MINNEAPOLIS — February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate and honor the contributions made by generations of African American men and women to culture, politics, and civil rights in this country. It's also a time to study and recognize the struggle for racial justice Black Americans have fought to achieve for decades.
In 1926, Carter G. Woodson and the organization he founded, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, conceived Negro History Week, which would expand to Black History Month 50 years later in 1976. Today the association is known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, and continues to promote Black history.
Here's a list of some local events happening in communities around the Twin Cities all throughout February:
Virtual meditation, mindfulness and movement events
- Click this Zoom link to join
- Mindfulness meditation 9-9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7.
- Zumba experience 3-4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8.
- Mindfulness meditation 9-9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14.
- Mindfulness meditation 9-9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21.
- Mindfulness meditation 9-9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28.
- Wednesday, Feb. 1 and Wednesday, Feb. 15, 5-7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- The exhibit is comprised of a collection of African American art and artifacts from the Diane and Alan Page Collection, and accompanied by a series of in-person and online programs and events.
- Feb. 1 through March 29
- Skyway-level Cargill Gallery
Moving to Minnesota: The Migration and Immigration Experience
- Approximately 6 million Black people moved from the American South to northern, midwestern and western states from roughly the 1910s to 1970s, part of what's known as the Great Migration
- Thursday, Feb. 2, 12-1 p.m.
- City of Minneapolis Public Service Building, 505 Fourth Ave. S., Conference Room 100
- Also streaming online on the City of Minneapolis' YouTube channel
Embracing and Empowering our Youth
- Thursday, Feb. 9, 12-1 p.m.
- City of Minneapolis Public Service Building, 505 Fourth Ave. S., Conference Room 100
- Also streaming online on the City of Minneapolis' YouTube channel
2023 History Makers at Home award ceremony
- The Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights will honor several Black community leaders as part of the History Makers at Home program
- Thursday, Feb. 16 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. programming, 12:30-1:30 p.m. refreshments and networking
- Capri Theater, 2027 West Broadway Ave.
- Also streaming online on the City of Minneapolis' YouTube channel
Rock Your Crown Past Present and Creative
- Thursday, Feb. 23, 12-1 p.m.
- City of Minneapolis Public Service Building, 505 Fourth Ave. S., Conference Room 100
- Also streaming online on the City of Minneapolis' YouTube channel
City of St. Paul's Black History Month Celebration
- Friday, Feb. 24, 4-5:30 p.m.
- Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, 270 N Kent Street
"I Am My Ancestors Wildest Dreams" Expo
- The expo will feature free vending opportunities for small Black-owned businesses, celebrity guest speakers from around the country, music, poets, panel discussions, workshops and information pop-ups. The expo will also include the “Too Dope to Bully” experience, focusing on youth, ages 4-18.
- Saturday, Feb. 25 from 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
- Minneapolis Convention Center
Hennepin County Library Black History Month events
- All month long
- Throughout February, the Mall of America in Bloomington will showcase local Black entrepreneurs, share their stories + raise awareness through events hosted with our Twin Cities community partners.
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