Black History Month Events
Celebrate Ohio’s rich African American history and culture.
February 4
Black History & Culture Walk – Troy
Learn more about Black history during Troy Main Street’s First Friday.
February 5
Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution – Dayton
Celebrate Black History month by discovering African American heroes of the Revolutionary War during this special movie presentation narrated by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
February 6
Columbus Black History Book Launch – Columbus
Join the book launch party for Rita Fuller-Yates’s newest book, Columbus Black History: Images from Our Past, Vol. 1. The book covers 200 years of Black history in Columbus, telling stories of the recent and distant past through images.
The History of the Union Baptist Cemetery: Leaders, Legends, & Legacy – Cincinnati
Established in 1865, Union Baptist Cemetery is one of the most important African American cemeteries in this region. It is the resting place of Underground Railroad leaders, artists, inventors, athletes, musicians, Civil Rights leaders, and at least 150 veterans of the Civil War. We will hear stories of this place, and of some of the people buried here.
February 10
Black Wall Street Athens County – Virtual
Celebrate Black History month by learning about some of the Athens figures and iconic structures that are included in the documentary, “Black Wall Street Athens County,” produced by Dr. Trevellya Ford-Ahmed, the Mount Zion Baptist Church Society, and Bent Street Films.
Hidden Figures Revealed: Dynamic History of Black Mathematicians from The Ohio State University – Virtual
Did the popularity of the 2016 film, Hidden Figures make you wonder about other Black Mathematicians in your community? Learn more about the history of Black math students and professionals during Nearly 200 mathematicians that identify as Black have earned degrees from the Department of Mathematics at OSU, yet their stories and legacies remain untold.
February 12
Black History Month Celebration – Virtual
Organized by soprano, educator, and community organizer Margaret Barron and visual artist and educator Yusuf Lateef, this year’s annual Black History Month Celebration will be presented in a special online program. This year’s program features community leader Dr. Donald L. Perryman, artist Alice Grace in conversation with the TMA’s Associate Curator of American Art Lauren Applebaum, poet Ophelia Thompson with the Toledo School for the Arts creative writing team, and the photography of James Dickerson.
Shedding the Shame: How Social Issues Disproportionately Impact the Health and Wellness of African Americans – Virtual
As the American political climate has shifted in the last few years, social issues such as racism, poverty and violence have impacted the livelihood and future of the Black family, most notably youth.
In an effort to highlight and eradicate these systemic barriers, we will host an intergenerational discussion in partnership with The Cincinnati (OH) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated featuring medical experts and youth in the community on how to extend life expectancy against the backdrop of social issues to prevent illnesses such as chronic kidney failure, diabetes and high blood pressure.
February 15
From the Heart, So Much to Discover: The Heritage of Ohio’s Black Voices – Columbus & Virtual
Experience the heritage of promise, strength, humor, and hope in the lives and words of a few of Ohio’s Black voices, shared by one of the state’s Affrilachian storytellers and authors, Lyn Ford.
February 17
Grant: The Civil Rights General & President – Cincinnati
Historian Christy S. Coleman examines Ulysses S. Grant’s role in liberating American’s enslaved people, his battle to abate the terror of the Ku Klux Klan and the influence of his upbringing in the abolitionist hotbed of Brown County, Ohio.
February 19
Exploring Black Stories – Hale Farm
Commemorate the histories and lives of Black residents and figures who have impacted the Northeast Ohio community, specifically through the 19th century. This event will feature living history programs as well as presentations amplifying Black stories. Guests will have opportunities to interact with community partners and explore their own individual and family stories.
The Tea Room – Columbus
The Tea Room is a contemporary version of the African American Tea Ceremony which began in the mid 19th century. Annually held on February 15, enslaved people were given the left over teas, food and china from Valentine’s Day celebrations. This tradition evolved into gatherings held at churches and later black owned tea houses. Designed to create an environment of fellowship and empowerment, the Tea Room will be a forum for participants to network and learn about the achievements of African Americans in Ohio.
February 21
A Critical Conversation About the History of Ownership in the Black Hair Care Industry – Virtual
The Black hair care industry has been in existence since the 1900s with the likes of Annie Turnbo Malone, Madam C. J. Walker, and Garrett Morgan. These entrepreneurs set the standard for successful Black owned hair care businesses. However, for more than 100 years that success has been continually threatened by non-Blacks profiting off of products they created catering to the Black community. Join Ladosha Wright, Goldie Jenkins, and Dr. Tameka Ellington discuss this phenomenon along with the life of Christina Jenkins, inventor of the hair weave and a hair care industry business woman in the 1950s.
February 22
Of Memory and History: An Affrilachian Storyteller Speaks – Columbus & Virtual
Humor and heart are rooted in our families’ storytelling traditions. Culture, stories and folktales are shared by one of Ohio’s Affrilachian storytellers and authors, Lyn Ford.
Food for Freedom – Virtual
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown a widespread disparity of access to not only quality healthcare, but to quality food that negatively impacts outcomes for Black communities. The root of these issues run deep, and back centuries beginning with slavery and, later, a lack of opportunities based on racial discrimination. This meaningful discussion with change agents seeks to incite a greater vision of social and economic justice; improved nutrition and health; and community activism while addressing the disproportionate burden of social barriers to healthy foods. Panelists include:
- Mona Jenkins, Founder of Queen Mother’s Market Cooperative
- amaha sellassie, Founder of Gem City Market
- Michaela Oldfield, Director of Greater Cincinnati Regional Food Policy Council
We will also explore the culinary history and culture of foodways within the Black experience with Andre L. Taylor, an oral historian at the College of William & Mary. A graduate of North Carolina A&T State University (BA in history) and NC State University (MA in public history), Andre has focused his research on foodways from the African diaspora and how recipes have been shared throughout families to preserve their cultural heritage. He also focuses on the origins of foods used in recipes from the African American community. A native of Philadelphia, Andre has conducted research in South Carolina examining how climate change and sea level rise impacts coastal communities of color who struggle to retain land and cultural heritage.
February 23
Constellations & Storytelling in American American History – Warrensville Heights
Join the Cuyahoga County Library for storytelling, hands-on activities and music inspired by Jeanette Winter’s picture book, Follow the Drinking Gourd.
February 26
Vanishing Communities: Preserving Cultural Heritage Through Photography – Columbus
Hear local photographers Shellee Fisher, T. Graves, and James Reid discuss the changing dynamics of neighborhoods due to urban renewal. They’ll talk about how photography is one method for preserving the essential stories of Black communities.
Happening Later This Year
Researching Black Women in Aviation: Barriers & Breakthroughs – Cleveland
“Dinner with a Slice of History” returns w/ historian Monica Smith who shares her mission to document African American women in aviation.
Have an event to share? Contact us at info@heritageohio.org with the details and link!