Black History Month events in Columbus

February is Black History Month, and there are lots of events and activities honoring the significance and celebrating the achievements by Black Americans in U.S. history.

2023 Black History Month

Pioneers of African American Cinema at Gateway Film Center

This winter, watch a collection of the earliest African American films, celebrating the work of our nation’s groundbreaking filmmakers. Read more about the collaboration and see the schedule/book tickets on the website. 

AMC Celebrates Black Filmmakers

AMC Theatres is giving moviegoers the opportunity to revisit some of the most recent biographical dramas, military epics, and dramatic action movies created by or starring outstanding Black filmmakers.

AMC Theatres is offering special $5 Fan Fave pricing for each of the four titles listed below. More details here.

February 3rd – February 9th: TILL
February 10th – February 16th: DEVOTION 
February 17th – February 23rd: THE WOMAN KING 
February 24th – March 1st: BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER 

The following are from 2022 and will be updated soon

Black Joy: A Family Film Series at McConnell Arts Center

The series is presented in partnership with the Worthington Alliance of Black Families and Educators and Worthington Libraries, and sponsored by the Friends Foundation of Worthington Libraries.

Tickets are free; reservations required. Refreshments available for purchase.

February 12: Soul
February 19: Black Panther
March 12: Akeelah and the Bee (reserve ticket)
March 19: Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (reserve ticket)

McConnell Arts Center, 777 Evening St, Worthington, OH 43085 614.431.0329

The Ohio Statehouse Black History Month

The Ohio Statehouse celebrates Black History Month in February with free historical performances on select Tuesdays at noon. The live performance are 45-minutes, followed by 15 minutes for Q&A. The events are free and open to the public.  

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023
OF MEMORY AND HISTORY:  An Affrilachian Storyteller Speaks Again 
Performance by Lyn Ford, storyteller and author

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023
MENTORING THE ARTS AND DRAWING COMICS 
Artist Bryan Moss is inspired by mentorship. 

There is also a 15% discount off food orders at Capitol Cafe HouseTaco on Tuesday, February 14 and Tuesday, February 28, 2023.

More details here.

Columbus Metropolitan Library Black History Month

Our amazing library system celebrates Black History Month in February with a variety of programs, both in-person and virtual.  Check out the complete schedule featuring storytelling, poetry, music, art and history. There are lots of cool exhibits and events on the schedule!

Register at the events calendar in order to receive links to participate in these programs where registration is required. 

All Arts Day – Aminah Robinson Day

February 18, 2023 from 10 am – 3 pm at the King Arts Complex

Each February, The King Arts Complex honors the life and legacy of one Columbus’ most celebrated artists at the Annual Aminah Robinson Family Day.

This special event is an opportunity for people of all ages to create art with local visual artists, enjoy music, and learn more about Aminah’s rich contributions to the world of art. All Arts Day is a free, community event; register here.

Surround yourself in inspiration and storytelling with themed projects inspired by her work. Kick-start your imaginations with prompts designed for a wide range of ages, abilities and materials. These workshops are free and supplies are provided.

Black History Month with Ohio History Connection

February 2023

Ohio History Connection is made up of the Ohio History Center and more than 50 historic sites throughout Ohio.

The Ohio History Connection celebrates Black History month with events at the Ohio History Center, and more at the Harriet Beecher Stowe House and the National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center.

They offer a robust series of Black history programs including curator talks, discussions and interactive experiences. Some are virtual, so you can participate and enjoy from anywhere. 

See registration and full offerings on the website.

As A Matter of Black: Film Screening and Discussion

Sunday, February 26, 2023
Tickets are $10-$15; details here.

The film, As A Matter of Black is a documentary that chronicled the work of local artists during a time of civil unrest. After a viewing of the film, Donte Woods-Spikes, the filmmaker will talk about the motivation behind his work and will lead a discussion with artists that were featured in the film.

National Veterans Memorial and Museum

Legacies of Black Veterans

Sunday, February 26, 2023, 2-3:30 p.m. | Free
Honor the 200,000 pioneering Soldiers of the United States Colored Troops (USCT). Authors, scholars and descendants will discuss the USCT’s critical contributions to the Union’s victory in the Civil War, share lesser-known pieces of history and feature musical performances and a poetry reading from the works of Paul Laurence Dunbar. 

The event is free, but registration is required.

Student Life Center for Belonging and Social Change at The Ohio State University 

The Multicultural Center is hosting a variety of activities for United Black World Month. If you are a student or want to pass the information on to a student, check out the calendar here. which includes book club meetings, speakers, conversations, and more.

45th Annual African American Heritage Festival

February 24, 2023 – March 4, 2023

This week-long festival is presented by the Student Life Center for Belonging and Social Change. Details here.

Experience Columbus Black History Month Resources

You’ll find lots of ways to celebrate Black History Month with Experience Columbus. 

There are various tours, historical sites of significance and several events, exhibitions and activities for all ages scheduled throughout the month. 

CBUS SoulⓇ platform

Find themed-itineraries and a list of all of the Black-owned businesses around the city to support.

Columbus Black History Tours

Learn the ins and outs of Columbus’ Black History with tour guide, author and local historian, Rita Fuller-Yates. Uncover the history of notable buildings such as the Lincoln Theatre, the Pythian Theater, St. Paul African Episcopal Methodist Church and more. 

Tours are available virtually at any time or in person for groups pending availability.

Historical Sites, Museums & Gardens

During the time of the Underground Railroad, Ohio was more active than any other state, offering more than 3,000 miles of routes to enslaved people seeking freedom. The Greater Columbus area is home to several significant stops along the Underground Railroad. 

At the Kelton House Museum & Garden in downtown’s Discovery District, visitors can tour the home of former abolitionists and learn the daily life, customs and decorative arts in 19th-century Columbus, as well as the region’s significance during the time of the Underground Railroad.

At the Dublin Historical Society, learn how Dr. Eli Morrison Pinney hid freedom seekers on his property and take a walking tour to see the speaking tube Pinney used to communicate to those seeking refuge in his barn.

In nearby Westerville, visitors can tour the Hanby House and learn about its history as an Underground Railroad stop, as well as the history of William Hanby, a white former indentured servant who escaped to Ohio, became involved in the abolitionist movement and eventually co-founded Otterbein University.

(info courtesy of Experience Columbus)

More Black History events…

We’ll be adding more events for Black History Month as we find them. Check back throughout February.

Find more great resources and inspiration about Black History on the Hallmark website.