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Where to Celebrate Black History Month in the New York Area

Where to Celebrate Black History Month in the New York Area

There are plenty of kid-friendly activities in NYC and beyond where your family can learn about and celebrate important figures, events, and moments in Black history.


UPDATED JANUARY 2021: February is Black History Month, and which means there are a lot of great family-friendly activities happening in the NYC area where kids can learn about and explore African-American history and culture. Check out the events below and see where you can celebrate Black History Month all over the New York metro area. And if you're looking for ways to continue the conversations with your kids year-round, try reading a book about Black history or watching a family-friendly movie about Black history.

Celebrate Black History Month in Manhattan

IN PERSON Superpowered Creators: Alma Woodsey Thomas
WHEN:
Through Feb. 7: daily, 9:45am-4pm
WHERE: Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., Upper West Side
AGES: All
WHAT: Create artwork inspired by Alma Woodsey Thomas' paintings, by tearing colored papers to create a rainbow paper collage.
WANT TO GO? $12-$15. Make reservations in advance. 

FREE. ONLINE Reading into History @ Home: The Journey of Little Charlie
WHEN:
Sunday, Feb. 7, 2-3pm
WHERE: DiMenna Children's History Museum at New-York Historical Society, Online
AGES: 9-12
WHAT: Discuss Newbery Medal Winner Christopher Paul Curtis’ historical fiction The Journey of Little Charlie. A teenaged son of white sharecroppers, a self-emancipating enslaved family, an escape to Canada, and a truly evil plantation overseer collide in this suspenseful and enlightening novel. Curtis doesn’t shy away from tough stories, and this page-turner is crammed with history. Discuss the book with other families, ask a New-York Historical curator questions to better understand this historical time period, and discover related primary sources from the museum's collection. 
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required. 

FREE. ONLINE Little New-Yorkers @ Home: The Power of Her Pen
WHEN:
Feb. 9-12, Tuesday and Friday, 3:30pm
WHERE: DiMenna Children's History Museum at New-York Historical Society, Online
AGES: 3-6
WHAT: Celebrate Black History Month and Valentine’s Day! Read The Power of Her Pen—written by Lesa Cline-Ransome and illustrated by John Parra—and learn about Ethel L. Payne, a journalist who had an ear for stories. Find out how Ethel looked for stories of truth, justice, and equality. Afterwards, create a newspaper Valentine’s Day card that tells a story of love. 
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.

FREE. ONLINE Black History Month Program Series - Ivan Velez
WHEN: February 8-12, 3-4pm
WHERE: New York Public Library
AGES: 13-18
WHAT: Join Cartoonist and Educator Ivan Velez as he teaches the fundamentals of manga to create characters of diversity, empowerment and tolerance to create new worlds in this week's vendor series!
WANT TO GO? Watch on the library's website. 

FREE. IN PERSON Black History Month: Seneca Village
WHEN: February 13, 1-2pm
WHERE: Central Park, 81st Street and Central Park West, Upper Manhattan
AGES: All
WHAT: Seneca Village was an important community of predominantly African-American property owners living in an area that now makes up part of Central Park. Learn about the lives of Seneca Village's residents in the 1800s and the community's place in pre-Central Park.
WANT TO GO? Meet at Central Park. 

FREE. ONLINE Living History @ Home: Black Soldiers & the USO
WHEN:
Wednesday, Feb. 10, 3-4pm
WHERE: DiMenna Children's History Museum at New-York Historical Society, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Do you know about the USO? Founded in 1941, the United States Organization (USO) has provided entertainment and services to American servicemembers and their families for decades. Learn about the early days of the USO during segregation, including the first club dedicated to Black service members in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Discover the individual stories of Black women, in particular, who lifted the morale and spirits of service members at USO clubs across the U.S. and around the world. 
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required. 

FREE. ONLINE Black History Month Celebration!
WHEN:
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 3:30-4:30pm
WHERE: New York Public Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Join Caren and her group of dancers and drummers in this celebratory program! In this interactive spectacle, participants will learn dance steps, hear stories with historical tie-ins, and get a front row seat to various performances from top NYC dancers. Presented by Urban Stages. 
WANT TO GO? Tune in online at www.nypl.org/watchandlearn

FREE. ONLINE Virtual Learning with the Intrepid Museum: African Americans in Space
WHEN:
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 3-4pm
WHERE: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Online
AGES: 8-18
WHAT: Join the museum in celebrating Black History Month, and examine the role of African Americans in space exploration!
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required. 

