Black History Month – Washington Spirit

BHM Collection: Spirit x Rose Room Collective

This Black History Month, the Washington Spirit is proud to launch a Black History Month Capsule created in collaboration with Rose Room Collective, an independent supporter group founded by and for non‑white supporters of color across the Washington Spirit and D.C. United communities. Rose Room Collective was formed to ensure that DC’s soccer culture reflects the full diversity of the city, with its name and identity inspired in part by Duke Ellington’s revival of “Rose Room” in 1932, symbolizing an elegant, intentional space for voices of color in the game.

This is a tribute to our storytellers, our artists, our people, Our City. Our Spirit.

Capsule Design

Designed by Rose Room Collective co-founder Aaron Bland, the capsule draws from the heritage and visual language of “Chocolate City” and pays homage to the legendary DC graffiti artist “Cool” Disco Dan, whose iconic tags and murals remain woven into the cityscape across multiple wards. His work is emblematic of DC’s street‑level creativity, raw, grassroots, and a staple point of the beauty and voice of the city.

The cultural experience of Black DC can’t be captured in a single image, sound, or person. It is an experience birthed from the tension between the desire for self-actualization and governance and the federal overreach into everyday life in the city. It is an amalgamation of cultures that pulls from the American South all the way to the Caribbean. It’s a collage of experiences that continues to actively form today. This capsule looks to reflect that understanding of where Black DC has been and where it’s going.

Spirit x Rose Room Monument Tee

GEAR UP

Spirit x Rose Room “Our City” Crew

GEAR UP

BHM Capsule Proceeds

As we honor Black History Month, our intention is to celebrate the cultural legacy that shapes our city and to uplift the institutions that protect its stories. At a time when journalism, and especially Black journalism, is increasingly under threat, this moment offers us a meaningful opportunity to spotlight and directly support organizations that have been pillars in our community.

That is why the Spirit is proud to partner with The Washington Informer: a Black, woman‑owned multimedia news organization that has served the African American community in the DC region for more than 60 years. Founded in 1964 by Dr. Calvin W. Rolark and now led by publisher Denise Rolark Barnes, The Informer has built a trusted legacy through accurate, community‑centered reporting and a circulation that reaches across the District, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, and Northern Virginia.

In recognition of The Washington Informer’s historical impact and continuing commitment to telling the stories that shape our communities, 10% of all BHM capsule proceeds will be donated to the publication as part of our community‑impact initiative. We are to amplify the vital work they do.

Community Partners: Shop Our Spirit

Shop Our Spirit is an initiative where the club partners with local small businesses to highlight their unique offerings in the community. Of our partners that we work with year-round, we wanted to highlight those that are Black-owned:

🛥️ Mahogany Yacht Charter: founded by a group of Black women, provides guests with five-star accommodations and best-in-class service while aboard their charter. Guests get to take in the breathtaking views of DC along the Potomac River.

💐 BLK FLWR MRKT: is a creative agency in service of floral design and content strategy founded in 2018. As a full-service agency, they collaborate with visionaries to build grassroots brands and invent new worlds, offering culturally-forward creative direction, human-centered strategy, multi-media design and production, and rabbit-hole-worthy storytelling.

⚱️ Sio Ceramics: is a pottery studio centered on teaching ceramics, offering beginner-friendly to expert workshops, and private + corporate events that bring people together to create, learn, and connect through the transformative power of clay.

👄 Femme Fatale: is a resource-rich system where womxn and non-binary creatives, entrepreneurs, and organizers gather to support one another in business and in life.

☕️ Others Coffee: A coffee shop and family roasting company that offers craft workshop space in collaboration with local artisans.

Explore the full list of Shop Our Spirit partners and the small business initiative.

BHM History Highlight

Shared weekly on Spirit social channels to celebrate Black History Month.

Carter G. Woodson

2026 marks the 100th year of celebrating African American history! Every Friday in February, we will be honoring the trailblazers who set us on this path and amplifying Black voices who will inspire the future. This week, we start with none other than the “Father of Black History,” Carter G. Woodson.

Carter G. Woodson was an African American historian, author, and journalist who pioneered the study of African American history by founding the Association for the Study of African American Life History (ASALH), and established what we know today as Black History Month.

In 1926, Woodson introduced the concept of “Negro History Week,” choosing February to pay homage to Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. On the 50th anniversary of that first week, the ASALH officially made the shift to a month-long celebration. Making this year the 100th anniversary of Negro History Week and the 50th year of celebrating Black History Month.

Woodson dedicated his life to ensuring that Black heritage was researched, celebrated, and taught in schools. He believed that black people needed to know their history to be proud and empowered. Woodson’s work fundamentally changed how African American history is understood and taught, ensuring the contributions and experiences of black people are recognized. Woodson High School in Fairfax, Virginia, is named in his honor.

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