Amazing Free Events to Check Out in Houston, New York, Chicago, and Atlanta During Black History Month

Feb 28, 2017 Tara Geigel

February is a month filled with cultural significance as major cities across the United States celebrate Black History Month. This month highlights the many contributions of African Americans that helped to shape our nation. Literature, music, art, politics are some of the many fields that Black History month celebrates.

There are so many events that spotlight these contributions, which help to bring the community together. Attached is a list of events from Houston, New York, Chicago, and Atlanta. This is a great opportunity to meet new people, learn something new, and have a great time!

Free Black History Month Events in Houston

1. Black Present Month “A Interactive Pop-Up Museum” - This event is located at the Houston Museum-African American Culture. This museum is an amazing opportunity to honor the contributions by African Americans in art, journalism, technology, entrepreneurship, and culinary arts.

2. Leading Ladies in STEM Panel Discussion at the African American Library at The Gregory School - Join this empowering discussion on how to prepare for a successful career! A group of strong women will help to shape the future of young women’s lives in this discussion.

3. HMAAC Spring Lecture Series: Luvvie Ajayi at the Houston Museum-African American Culture - If you enjoy an author’s outlook on a bevy of topics from pop culture to race to technology, come meet Luvvie Ajayi at her first book signing! Her debut book, I’M JUDGING YOU: The Do-Better Manual, made the New York Times best-seller’s list and you may even have a chance to have your book signed!

4. HMAAC Film Series: Cronies at the Houston Museum-African American Culture - Are you a film buff? Well, check out this amazing award-winning film produced by Spike Lee called Cronies.

5. HMAAC Film Series: Chisholm ’72: Unbossed and Unbought at the Houston Museum-African American Culture - Learn more about the inspiring Brooklyn Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm in this historical documentary.

6. YAP Wine Tasting at Ogun Art + Wine - How could you go wrong with wine and art? Indulge in selections of wine from Southern Africa while viewing an exquisite art collection.

7. A Night of Living Arts at the Houston Museum of African American Culture - This event is a fundraiser benefitting Parks Youth Ranch, which provides services for homeless youth in Houston. If you were looking to give back, this would be the perfect opportunity to do so!

8. African Leadership Bridge 4th Annual Golf Tournament at the Terevista Golf Club - For our fellow golfers, join this tournament that will help fund education for Africa’s future leaders!

Free Black History Month Events in New York

1. Moving Forward: A Discussion of the 2016 Election and What’s Next at the Miller Theatre in Columbia University - Come and join this diverse panel discussion on race and rights in a moment of crisis. You’ll hear from award winning writers and journalists with extensive knowledge in politics.

2. Heat in the Winter at the Confetti’s Event Center in Maryland - If you love to dance the night away to the sounds of Reggae, Soca, R&B, and Hip Hop, then this is the place for you! Come spend your Saturday having the time of your life!

3. Women Picturing Revolution: Focus on Africa and the African-Diaspora at Columbia University - This educational seminar focuses on photographs documenting the conditions women in Africa experienced. Two guest artists will showcase their work and help you to better understand the African diaspora.

4. Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce Event at PA Nash Restaurant & Lounge - Are you a small business owner looking for business advice? This seminar will give you the tools you need to succeed and give you an overview of the 11-session Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program.

5. The 19th AAWIC Film Festival All Access Pass - A four-day event filled with film screenings, keynote panels, special programs, and much more will showcase established women of color filmmakers.

6. African Night with Mthakathi at Club Bonafide - Mthakathi, a Safro-Rock musician, draws his inspiration from South African culture. His music is unlike anything you’ve ever heard and if you’re open to new music, check him out at Club Bonafide!

7. Changing Face of Harlem at Rutgers University in the Newark Dana Room - CHANGING FACE OF HARLEM is a documentary examining the rebirth of Harlem. Told through personal stories of residents, small business owners, politicians, and many more, this film highlights the community dealing with gentrification in their neighborhood.

8. Lapidus Talks @ Noon: Atlantic Slaveries at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture - The main speaker, Linford Fisher of Brown University, will discuss the similarities amongst the Native and African Americans concerning slavery in the 17th and 18th centuries.