FREE. ONLINE Little New-Yorkers @ Home: Tar Beach
WHEN:
Feb. 23-26, Tuesday and Friday, 3:30pm
WHERE: DiMenna Children's History Museum at New-York Historical Society, Online
AGES: 3-6
WHAT: Read Tar Beach, by Faith Ringgold, to celebrate Black History Month. Meet Cassie Louise Lightfoot, who lives in New York City. Find out if she can really fly above her apartment building in Harlem. Following the story, create Cassie’s favorite dessert (ice cream!) at home.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.

FREE. ONLINE KidsLIVE! Author Program with Angela Johnson
WHEN:
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 3:30-4:30pm
WHERE: New York Public Library, Online
AGES: 5-9
WHAT: Angela Johnson is a multi-award-winning author, including three Coretta Scott King Awards and an Ezra Jack Keats award for her books. In this program, learn about Angela Johnson's newest book, A Girl Like Me, which is featured on NYPL’s Best Books for Kids 2020 List. Angela will be sharing about her life as an author, and what “accidental writing” means! This will be followed by a Q&A with Angela and NYPL librarians.
WANT TO GO? Tune in online at www.nypl.org/watchandlearn

FREE. ONLINE Living History @ Home: On the Journey to Freedom
WHEN:
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 3-4pm
WHERE: DiMenna Children's History Museum at New-York Historical Society, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Did you know that most enslaved men and women who ran away to freedom relied largely on their own ingenuity and skills? Join the museum online as historical interpreters bring their stories to life. Learn how they navigated uncharted terrain, fed themselves, and found different modes of transport to freedom. Listen and learn a song about the perils of slavery that was often sung by formerly enslaved persons.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.

FREE. ONLINE Writing Marvel's Black Panther: Sins of the King
WHEN:
Thursday, Feb. 25, 8-9pm
WHERE: New York Public Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Co-authors of the new Serial Box, Steven Barnes, Tananarive Due, and Geoffrey Thorne, exclusively discuss joining forces in the Marvel Universe.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required. 

FREE. ONLINE Special Family Preview Screening of Netflix's Family Reunion
WHEN:
Feb. 27-28, Saturday-Sunday, times vary
WHERE: The Paley Center for Media, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: As part of the The Paley Center for Media’s month-long celebration offerings for families, there will be a special sneak preview screening of a new episode from the upcoming season of Netflix’s Family Reunion, along with family watch party screening guides and fun recipes. 
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required. RSVP by Feb. 21 at 11:59pm.

Celebrate Black History Month in Brooklyn

FREE. IN PERSON Black History Month: Shirley Chisholm's Legacy
WHEN:
Saturday, Feb. 6, 2-3pm
WHERE: Shirley Chisholm State Park, 950 Fountain Avenue, Brooklyn
AGES: All
WHAT: Join the park educators at Hendrix Creek Patio to learn about the life of Shirley Chisholm and how her legacy has inspired generations! 
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.

FREE. ONLINE Indigo Arts Dance and Drum Ensemble
WHEN:
Saturday, Feb. 6, 1-2pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Join the Indigo Arts Dance and Drum Ensemble for this celebratory program! In this interactive performance for Black History Month, participants will learn traditional dance steps, hear stories with historical tie-ins, try their hands at percussion, and get a front row seat to performances from top NYC dancers.
WANT TO GO? Watch on on the BPL Facebook page

IN PERSON All Love Mkt
WHEN:
Sunday, Feb. 7, 12-6pm
WHERE: Industry City, 274 36th St, (Five Two A – Building 5), Brooklyn
AGES: All
WHAT: The All Love Market is a curated, physically-distant, pop-up shopping experience that highlights 25 emerging Black makers and manufacturers in NYC. Face masks are required upon entry.
WANT TO GO? Admission is free. 

FREE. ONLINE Musical Storytime: Charlie Parker Played Bebop and John Coltrane's Giant Steps
WHEN:
Thursday, Feb. 11, 1-1:30pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Online
AGES: 3-8
WHAT: Join the Kensington Library for a special musical storytime, featuring stories about two of history's greatest African American musicians, Charlie Parker and John Coltrane, as well as musical singalongs and games.
WANT TO GO? Watch on Facebook.

