assist with protocol, reserved seating, escorts, accommodations, and dignitary hospitality.
Youth Engagement
Recruit student readers, youth groups, scouting organizations, ministries, and young volunteers.
Education & Institutions
Partner with schools, universities, HBCUs, educators, students, faculty, alumni, and families.
Ceremony & Event Operations
Support registration, guest check-in, seating, accessibility, signage, volunteer assignments, speakers, performers, setup, and day-of logistics.
Most committee assignments require approximately 1–4 hours per week, with additional time for selected event-day roles.
What We Ask of Volunteers
Volunteers are encouraged to participate in committee meetings, assist with outreach, attend orientation or venue walk-throughs, communicate regularly with committee leaders, and represent the ceremony with professionalism, warmth, and respect.
There is no monetary contribution required to volunteer. Your time, relationships, skills, ideas, and commitment are the gifts that make this ceremony possible.
Be Part of This Historic Community Celebration
Help preserve history, educate future generations, strengthen community connections, and honor those whose courage and resilience continue to inspire us.
Honor the Past. Inspire the Future.
Join Black Women United for Action, the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, and community partners for the Annual Slave Memorial Wreath-Laying Ceremony, a meaningful commemoration honoring the lives, resilience, faith, and contributions of enslaved Africans at Mount Vernon and throughout the nation.
Saturday, October 3, 2026
11:00 a.m.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
2026 Theme: Hush Harbor — Freedom, Faith and Resilience.
During slavery, Hush Harbors were secluded gathering places where enslaved Africans worshipped, prayed, sang, preserved cultural traditions, supported one another, and found hope away from the watchful eyes of those who oppressed them. The 2026 ceremony will honor these sacred spaces and the enduring legacy of courage, community, faith, and freedom they represent.
Help Us Welcome 1,000+ Guests
Volunteers are essential to creating an organized, welcoming, and memorable experience for attendees, dignitaries, performers, students, faith communities, and families from across the region and beyond. Opportunities are available before the ceremony and on the day of the event.
Volunteer Committees
Choose an area that reflects your interests, experience, or community connections:
International Relations
Coordinate ambassadors, international delegates, hospitality, protocol, transportation, and cultural representation.
Pan-Hellenic Outreach
Engage Black Greek-letter organizations, recruit attendees and volunteers, and coordinate ceremonial participation.
Musicians & Performances
Recruit and coordinate choirs, drummers, soloists, spoken-word artists, and cultural performers.
Churches & Interfaith Outreach
Connect with clergy, congregations, ministries, and faith-based networks.
Service Organizations
Engage civic, professional, military, public-safety, veterans, and community organizations.
Public Relations & Communications
Support media outreach, press releases, social media, community publications, and event promotion.
Businesses & Community Sponsors
Build relationships with businesses, foundations, nonprofits, and community partners.
VIP, Political & Military Leaders
Assist with protocol, reserved seating, escorts, accommodations, and dignitary hospitality.
Youth Engagement
Recruit student readers, youth groups, scouting organizations, ministries, and young volunteers.
Education & Institutions
Partner with schools, universities, HBCUs, educators, students, faculty, alumni, and families.
Ceremony & Event Operations
Support registration, guest check-in, seating, accessibility, signage, volunteer assignments, speakers, performers, setup, and day-of logistics.
Most committee assignments require approximately 1–4 hours per week, with additional time for selected event-day roles.
What We Ask of Volunteers
Volunteers are encouraged to participate in committee meetings, assist with outreach, attend orientation or venue walk-throughs, communicate regularly with committee leaders, and represent the ceremony with professionalism, warmth, and respect.
There is no monetary contribution required to volunteer. Your time, relationships, skills, ideas, and commitment are the gifts that make this ceremony possible.
Be Part of This Historic Community Celebration
Help preserve history, educate future generations, strengthen community connections, and honor those whose courage and resilience continue to inspire us.
