Joseph A. Dugan, Jr. Hall of Valor Induction Ceremony
January 6, 2026Spotlight On: Hall of Valor: Part 2
January 21, 2026The John L. Ford, Sr. African American Heritage Celebration
February 26, 2026 – 7PM
Free Virtual Event
Free Virtual Event – Join us on Facebook or YouTube
WITH VALOR WE SERVED:
The African American Experience During the Civil War
African Americans played a significant role throughout the Civil War. This program will examine their considerable contributions with a focus on those who went “above and beyond” the call of duty on the battlefield. There will also be a special appearance by the Soldiers & Sailors 6th Regiment USCT Drum Corps. Please join us to learn about the substantial impact made by the African American community on the Civil War and discover the story of those heroes who served with valor.
Panel Discussion:
Moderator: Sonya D. Ford, Program Manager, Carnegie Mellon University, Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship
Panelist: Jaquay Edward Carter, Award Winning Historian & USMC Veteran
Panelist: Michael Kraus, Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum Curator
Moderator: Sonya D. Ford, Program Manager, Carnegie Mellon University, Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship
JaQuay Carter Bio:
JaQuay Edward Carter, historian, and USMC Veteran is a Pittsburgh native who has been researching the region’s history for more than a decade, with a primary focus on the Black Experience. Mr. Carter is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where he majored in History Education. JaQuay is the founder of the award-winning Greater Hazelwood Historical Society of Pittsburgh, which is now internationally recognized. His acclaimed work has led to a vast array of professional opportunities in community development, historic preservation, consulting, neighborhood planning, media publication, outreach, and public speaking – including his sixth year as a panelist at the John L. Ford African American Heritage Celebration.
Michael Kraus Bio:
A well-known Civil War historian, Kraus currently works as Curator/Historian for Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum. His accomplishments include several historical consultant credits for major films, writing and narrating the documentary series Civil War Minutes and Civil War Life as well as authoring articles and books regarding the conflict. Michael also is an accomplished sculptor with an impressive resume of historically themed works in bronze.
The John L. Ford, Sr., African American Heritage Celebration is a FREE annual event focusing on the sacrifices & contributions of African Americans during the American conflicts. Developed in 2011 by Mr. Ford, the event has become a valued aspect of the museum’s community outreach. In 2020, the African American Heritage Celebration was renamed in honor of the late John L. Ford, Sr., who served as Soldiers & Sailors Historian from 2007 through 2017.