FREE. ONLINE Black History Month: Retro Detectives - Civil Rights Movement in Brooklyn
WHEN:
Friday, Feb. 12, 3-4:15pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Online
AGES: 7-17
WHAT: The Congress of Racial Equality (C.O.R.E.) was one of Brooklyn’s most important Civil Rights organizations. Whether they were marching 237 miles from Downtown Brooklyn to Washington, DC to join the March on Washington or helping the Bibuld family desegregate schools, they were united in their effort to protest against racism in Brooklyn and beyond. But, C.O.R.E.’s history is threatened to be lost! Agents, your mission is to uncover the stories of the people who stood up to injustice and amplify their voices by unlocking the clues to the archive that stores these highly important documents. 
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.

FREE. ONLINE Borough Park Presents Archforkids: The Griot in an African Village
WHEN:
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 3:30-4pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Online
AGES: 4-7
WHAT: The main job of the griot was to entertain the villagers with stories or traditional tales around a campfire. They would tell mythical stories of the gods and spirits of the region. They would also tell stories of kings and famous heroes from past battles. Griots were an important part of the culture and social life of the village. Participants will make a tabletop model of an African village featuring the griot campfire. 
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.

FREE. ONLINE Kids Explore: Shirley Chisholm
WHEN:
Wednesday, Feb. 17, 3:30-4:30pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Online
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Before Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris, there was another woman that ran for president in 1972. Her name was Shirley Chisholm, and she was African-American and born in Brooklyn! Join the library to celebrate Shirley Chisholm's life and learn about her legacy during Black History Month. The program will end by writing poems together about this amazing woman. 
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required. 

FREE. ONLINE Music Trivia
WHEN:
Thursday, Feb. 18, 6:30pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Join the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music for a music trivia event for the whole family focusing on Black composers and performers. Listen to live music by amazing faculty members Tahira Claton and Uton Onyejekwe, while testing your knowledge of these songs and their history.
WANT TO GO? RSVP required. 

IN PERSON Black Future Festival
WHEN:
Feb. 20-21, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm and 2-5pm (museum will be closed from 1-2pm for cleaning)
WHERE: Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights
AGES: All
WHAT: Join the Brooklyn Children’s Museum for a weekend of reflection and future-forward fun inspired by the national celebration of peoples of the African Diaspora and Black History Month. À?? Dance Theater Collective will be sharing an interactive dance performance to spark the creative possibilities of a brighter future. In the ColorLab art studio you’ll be creating future goggles and creating a community time capsule to record our future dreams and hopes. Learn more about the Black visionaries who help shape a bright future for us all! 
WANT TO GO? $13. Purchase tickets in advance.

FREE. ONLINE Events for Youth and Families: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman
WHEN:
Saturday, Feb. 20, 1-2pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: See an entertaining and educational Sundog Theatre production of a one-woman show based on the life and times of Harriet Tubman. Harriet’s harrowing and dangerous life unfolds as she tells the moving story of how she brought hundreds of slaves – and her own family – to freedom during the Civil War. Actress Christine Dixon tells the story of Tubman’s life in this dramatic one-woman performance about the heroic “Moses” of her people. The performance was originally adapted and directed by Morna Murphy Martell from the 1868 book by Sarah Bradford, Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman. The show includes original and reinterpreted music from period spirituals.
WANT TO GO? This pre-recorded program will air on the BPL Facebook page and YouTube Channel 

FREE. ONLINE Kids Create: Black History Collage
WHEN:
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 4-5pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Create art that honors and celebrates powerful figures in Black History using drawing and collage techniques. The project can be done with whatever materials you have at home, but you can also swing by the Brighton Beach Library the week before to pick up a grab and go program bag with supplies. 
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.

FREE. ONLINE Black History Month: Retro Detectives Brooklyn Dodgers World Series 1955
WHEN:
Friday, Feb. 26, 3-4:15pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Online
AGES: 7-17
WHAT: Jackie Robinson, a Civil Rights activist and one of the greatest baseball players of all time, was the first African American to play Major League Baseball. Thanks to Jackie, his team, the Brooklyn Dodgers, became unstoppable and made it all the way to the World Series in 1955. But now the team’s rivals are trying to sabotage the game and Jackie’s career! Agents, we need you to uncover the plot and stop the saboteurs before it’s too late!
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required. 



