51 Ways to Celebrate Black History Month Across America

Black History Month begins on February 1. At Oldways, we like to celebrate with a focus on food and health-cooking African Heritage recipes, dining in restaurants that serve the healthy cuisine of the African Diaspora, and attending A Taste of African Heritage cooking and nutrition classes – but there are so many musical, artistic, academic, and cultural events all month long. No matter where you live in the U.S., you can celebrate Black History Month. Here’s our guide to 51 Black History Month events across all fifty states and Washington, D.C. Click on your state to find our suggestion for participating in Black History Month this year, wherever you live.

Alabama

Check out the Black Heritage Festival at Anniston Museum in Anniston, Alabama. Hear students recite poetry and prose by African-American authors, sample foods, and listen to live music at this free event.

Alaska

Start the Black History Month celebrations early on January 25 with the Derreck Kayongo public lecture in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the University of Alaska Anchorage. 

Arizona

Enjoy the work of African-American artists on January 29 at Arizona State University West Campus in Glendale, presented by the Black Student Union.

Arkansas

Enjoy culture and wellness at the Museum of African American History with Trap Yoga on February 9. Register in advance, and bring your own yoga mat!

California

The African Dance Showcase in Los Angeles will take place on February 23. Watch 13 finalists compete at the California African American Museum.

Colorado

On February 9, the History Colorado Center will present a Black History Month-themed Hands-On History Family Fun Day for visitors of all ages.

Connecticut

On Wednesday, February 13, enjoy special Black History Month displays at Southern Connecticut State University’s Hilton C. Buley Library.

Delaware

Listen to gospel and spiritual music in the African-American tradition at the Rehoboth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth during the Concert in Celebration of Black History Month on February 24. 

Florida

Join in performances, food, craft vendors and more at the Black History Festival in Lakeland on February 16.

Georgia

Celebrate African American History at the Black History Month Parade in Atlanta on February 23. Or, take a class in African Heritage cooking at Summerour Middle School in Norcross. 

Hawaii

Enjoy music and dance from Youssoupha Sidibe at the Black History Month Hawaii Tour at Temple of Peace Sanctuary in Maui. 

Idaho

Spend a day this month at the Idaho Black History Museum learning the contributions of African American’s to the state’s cultural heritage.

Illinois

 The DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago will host Black History Month Live throughout the month of February, with events including a dramatic retelling of the life of Harriet Tubman, a performance on the art of Langston Hughes, and a performance on the evolution of African American music.

Indiana

Celebrate African American heritage all month long with Art & Soul, a series of free performances at the Indianapolis ArtsGarden. Spanning music, storytelling, art, and dance, all arts events start at 12:15 pm and are free and open to the public.

Iowa

Head to Artisan Gallery 218 in West Des Moines for the exhibit and reception of “The Life and Times of George Washington Carver” on February 15.

Kansas

Head to the Kansas African American Museum in Wichita, which has a vision “to make the Kansas African American experience resonant with every Kansan.”

Kentucky

The University of Kentucky in Louisville will host the Black History Month Lecture on February 19 from 6-8pm.

Louisiana

On Saturday, February 2, head to the nation’s largest African American History Parade in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Maine

Enjoy a dinner out this month at Asmara Ethiopian restaurant in Portland.

Maryland

Bring the whole family to the Publick Playhouse in Cheverly on February 23 for Madre Africa. Through dance, instruments, and music, learn about the African contributions to Latin American art forms such as tango and salsa.

Massachusetts

The Freedom Trail Foundation offers the African-American Patriots tour of Boston, illuminating the contributions of African American Bostonians during the American Revolution. Or, learn to cook your favorite African Heritage dishes in classes at the Roxbury YMCA and Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center

Michigan

All month long, the Detroit Institute of Arts will host special Black History Month programming, including film screenings, panel discussions, and special art exhibits.

Minnesota

Learn about “Race & Rights in Antebellum America” on February 2 at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul.

