Events to entertain, enlighten, and inspire you for Black History Month
February is Black History Month. This is the time when America recognizes Black history and the contributions made to society by Black Americans. Black History Month was founded by Carter G. Woodson and his organization, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Woodson led the ASALH to recognize and publicize the work and contributions of Black Americans in the world.
In the present day, the ASALH continues this work by recognizing Black Americans. Each year, the ASALH decides on a theme to honor Black History Month. The theme for 2021 is: “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity”. The ASALH credits this year's theme as an observance and celebration of the Black family, it's experience, existence, and impact in the world.
If you are looking to celebrate Black History Month, then read the list below for virtual events throughout the month!
Author's Note: All of the events listed below are free unless stated otherwise.
UIC Black History Showcase: Our Cultural Vision, Values, & Voice
Date: February 17, 2021 at 6:30pm CST
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) students will perform poetry, drama, and more to explore a variety of issues confronting Black Americans and other communities of the Diaspora.
Teen African American History Open Mic hosted by Chicago Public Library
Date: February 20, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. CST
Teens between the ages of 14 - 19 are welcomed by the Chicago Public Library to rap, recite their own poems, spoken word or story at the Teen African American History Open Mic.
Black History Month Performance held by the South Chicago Dance Theatre
Date: February 20, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. CST
Price: Tickets for this event starts at $10.00
The South Chicago Dance Theatre's annual Black History Month Performance will honor historical moments of the past and celebrate the history of Black innovation in jazz music and dance.
Virtual Black History Month Concert held by the Chicago Children’s Choir
Date: February 25, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. CST
The Chicago Children’s Choir will honor Black History Month by recognizing African sounds and spirit. “CCC’s 2021 Black History Month concert explores how the power of Black music has been the cultural key in both preserving African traditions in America and in helping millions persevere in the face of racial injustice.”
Joyful Fridays: Hats and Headwear inspired by Mae Reeves
Date: February 05, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. EST
In this event, children between the ages of 4 - 8 years old are welcome to make hats inspired by Mae Reeves’ hats from the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s collection. Mae Reeves was a pioneering milliner who became famous for her custom made hats. Children participating will also talk about how people express themselves through hairstyles and headwear.
Trivia Night about African American History hosted by the Chicago Public Library
Date: February 10, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. CST
A night of trivia for the entire family. “Compete with others using online quizzes while learning African American history on a variety of subjects.”
African Americans in STEM Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon
Date: February 21, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. EST
Join this event to create and edit Wikipedia pages for African American STEM professionals. Participants will highlight the impact of the STEM professionals in their communities, the nation, and the world.
African American Heritage Month Bingo hosted by the Chicago Public Library
Date: February 24, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. CST
Join the Chicago Public Library for their digital bingo based on African American Heritage. The Chicago Public Library is offering prizes for bingo winners as well.
Cooking Black Recipes hosted by Mariano’s
Date: February 09, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. CST
Each week of February Mariano’s will be hosting a virtual cooking class with a different, prominent Black Chef. On February 09, 2021, Chicago Chef Brian Jupiter will be cooking Crawfish Hushpuppies. All of the ingredients and recipe directions are listed here. You can go here to see a list of the other virtual events hosted by Mariano’s. Also, you can follow Mariano’s here to join their other Black History Month events.
#TakeTimeThursday: Finding the Harriet in You
Date: February 11, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. EST
This event is to discuss and honor Harriet Tubman. Participants will remember the work of Harriet Tubman and learn life lessons that can be applied to their own lives.
Radical Self-care in an Era of Activism: A Virtual Salon
Date: February 11, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. CST
This event is centered on self care inspired by the Harlem Renaissance. For the first half of the event, host Chef Jena Harris will use accessible ingredients in a live demonstration and show participants how to make and enjoy sustaining food and drink using recipes shared in advance. Then, host Professor Pysche Williams-Forson will discuss how the contributions of authors, artists, and activists to American art and politics have built movements which center radical self love.
Harlem Renaissance & the Art of Collage
Date: February 27, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. CST
Participants of this event will explore the Harlem Renaissance and the collage work of Romare Bearden. Romare Bearden was a versatile artist during the Harlem Renaissance, who was most notably known for his work with collages. The host, artist Kenneth Lewis Jr., will guide virtual participants on how to use collaging as an art form.
From the Continent to the Americas: Foodways, Culture and Traditions hosted by the ASALH
Date: February 06, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. CST
This panel will center on authors, chef, and historians and their work. The panelists will share their work and discuss the important role that food has played in Black family life throughout the diaspora. Panelists include: Gina Paige, CEO and Founder of African Ancestry; Carla Hall, author and celebrity chef; Stephanie Evans, scholar and author, Georgia State University; Daphne Maxwell Reid, actor (Fresh Prince of Bel Air) and author of “Grace, Soul and Mother Wit”; and Jerome Grant, executive chef of the historic National Museum of African American History.
Generations: Music and the Black Family
Date: February 06, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. CST
This panel discussion will focus on how music has shaped generations and helped to unify and/or divide the Black American family.
African American Genealogy: Representation, Identity and Diversity
Date: February 06, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. CST
Price: This event is free to the public but there is a suggested $10.00 donation.
This event is focused on sparking African Americans into tracing their family roots. During this event, participants will learn about the joys and challenges of tracing their genealogy.
Three Contemporary Black Women Inventors
Date: February 10, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. CST
This panel will spotlight three contemporary Black women inventors: Aprille Ericsson, Ayanna Howard, and Arlyne Simon. Dr. Aprille Ericsson was the first woman (and the first African American woman) to receive a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Howard University and the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in engineering as a civil servant at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Dr. Ayanna Howard is the founder and Chief Technology Officer of Zyrobotics, a company that uses machine learning and robots to make educational toys for kids, with a particular emphasis on helping those with special needs. Dr. Arlyne Simon is a biomedical engineer at Intel’s Health and Life Science business unit and the author of the Abby Invents picture book series. In this event, the panelists’ will share their firsthand accounts of their amazing career paths and game-changing inventions.
Diving With A Purpose: Recovering And Reexamining Our Roots hosted by the ASALH
Date: February 24, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. CST
This panel discussion will feature modern day divers. These divers seek to preserve the heritage of Black people through discovering and investigating wreckages of slave ships and salvaging artifacts.