FREE. ONLINE Hip-Hop Workshop with Mikal Lee
WHEN: February 27, 5pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Online
AGES: 12-17
WHAT: Sign up for this interactive hip-hop workshop with Mikal Lee.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.

Celebrate Black History Month in Queens

FREE. ONLINE Black History Month: Paper Weaving Basket
WHEN:
Wednesday, Feb. 10, 3:15-4pm
WHERE: Queens Public Library, Online
AGES: 6-10
WHAT: Learn about the importance of baskets in African-American culture and make a basket by paper weaving with Ms. Shiu-hwa, Children's Librarian at Flushing. Materials needed: 8x11 paper in two colors, scissors, ruler, and glue.
WANT TO GO? Join here: https://queenslib.org/3qpWdwm

FREE. ONLINE Family Workshop: Black History Month Winter Camp
WHEN:
Feb. 15-19, register for schedule
WHERE: Queens Museum, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: This week-long workshop offers families opportunities to explore topics such as art, science, and history while simultaneously honoring Black History month. It will be a week filled with amazing activities. Each camp day will consist of a Zoom art share out component where families will have the chance to participate in fun games and share the art that they have created. 
WANT TO GO? Email [email protected] to register.

ONLINE Celebrating Black Botanists
WHEN:
Feb. 15-19, Monday-Friday, 10-11am
WHERE: Queens Botanical Garden, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Join Queens Botanical Garden on Zoom for an online family series celebrating Black achievements in the field of the botany. Workshops will feature prominent and relatively unknown historical Black botanists and scientists, demonstrations of their discoveries, and suggested at-home activities inspired by their work. The program will also highlight current BIPOC-led organizations that are carrying on the legacy of their achievements. 
WANT TO GO? $10; $8 member; free with Urban Advantage Student +3 Voucher. Advanced registration required for each session.

FREE. ONLINE Black History Month Trivia
WHEN:
Thursday, Feb. 18, 12-1pm
WHERE: Queens Public Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Join the library for a virtual trivia game for Black History Month.
WANT TO GO? Join here: https://queenslib.org/3ok4vEL

FREE. ONLINE Black History Month Story & Craft: Music
WHEN:
Friday, Feb. 19, 3-4:15pm
WHERE: Queens Public Library, Online
AGES: 4-7
WHAT: Join Ms. Jeanne, Youth Services Manager at Flushing, to explore Black History Month in story and a craft using paper, scissors, glue, and crayons.
WANT TO GO? Join here:  https://queenslib.org/3tcNMqK

FREE. ONLINE Black History Month: The Rhythms Of Our Roots With Urban Stages
WHEN:
Friday, Feb. 19, 4-4:45pm
WHERE: Queens Public Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Join Abou on a rhythmic journey from Africa to the US! Listen to the patterns and beats that have moved around the world and been passed down through generations, and then get a chance to try them yourselves. By the end of the workshop, the whole family will be able to drum along using common household objects.
WANT TO GO? Watch live on Facebook.

FREE. ONLINE Black History Month: Storytime With NYS Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul
WHEN:
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 11-11:30am
WHERE: Queens Public Library, Online
AGES: 4-7
WHAT: Celebrate Black History Month with a special storytime with Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. 
WANT TO GO? Watch live on Facebook

FREE. ONLINE Black History Month: Story Songs From The African Diaspora
WHEN:
Friday, Feb. 26, 4-4:45pm
WHERE: Queens Public Library, Online
AGES: 3-8
WHAT: What stories do we learn from music? French-Haitian musician Anaïs Maviel explores this question as she performs traditional songs from the African diaspora with voice, drums, and n'goni, a West African string instrument. Then she leads a Circle Singing workshop where participants are invited to share in improvisatory, call-and-response style singing. Learn about the idea of diaspora communities and have some fun singing along!
WANT TO GO? Watch on Facebook.

