Virginia Beach Will Rename Road to Blackstreet Boulevard
The city will honor the R&B group with a street dedication ceremony on September 19, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in R&B
Virginia Beach city officials plan to rename Beasley Drive as Blackstreet Boulevard on September 19, 2026. Members of the R&B group Blackstreet are expected to attend the dedication event.
Why it matters
The honorary renaming celebrates the group's local origins and contributions to the music industry. The initiative gained momentum through support from the City Council representative for District 4.
The ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. in District 4 near Virginia Beach Boulevard. This honorary designation marks a transition for Beasley Drive.
The players
Blackstreet
Blackstreet is an R&B group that originated in Virginia Beach and achieved commercial success in the 1990s.
Mark Middleton
Mark Middleton is a member of the R&B group Blackstreet who is scheduled to attend the street renaming ceremony.
Chauncey Black
Chauncey Black is a member of the R&B group Blackstreet who is scheduled to attend the street renaming ceremony.
The details
The city council approved the change to honor the group, which began their music career in the immediate vicinity of Beasley Drive. Members Mark Middleton and Chauncey Black are slated to participate in the upcoming ceremony.
Timeline
The street renaming dedication event is scheduled for 10 a.m. on September 19, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This ceremony follows a pattern set by the 2022 renaming of a portion of Richmond street to Missy Elliott Boulevard by honoring musical artists with honorary street titles. These municipal gestures reflect a broader cultural trend of cities formally institutionalizing the legacies of local music icons.
Residents and fans can observe the street renaming ceremony on September 19 at 10 a.m. Attendees should prepare for potential traffic adjustments near Virginia Beach Boulevard during the morning event.
The takeaway
Honoring performers with honorary street titles preserves the cultural heritage of local neighborhoods. Residents are encouraged to visit local historical landmarks to learn more about the musical roots of the community.
Further reading
Learn more about local artists in the Virginia Beach R&B section.
