Recognizing Black History Month in Our Community
Timmy Green, Pilot Brewer
In collaboration with BJ Swing, Marketing & Creative Manager
As the country recognizes Black History Month, it’s an important opportunity for us at Starr Hill Brewery to continue to appreciate and understand the foundations in the communities of which we are a part.
Growing up in Charlottesville, at a young age I was always told, “Don’t forget where you come from”. Having grown up close to my grandfather, Booker T. Reaves, who was a well-respected educator and leader in the Charlottesville community, he always taught me to have respect for myself, others, and my community. In his time as Principal of The Jefferson School and Assistant Superintendent of Charlottesville City Schools, he instilled that education and learning were paramount, especially for Black people.
I’ve been working for Starr Hill for almost 16 years and am proud to be a part of the craft beer culture, especially here in Charlottesville. It wasn’t until 2021 when I received The Michael James Jackson Foundation (MJF) scholarship award for brewing that I was finally able to go to brewing school and attain the necessary technical knowledge to advance my career in a craft that I absolutely love.
Our brewery and music hall were founded in Downtown Charlottesville and named after the area of its original location, the Starr Hill neighborhood. A historically African American community, it’s said that the area was named after the many educated and wealthy Black families who developed and grew the community—the Stars. This is recounted by Rebecca McGinness in the “From Porch Swings to Patios: Oral History Project” It’s unknown why the extra ”r” was added.
West Main Street is the main thoroughfare connecting The University of Virginia and Charlottesville's Downtown district in the heart of the city. From the late 1800s to the mid-1960s, the area flourished with a variety of small businesses owned by African American families, such as Inge’s Grocery Store. In 1965, the connecting neighborhood of Vinegar Hill was razed as part of urban renewal plans initiated in the 1950s. Many of the community’s families were displaced and those businesses were shut down by the city. The documentary “Raised/Razed” records the stories of those family members. A major artery of the city’s heart had been severed. It wasn’t until 1978, that the city turned its attention back to the area and a federal grant was used to invest in the Starr Hill Revitalization Project. Funds were used towards housing, business, and street improvements. Most recently, the Starr Hill Vision Plan was adopted into the City Comprehensive Plan.
Our brewery has also been a proud supporter of The Jefferson School, through our Cheers for Charity initiative. The Jefferson School is a historically African American school in the Starr Hill neighborhood. The school has taken on many roles over the years and is now a community center focusing on the mission to honor and preserve the rich heritage and legacy of the African American community of Charlottesville-Albemarle.
The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
As we reflect on Black History Month, please see these wonderful resources that help highlight and celebrate the importance of our Black community:
The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
The Michael James Jackson Foundation for Brewing & Distilling