FREE. ONLINE Black History Month Story & Craft: Art
WHEN:
Friday, Feb. 26, 3:15-4pm
WHERE: Queens Public Library, Online
AGES: 4-7
WHAT: Join Ms. Jeanne, Youth Services Manager at Flushing, to explore Black History Month in story and a craft using paper, scissors, glue, and crayons. 
WANT TO GO? Queens Public Library 

FREE. ONLINE Fanike African Dance Troupe
WHEN:
Saturday, Feb. 27, 7pm
WHERE: Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Fanike African Dance Troupe embraces and respects the dance, rhythm, historic and growing culture tied to African movement. Their mission is to perpetuate the survival of African/African Diaspora culture and arts through dance and percussion presentation.  Directed by Patricia Ghizamboule Robinson, JCAL will stream Fanike’s signature libation, drumming and dance performance honoring the ancestors of the African Diaspora. 
WANT TO GO? RSVP requested. Watch on YouTube.

Celebrate Black History Month on Long Island

IN PERSON Blast Off!
WHEN:
Feb. 15-20, Monday-Saturday, 10:30am-12:30pm
WHERE: Long Island Children's Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City
AGES: 3 and older
WHAT: Dr. Mae Jemison, a physicist and NASA astronaut, became the first African-American woman to travel to space in 1992 aboard the Endeavor shuttle. Celebrate Black History Month and pay tribute to Dr. Jemison’s historic journey by creating your own NASA-inspired sticker scene. Stop by the "Blast Off!" station between 10:30 pm and 12:30 pm to participate, while supplies last.
WANT TO GO? Included with admission: $14; $13 ages 65 and older; free for members and children younger than 1 Reserve your tickets in advance.

FREE. ONLINE Family Program: Junior Friends' Black History Celebration: Meet Mr. Frederick Douglass!: Uniondale Public Library
WHEN:
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 3-4pm
WHERE: Uniondale Public Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Join the library for a virtual visit with famous African American abolitionist and fighter of equal rights for Black Americans, Mr. Frederick Douglass. Presented by Mr. Richard Ashby Jr.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required. 

FREE. ONLINE 'Black History Museum: Virtual Museum Experience' Freedom Rides Museum
WHEN: 
Thursday, Feb. 18, 3-4:30pm
WHERE: Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau, Online
AGES: 12-17
WHAT: In 1961, Freedom Riders, groups of volunteers, black and white, male and female, rode a Greyhound bus to Montgomery, Alabama in protest of segregation in public transportation. Students will visit this museum and learn about these courageous young people and the work they did to protest using non-violent methods. 
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required. Reserve your spot for this special community education event and earn community service credit! 

FREE. ONLINE The Root Of Black Music In America
WHEN:
Thursday, Feb. 18, 3-4pm
WHERE: The Bryant Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Karlus Trapp's delightful, educational, and entertaining presentation "The Roots of Black Music in America" is a 100 year journey back through time to hear, experience anew, and learn about the music of America's black musical giants.  It is a joyful show that encourages and comes alive through audience participation and interaction with singing, dancing, call and response, and percussion playing. This fun educational family show will leave you smiling, singing or humming for hours! 
WANT TO GO? Watch on Zoom

FREE. ONLINE Anansi, Aesop and Friends
WHEN:
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 7pm
WHERE: Elmont Memorial Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Are you ready to hear some stories about tricksters and clever animals? Enjoy entertaining stories about Anansi the Spider, Aesop's fables and other African tales. There will be lots of singing, dancing and storytelling as we celebrate African heritage! 
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required. 

Celebrate Black History Month in Westchester

FREE. ONLINE Celebrating Culture Beyond The Stage: A Black History Month Virtual Benefit featuring Youth in the Arts
WHEN:
Saturday, Feb. 6, 12-1pm
WHERE: The Society, Incorporated Renaissance Chapter, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: The Society, Incorporated Renaissance Chapter Supporting the Arts, will be hosting Celebrating Culture Beyond The Stage: A Black History Month Virtual Benefit featuring Youth. Enjoy a special afternoon, hosted by award-winning reporter and anchor Cheryl Wills, celebrating underserved talented students of the arts with fun and moving musical and artistic performances, special celebrity appearances, a fabulous array of auction items, and a salute to Black History Month.
WANT TO GO? RSVP online. 

FREE. ONLINE Bass Baritone Performance of Spirituals & Oratorio, in recognition of Black History Month
WHEN: February 13, 1pm
WHERE: St. Paul's Church N.H.S., Online
AGES: All
WHAT: In a live distance presentation, through a shared platform, acclaimed bass baritone Ronald Campbell, with keyboard accompaniment, will perform oratorio and operatic selections, including spirituals, in recognition of Black History Month.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.

