Black History Month in February offers everyone the chance to learn about, honor and celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans locally and beyond.
Here are some events you should know about.
(Did we miss anything? Put your events in the comments. You can also email us. Put “Black History Month” in the subject line.)
Milwaukee Film’s Sixth Annual Black History Month Celebration: All month
Milwaukee Film is celebrating Black History Month by highlighting films and conversations curated by the Black Lens program throughout February. More information here
The History of Black Milwaukee presented by John Gurda: Feb. 13 and March 2
Milwaukee writer and historian John Gurda will give presentations on the history of Black people in Milwaukee from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at the Milwaukee Public Library’s Center Street Branch, 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave.
He will also give the presentation from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at the Milwaukee Public Library’s Villard Square Branch, 5190 N. 35th St., and from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 2 at the Milwaukee Public Library’s Washington Park Branch, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd. More information here.
Jonathan Eig in Conversation With Cree Myles: Friday, Feb. 16
Author Jonathan Eig will discuss his new book, “King: A Life,” and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s lasting legacy on Milwaukee’s Black community with book influencer Cree Myles from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16 at the Milwaukee Public Library Centennial Hall, 733 N. Eighth St. More information here.
Black Love x Design: “Boomerang” Reconsidered: Friday, Feb. 16
Join Culture x Design’s Geraud Blanks at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16 as he leads a panel discussion on the 1992 romantic comedy, “Boomerang,” starring Eddie Murphy, at Radio Milwaukee, 220 E. Pittsburgh Ave. The panel will explore the movie’s depictions of Black relationships and affluence. You can also catch “Boomerang” on Thursday, Feb. 8 at the Oriental Theatre. More information here.
The Sherman Phoenix Blackout Vendor Market: Saturday, Feb. 17
Shop with Black makers and creatives at the Sherman Phoenix Blackout Vendor Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17 at the Sherman Phoenix Marketplace, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave. More information here.
Celebrating Black Artists: Saturday, Feb. 17
Bring your kids to learn about the lives of prominent Black artists and create their own art from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17 at the Children’s Herzfeld Activity Center at Milwaukee Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave. More information here.
Free Day + Celebration: Vel Phillips’s 100th Birthday: Sunday, Feb. 18
Celebrate the legacy of Milwaukee icon Vel Phillips on what would have been her 100th birthday with free admission to the Milwaukee Art Museum from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 18. This is the first event of the Free Day + Celebration series at the museum, located at 700 N. Art Museum Drive. It will feature a community engagement fair, tours, sound healing and more. More information here.
Fifth Annual African American Environmental Pioneer Awards: Monday, Feb. 19
Join Nearby Nature Milwaukee and partners for a program honoring Black pioneers and rising stars working to better the environment in Milwaukee at 6:30 p.m. at The Ivy House, 906 S. Barclay St. Networking begins at 5 p.m. Ko-Thi Dance Company and drummer Ojumire Charleston of Drums up Guns Down 414 will perform. Register here. More information here.
We Rise: Milwaukee Black Entrepreneurs in Action: Tuesday, Feb. 20
The Milwaukee Public Library and MKE Black will host a panel discussion and Q&A with local Black entrepreneurs at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20 at the Milwaukee Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave. Get a free headshot from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. More information here.
Drop-In Tour: Art by Artists of the African Diaspora: Saturdays through Feb. 24
From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays throughout February, learn about African American and Haitian artists with works featured in the Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Drive, during a museum docent tour. The experience is included with admission and is free for members. More information here.
ASK: Saturday, Feb. 24
Join the ASK (Access, Support, Knowledge) Workshop program for conversations around mental health and access in the African American community from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Milwaukee Public Library’s Good Hope Branch, 7715 W. Good Hope Road. More information here.
Groove Theory: The Lauryn Hill Experience: Saturday, Feb. 24
At 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, local musicians, curated by Brew City Soul Orchestra, will take the stage at The Cooperage, 822 S. Water St., to perform Lauryn Hill’s music. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets start at $30. Get tickets here.
March On, Milwaukee – State Historical Markers Series Celebration and Preview: Saturday, Feb. 24
March On, Milwaukee and partners will introduce nine new state historical markers commemorating Milwaukee’s 1967-68 Fair Housing Movement at an open house from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24. A short program with remarks begins at 2 p.m. at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society Museum, 2620 W. Center St. The event is free, but advanced registration is requested by Friday, Feb. 16. More information here.
Discovery Lunches: Still, We Rise Wisconsin! Wednesday, Feb. 28
From 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28, local author Bonnie J. Edwards will present “Part 1 – Origins: The Beginning of a New World and the Making of the Native African American Spirit” at the Milwaukee Public Library’s Villard Square Branch, 5190 N. 35th St. This is the first part of a three-part interactive series focusing on the native African American experience in the United States and Wisconsin. More information here
Creativity x Design: Black in Milwaukee’s Creative Economy: Thursday, Feb. 29
Join Culture x Design for a panel and open discussion on the economic prospects for local Black artists and cultural entrepreneurs at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28 at Marn Art + Culture Hub, 191 N. Broadway, Suite 102. Networking begins at 5 p.m. More information here.
Tour the Wisconsin Black Historical Society Museum: throughout February and beyond
The Wisconsin Black Historical Society, 2620 W. Center St., offers scheduled tours of its museum throughout Black History Month and beyond.
Visit America’s Black Holocaust Museum: Throughout February and beyond
America’s Black Holocaust Museum at 401 W. North Ave. is a resource for Black history year-round and will be open throughout Black History Month. You can tour the museum in person, or visit the museum’s virtual exhibit here.
Dynamic Range: Photographs by Bill Tennessen: throughout February and beyond
Self-taught photographer Bill Tennessen began contributing to the Milwaukee Community Journal, Wisconsin’s largest African American newspaper, in 1981 and has documented many events and moments of Milwaukee life. Explore an exhibition of his photos at Marquette University’s Haggerty Museum of Art, 1234 W. Tory Hill St. Admission is free and the exhibition will run until May 12. More information here.
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