The Milwaukee Art Museum is celebrating Black History Month with Kohl’s Haitian Gallery, which includes weekly performances by local artists. (Photo provided by the Milwaukee Art Museum)
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include additional events.
Celebrate Black History Month with these locally curated events. With the coronavirus pandemic is still in full effect, organizations and entities have turned to virtual platforms to host their events, which feature local performers, historians and more.
Below is a list of events happening throughout the month of February in honor of this significant month.
Did we miss a Black History Month event? Post it in the comments below or send an email to info@milwaukeenns.org with the subject line “Black History Month 2021.”
We Rise: MKE’s celebration of Black History Month: Monday, Feb. 22
Milwaukee Repertory Theater is hosting “We Rise: MKE’s Celebration of Black History Month.” The events will take place on Facebook Live and YouTube Live at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 22. Click here for the schedule of events.
Black Lens MKE: Four weeks of film, culture and conversation: All month
Milwaukee Film and Black Lens MKE are celebrating Black History Month with four weeks of film, culture and conversation. The programming includes 30 films by Black filmmakers and various events. All-access passes are on sale now and cost $24.99 for non-members and $19.99 for members.
Kohl’s Haitian Gallery and virtual performances: Saturday, Feb. 27
The Milwaukee Art Museum is celebrating the art and culture of Haiti with Kohl’s Haitian Gallery as part of Black History Month. The museum is temporarily closed, so it will be sharing performances on its website at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27. The performances will feature Jahmés Finlayson and Zonia Perry, Ko-Thi Dance Company, Lakou Mizik and Jam Ak Jam. Additionally, families can find art activities inspired by Black artists at the Kohl’s Art Studio.
Black History Month at the Milwaukee Public Library: All month
The Milwaukee Public Library is celebrating Black History Month with several virtual events. Black History Month Jeopardy will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 15. “The History Buff Book Club: Stamped from the Beginning” will take place from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 25.
Coming together with the African American community: Advancing health equity: Thursday, Feb. 18
The Alzheimer’s Association is hosting a webinar “Coming Together with the African American Community: Advancing Health Equity through Alzheimer’s Resources, Caregiver Support and Research.” The discussion will feature keynote speaker Dr. Carl Hill, the Alzheimer’s Association acting chief diversity and inclusions officer. It will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18. Click here to register.
Support Black-owned food trucks: Saturday, Feb. 20
MKE Black is encouraging people to support Black-owned food trucks. Vendors will be located at the Beerline Trail Plaza, 3356 N. Holton St., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20. Karol’s Kitchen, Africa’s Finest Cuisine and Bebe’s Food will be in attendance.
Black History Month Showcase: Saturday, Feb. 27
Milwaukeeans are invited to turn into Black History Month Showcase on Facebook Live from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27. The event features local poet, Kavon Cortez James, and will be filmed by Cristina Ossers. The showcase will include performances of “Paris of the Midwest,” “Fried Boloney-N-Koolaid,” “A Love Letter to Milwaukee” and several more.
City of Milwaukee: “28 Days of Black History”: All month
In honor of Black History Month, the City of Milwaukee is doing “28 Days of Black History.” This year’s theme is ‘a nod to the past.’ Ald. Milele Coggs and Ald. Chantia Lewis are serving as co-coordinators. Each day, the individuals and institutions who have helped make Black history are being featured on the city’s website and channel (channel 25 on Spectrum Cable and channel 99 on AT&T U-verse).
Essay Contest Suggestion:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a broad thinker and widely read. You can get a flavor of this from the books that are engraved in the pedestal of his statue on N. Doctor M.L.K. Jr Drive between Walnut and Vine Streets.
On this note, compare and contrast the civil rights movement of African Americans in the United States with the fight for equality of another group in another context. This might include: commoners in England starting from the Middle Ages, Africans in South Africa following English colonialism in the 1800’s, serfs in Russia, Maori in New Zealand, etc….