The June German Ball

Born in 1938 on Baldwin’s Block , the heart of Martinsville’s Black business district, the June German Ball was one of the most celebrated African-American gala events in the South. Founded by the Baldwin Brothers, it drew hundreds of attendees from Burlington, Raleigh, Durham, and cities across Virginia.

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The historic event featured performers such as Otis Redding and Jimmie Lunceford & His Dance Orchestra, one of the premier jazz big bands of the era. For nearly 30 years, the Ball was the homecoming event of the year, a celebration of community, culture, and Black excellence.

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FAHI is proud to bring it back — honoring the tradition, the music, and the people who made Baldwin’s Block a beacon.