9. The African American Presence in the Sourland Mountains and Surrounding Area at the Main Branch of the County Library - This program will detail the lives of local African American men and women who are buried in the Stoutsburg Cemetery in honor of Black History Month.

Free Black History Month Events in Atlanta

1. Amiri Baraka and the Congress of African People History and Memory - Dr. Michael Simanga will discuss his book and talk about the poet Amiri Baraka and movements started by African Americans.

2. Onyx Ball 2017 at Studio No. 7 - An annual event hosted by the African American Student Union that highlights the accomplishments of the black community at Georgia Tech. This event is great for college students looking to get rid of school stress and have some fun!

3. PNC Bank Celebrates Atlanta’s African American Business Leaders at the Center for Civil and Human Rights - Join this panel discussion hosted by Kiplin Primus, host of The Local Take on Jazz.

4. AAFEC FOUNDATION, INC. Presents Dekalb Community Choir in Concert at Georgia Piedmont Technical College - An explosive event of narration and song that enlightens and stirs the soul!!

5. All the Difference: Film Screening and Community Discussion - “The Crisis in Black Education” will be the central theme for this year’s Black History Month. Come and learn from the panel discussions and engage others in conversation!

6. Sycorax’s Daughters: A Horror Anthology of Prose and Poetry - If you love horror stories, then this event is for you! Check out this amazing panel discussion of African American women writers who collaborated on the anthology, Sycorax’s Daughters, reflective of African American history.

7. Injected Racial Scripts - This educational discussion will discuss topics about Blackness and people of African descent.

8. Atlanta Speed Dating Event for Single Professionals at the Hudson Grille Sandy Springs - Tired of perusing the dating apps and looking for something different? Check out this fun event for young, single professionals looking to meet that special someone!

9. African American Genealogy Workshop at the Gwinnett County Public Library - Centerville Branch - Ever been interested in tracing your roots? This event will provide free tools to help you do so, which can be eye-opening.

10. James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket - This powerful documentary strings together archival footage and the passionate intellect of James Baldwin. The event will also include a post screening discussion by Anthony Knight.

Free Black History Month Events in Chicago

1. Black Magic Masquerade at the DuSable Museum of African American History - Come join this exciting event showcasing local artists and celebrating African American culture!

2. Black Fashion Week|USA Emerging Designer Life Fashion Show at the DuSable Museum of African American History - This fashion show helps to expose designers of color around the USA. Check out the beautiful fashion, mingle with designers, and learn more about the diverse culture!

3. A Taste of African Heritage Cooking Classes at the Parish Hall Kitchens - The six lesson cooking class will help to incorporate healthy eating into your life! All the delicious recipes are inspired by African Diaspora cuisine so come and learn something new!

4. Lintsheray and Jewish-American Liberalism at the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation - Marc Caplan, of Yale University, will have a deep discussion regarding the lynching of African Americans and the connection with American Yiddish literature.

5. When God Speaks at the DuSable Museum of African American History - An extraordinary event of how God speaks through situations to us and through us. The theatrical presentation will include Jason Williams, June Jun, RealTalk, and many more!

6. Women’s History Month Annual Lecture at McCormick Theological Seminary - Guest speaker, Rev. Teresa Fry-Brown will lead the annual lecture for Women’s History Month!

7. “CHUCH” The Funny Truth by The Reverend Point Blank at The African American Women’s Center - Written by J. Johnson, this play presents a Reverend who grew up in the hood and is incredibly to the point. Check it out!

8. Bridging the Gap: A Sip & Shop Affair! at the Sweet Life Ultimate Beauty Experience - Celebrate African American culture by immersing yourself with beauty packages, food, art and so much more!

9. Provident Foundation Board Member Interest Meeting at the International Museum of Surgical Science - If you’re interested in learning more of the mission, come join for a round table discussion to support the next generation of those pursing careers in medicine.

10. Ethnic Heritage Ensemble at St. Adalbert’s Church - For those into jazz music, check out this amazing event showcasing three talented musicians!

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