February is Black History Month – a time to celebrate the accomplishments African Americans have made, as well as a time to reflect on their roles throughout history and the present. There are many things to do, listen to, read, and watch to celebrate Black History Month. We rounded up some of the activities you can do at home or around Ohio for the month.
Things to Do | Things to Read | Things to Watch | Things to Listen To
Things to Do
National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center
Open year-round | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
This museum in Wilberforce, OH, offers free live and online programs through its Historically Speaking Lecture Series. The series allows you to explore African American historical figures and events through the lens of educators, historians and community leaders. They also offer a variety of special exhibits, including a juried art show themed “Black Love” ending Saturday, February 25.
African American Heritage Virtual Festival
Friday, February 24 – Saturday, March 4
The 45th annual African American Heritage Festival will center around the word “umoja,” which is the Swahili word for “unity.” This virtual festival will have talent and poetry showcases, cultural awareness programs and their annual Gospel Fest.
Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) Virtual Festival
Wednesday, February 1 – Tuesday, February 28
The ASALH has put together a series of free virtual events to celebrate Black History Month under the theme of Black Resistance.
Mansfield/Richland County Public Library’s Black History Celebration
Saturday, February 4 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Come join MRCPL for their Black History month celebration. The free, family-friendly event will offer activities, prizes, music, soup and more!
Black History Month 2023: Black Resistance – Ohio University
Thursday, February 2 – Friday, February 24
Ohio University is sponsoring several events to celebrate Black History Month, including lectures, presentations, and networking opportunities. Click the link above for more event details.
Delaware Black History Month Celebration
Saturday, February 18 | 4 – 6:30 p.m.
Come celebrate Black History Month in Delaware, OH with food, a keynote speaker and live music from the Grammy Nominated Central State University Chorus! Visit the link above to reserve a free spot by February 4.
Things to Read
Books:
- 100 Greatest African Americans: A Biographical Encyclopedia by Molefi Kete Asante
- Barracoon: The Story of The Last Black Cargo by Zora Neale Hurston
- Becoming by Michelle Obama
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama
- Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shutterly
- The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
- Tigerland: 1968-1969: A City Divided, a Nation Torn Apart, and a Magical Season of Healing by Wil Haygood
- Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington
- The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B Du Bois
- Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
- How We Fight for Our Lives by Saeed Jones
- Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
- Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
- You Can’t Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain by Phoebe Robinson
- Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- Speak by Tunde Oyeneyin
For more books, check out Goodreads’ book list for Black History Month. You can also check out the Columbus Metropolitan Library for books, movies and more to rent for free with your library card!
Poems:
- “I, Too” by Langston Hughes
- “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou
- “Praise Song for the Day” by Elizabeth Alexander
- “Canary” by Ria Dove
- “History As Process” by Amiri Baraka
For more poetry, check out the Poetry Foundations’ Black History Month list.
Things to Watch
Films:
- “4 Little Girls” (1997)
- “13th” (2016)
- “A Raisin in the Sun” (1961)
- “Birth of A Nation” (2016)
- “Crooklyn” (1994)
- “Fences” (2016)
- “Fruitvale Station” (2013)
- “Get on the Bus” (1996)
- “Glory” (1989)
- “Hidden Figures” (2016)
- “Malcolm X” (1992)
- “Marshall” (2016)
- “Race” (2016)
- “Selma” (2014)
- “Southside With You” (2016)
- “The Butler” (2013)
- “The Color Purple” (1985)
- “The Hate You Give” (2018)
- “When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts” (2006)
- “Is That Black Enough for You?!?” (2022)
Ted Talks:
- “The path to ending systemic racism in the U.S.”
- “The difference between being “not racist” and antiracist”
- “A celebration of natural hair”
- “Color blind or color brave?”
- “How art gives shape to cultural change”
- “We need to talk about an injustice”
For more Ted Talks, check out Talks to celebrate Black History Month.
Things to Listen To
Podcasts:
- Code Switch
- Historically Black
- In Black America
- Smithsonian Channel Presents Black History Month
- Stuff You Missed in History Class
- The Black History Buff Podcast
- Yo, Is This Racist?
- Identity Politics
- 1619
- Revisionist History Podcast
Playlists:
- Black History Salute Spotify (explicit)
- Black History Month Apple Music (explicit)
- Black History Month TED Radio Hour
Whatever you do to celebrate Black History Month, we hope this list helps you find some new ideas of things you and your family can do!
Looking for more things to do around Ohio? Check out all that Ohio has to offer here!