FREE. ONLINE Virtual Planetarium Shows: Honoring Outstanding Black Scientists
WHEN: February 15-19, 12:30pm
WHERE: Hudson River Museum, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: In honor of Black History Month, the Hudson River Museum tour of the sky will include a look at the contributions and discoveries of Black Americans, including NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, astronomer and cartographer Benjamin Banneker, astronaut and NASA administrator Charles F. Bolden, astrophysicist and engineer George Carruthers, and X-ray physicist and engineer George Alcorn, Jr.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required. 

FREE. ONLINE Tree Time: Mamma Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya
WHEN:
Tuesday, Feb. 16, anytime
WHERE: The New York Botanical Garden, Online
AGES: 4-8
WHAT: Kids can join NYBG’s Explainers for an activity inspired by Donna Jo Napoli’s beautifully illustrated Mamma Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya—the true story of Wangari Maathai, who founded Kenya’s Green Belt movement and was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Plus, participants will learn how to adopt a street tree in their own neighborhood.
WANT TO GO? The New York Botanical Garden

FREE. ONLINE Black History Month Celebration
WHEN:
Saturday, Feb. 20, 1pm
WHERE: Ossining Public Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Karlus Trapp: The Roots of Black Music in America Take a 100-year journey back through time to hear and learn about the history of America's black musical giants! 
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required. 

FREE. IN PERSON Black History Month: The Birthplace of Hip-Hop
WHEN:
Saturday, Feb. 27, 1-2pm
WHERE: Cedar Playground, West 179th Street & Sedgwick Avenue, Bronx
AGES: All
WHAT: On August 11, 1973, hip hop was born in The Bronx at a recreational room party. The party was so popular and crowded it had to move the party over to what is now known as Cedar Playground. See the sites that birthed hip-hop.
WANT TO GO? Urban Park Rangers. 

Celebrate Black History Month in Rockland

FREE. ONLINE B&N Virtual Saturday Storytime: All Because You Matter
WHEN:
Saturday, Feb. 6, 11am
WHERE: Barnes & Noble -Palisades Center, Online
AGES: 4-8
WHAT: Join Barnes & Noble as they read All Because You Matter by Tami Charles, a poignant, timely, and emotionally stirring picture book, and an ode to black and brown children everywhere that is full of hope, assurance, and love. 
WANT TO GO? Watch on YouTube and download activity sheets at BN.com/Storytime

FREE. IN PERSON Dave the Potter: Celebrate Black History!
WHEN:
Sunday, Feb. 7, 2-3:30pm
WHERE: Kingston Ceramics Studio, 77 Cornell Street, Kingston
AGES: All
WHAT: In honor of Black History Month, MyKingstonKids and Kingston Ceramics Studio presents the inspirational story of "Dave The Potter." You are invited to this creative and fun free event. Hear the story of Dave The Potter, a 19th century enslaved artist who became one of the most talented potters in the land and wrote poetry on his work. Learn about the African-American tradition of face jugs and make your own!
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required. 

FREE. ONLINE Black Wax Storytelling with Music
WHEN:
Monday, Feb. 8, 6-6:30pm
WHERE: West Orange Public Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: This imaginary journey to the Black museum will fill your heart with music and stories about the contributions of our great African ancestors. Animated clips and live call and response make this Black history lesson an unforgettable experience!
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required. 

FREE. ONLINE Family FUNDay with Bright Star Theater! Jackie Robinson Story
WHEN:
Saturday, Feb. 13, 11-11:45am
WHERE: Hoboken Public Library, Online
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: Jackie Robinson’s number “42” has come to symbolize the triumph of the human spirit over incredible odds. This biographical tale follows the life of Jackie Robinson, the first Black baseball player to cross the color lines in the Major Leagues. A real-life hero and a tribute to the power of persistence and determination in the face of adversity, see why Jackie Robinson has inspired so many people both in and out of sports! This show will be presented by Bright Star Theater!
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required for Zoom link.

RELATED:

African American Historical Landmarks in the New York Area

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Main image: The Young People's Chorus of New York City featuring American baritone Lester Lynch.
Courtesy Christ Church


 

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