Mississippi

Join in the Black History Month Celebration on February 28 at New Hope Baptist Church in Jackson.

Missouri

The St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus will present “Lift Every Voice: Black History Month Celebration” concert on February 22 at Powell Hall in St. Louis.

Montana

If you’re in Great Falls, enjoy a meal this month at Jah T’aime Food, which serves Jamaican and Caribbean food. 

Nebraska

The University of Nebraska Omaha will host a Gospel Fest on February 5, to educate, celebrate, and provide cultural enrichment to the community.

Nevada

Head to Springs Preserve for the Black History Month Festival on February 16. Enjoy music, food, dance, children’s activities, and much more!

New Hampshire

Head to the Portsmouth Public Library for a “tea talk” on Black Women Magic in New Hampshire. Learn about the Black women in New Hampshire who led the way as advocates, abolitionists, civil rights activists, and more.

New Jersey

At Above Art Studios in New Brunswick, New Jersey, attend the Black History Month Paint and Sip art class on February 7.

New Mexico

Watch the Ailey II dance company perform at the Popejoy Hall in Albuquerque. 

New York

Take a Civil Rights Multimedia Walking Tour with Harlem Heritage Tours.

North Carolina

Don’t miss the annual African American History Awareness Competition (also known as Black History Quiz Bowl) at Heritage Middle School in Wake Forest, North Carolina on February 23.

North Dakota

At the University of North Dakota, celebrate one of the largest multicultural events in the region at Feast of Nations on February 23. Cultural displays and food will celebrate diversity and community.

Ohio

Enjoy a dinner out in Columbus at Darbo Restaurant, which serves Somali and African food.

Oklahoma

At the Ralph Ellison Library in Oklahoma City, join in the Black History Month film series for a screening and discussion of the movie “The Hate U Give” on February 25.

Oregon

All month long, check out the schedule of events at the Black History Festival NW in Portland. The programming includes a youth-curated black history museum, the State of Black Love Conference and After Party, and more.

Pennsylvania

Catch the film “Training Day” as part of the Parkway Central Library’s Black History Month at the Oscars series in Philadelphia.

Rhode Island

Dr. Cornel West will be the Black History Month Speaker at Rhode Island College in Providence on February 28.

South Carolina

Head to the Central Clemson Public Library for “Researching African American Ancestry” on February 23. Learn about African American ancestry and tracing your family lineage.

South Dakota

Plan a visit to the South Dakota African American History Museum, located at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls, and learn all about the contributions African American South Dakotans have made to the state’s history.  

Tennessee

At the Nashville ballet, see the world premiere of “Lucy Negro Redux,” a ballet that tells the story of William Shakespeare’s “Dark Lady,” the subject of many of his sonnets.

Texas

Check out the Black History Month Artist Exhibition at the Herman Schieffer House in Austin on February 7.

Utah

Listen to a guest panel discuss issues affecting Black professionals at the State of the Culture talk on February 8 at Impact Hub Salt Lake.

Vermont

Visit the Rokeby Museum this month, located at the start of the Vermont African American Heritage Trail. Tour the home of, and check out exhibits related to, Quaker abolitionists Rowland and Rachel Robinson.

Virginia

On February 9, attend a viewing of “Rise Up: the Nat Turner Story” at Stratford Hall in Chesapeake Bay.

Washington

Catch a performance of “Frederick Douglass Now” February 8-10 at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute in Seattle.

Washington, D.C.

Join over 600 young professionals on Friday, February 1 for the cultural mixer Afropolitan-The Black Heritage Experience. Or, hear from Bravo Top Chef contestant Eric Adjepong on Feb. 13 as he discusses Top Chef and his experiences influencing African food culture globally. 

West Virginia

Celebrate the start of Black History Month on January 31 at the Marshall University Memorial Student Center.

Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Black Historical Society will host “History Begins with You: Genealogy Conference” on February 2 at the Black Historical Society Museum in Milwaukee.

Wyoming

Don’t miss the African American Black Film Exposition at Laramie Community College on February 15.