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For over two decades, FAHI has been the keeper of Martinsville's African-American story; preserving voices, places, and legacies that deserve to be celebrated, not forgotten.
OUR STORY
Born from a Block.
Built for a Community.
FAHI was founded in 2004 with a singular purpose: to preserve the memory of the once-thriving African-American business district along Fayette Street in Martinsville, Virginia. What began as a mission to document one remarkable histrory of local churches, military, social life, sports and transportation has grown into the only African-American history museum within a 30-mile radius, becoming a vital cultural institution for the entire region.
The story of Fayette Street is extraordinary. At its peak, Baldwin's Block was Martinsville's Black Wall Street: home to a café, auditorium, theater, drugstore, swimming pool, dance hall, and park. Dr. Dana Baldwin, one of the first Black doctors in the area, built the first hospital for African Americans here, along with an entire ecosystem of Black-owned enterprise, all during the era of segregation.
FAHI exists so that story is never lost and so the next generation knows exactly what their community built.
1929
Imperial Savings & Loan Association established, the institution that would one day house FAHI
1938
Baldwin Brothers found the June German Ball on Baldwin's Block; Jimmie Lunceford headlines the inaugural event
2004
FAHI is founded to preserve Fayette Street's rich but overlooked African-American history
2010
Imperial Savings & Loan closes after 81 years — the last Black-owned savings & loan in Virginia
2011
FAHI opens at 211 Fayette St in the former Imperial Savings & Loan building
2022
The Harvest Foundation awards FAHI a 3-year, $254,468 grant for strategic growth
2024
FAHI celebrates its 20th anniversary with the Harlem Renaissance exhibit and gala
Mission, Values and Goals
WHO WE ARE
Every exhibit, every program, every oral history session is guided by these commitments.
Our Mission
To collect, preserve, and interpret the African-American experience in Martinsville and Henry County.
This is achieved through recorded oral history, public forums, workshops, lectures, exhibits, and other special programs that keep this history alive and accessible to all.
Our Values
To grow passion and appreciation for local Black history across generations.
We envision a community that examines its history and from the strengths of that past, builds an increased capacity to create a brighter future for itself and those who come after.
Our Goals
Building a sustainable, growing institution for the long term enrichment of our community.
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Provide programming and educational outreach to the community
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Strengthen resource development and achieve financial stability
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Improve the building and grounds at 211 Fayette St
Meet Our Board of Directors
Leadership
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Charisse Hairston
Executive Director
Charisse Hairston has led FAHI as Executive Director since January 2023, bringing with her a deep commitment to community, a passion for local history, and a vision for what FAHI can become. A proud 2004 graduate of Magna Vista High School, Hairston is a homegrown leader whose love for Martinsville-Henry County is evident in everything she does.
Before joining FAHI, she served as Chief Executive Officer at Haven of the Dan River Region and as a Workforce Grants Specialist at Patrick Henry Community College. She holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from Liberty University and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is currently competing a Master's program from L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at VCU.
Under her leadership and with the support of her husband of 18 years, FAHI launched its celebrated Pro Athletes exhibit, expanded school programming, and has been building toward a capital campaign to grow the museum's permanent home.