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.

For 2021, most events will be held virtually to keep everyone safe and healthy.

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2021 Black History Month

The Ohio Statehouse Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, four special programs will be presented online by We’ve Known Rivers on Tuesdays at noon. Programs will be available virtually via Zoom. 

• February 2, 2021 at noon – Courage in the Skies: The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen by Anthony Gibbs
• February 9, 2021 at noon – A People Denied: Tri-Racial Appalachian Heritage by Lynette Ford
• February 16, 2021 at noon – Henry “Box” Brown:  Magician Escapes to Freedom by Rory Rennick
• February 23, 2021 at noon- Three River Streams: Stories from the “We’ve Known Rivers” Rivermates

Each program will be open to the public online using the Zoom app.  Some events include prerecorded videos, and live, interactive Q-and-A sessions. See details and Zoom links here.

Afterward, a recorded video of each program will be available at OhioChannel.org.

Columbus Metropolitan Library Black History Month

Our amazing library system celebrates Black History Month in February with a variety of programs.  Check out the complete schedule featuring storytelling, poetry, music, art and history. 

Register at the events calendar in order to receive links to participate in these programs. 

Cinemark Theaters: A Celebration of Black History, Stories, and Culture

A selection of Black films will be showing at theatres through the month as part of a special engagement. The below movies will be showing at Polaris 18 and XD and Gahanna Cinemark Stoneridge Plaza Movies 16 (movies may not be available at both theatres on each date)

• Ray: February 9 and 13
• Get on Up: February 23 and 27
• God’s Compass: February 25 and 26
• Boyz N The Hood: February 28 and March 3

Ohio History Connection Black History Month

Museum and sites that are part of Ohio History Connection are offering Black History Month Programming throughout Ohio. With most locations closed, programming and activities are virtual. This makes it even easier to participate in a variety of programs, no matter how far you live from the museums.

Presented in partnership with several of the organization’s historic sites, the Harriet Beecher Stowe House and the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, all programming is virtual and free for Ohio History Connection members unless noted. Advanced registration is required. More info: ohiohistory.org/blackhistory.

Ohio History Center Programming

• Connecting Cultures: Masks, Identity, and Community, Sat., Feb. 6, 10 a.m. Viewers will learn about three distinct African cultures and create an African mask. This program is recommended for children 5+ and their families.
• Underground Railroad Immersive Experience, Sat., Feb. 13, 10 a.m. Through the use of highly researched first-person interpreters, participants are able to experience the moral and social struggles surrounding the anti-slavery movement. This program is recommended for children 11+ and their families. 
• Evolution of American Cuisine, Thurs., Feb. 18, 7 p.m. During this discussion we’ll delve into the culinary traditions of three groups of people who have influenced the American cuisine we know today, enslaved people, immigrants and Indigenous peoples. Free/Ohio History Connection premium members. $5/Ohio History Connection Member. $20/ General Public.
• Snapshot: The Power of Protest, Sat., Feb. 20, 10 a.m.This program focuses on the Civil Rights Movement and encourages students to think deeply on social justice topics both in the past and present. 

Harriet Beecher Stowe House programming

• After Uncle Tom’s Cabin: The Horrors of Slavery, Told by the Formerly Enslaved, Weds., Feb. 3, 7 p.m. After the Civil War, Harriet Beecher Stowe became increasingly concerned with women’s issues, and we’ll follow her example by examining questions of both racial and gender justice as well as intersections between the two. A $5.00 donation is requested of non-members. The discussion is free for Harriet Beecher Stowe House members.
• Queens of the Queen City: Cincinnati Stories of African American Women Sun., Feb. 21, 7 p.m. Since the 1800s, Ohio was at the heart of social change led by African American women. Ohio drew Black women from across the country who found there wasn’t space for them in their chosen professions, in education, or in society at large, and so they claimed that space here. This program is $7/Free for Harriet Beecher Stowe House members. Reserve tickets here.

National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center programming

• Black Power in Comics Roundtable, Thurs., Feb. 4, 7 p.m. Storytellers have always been at the forefront of political and social change. It’s no different for Black comic creators, who have historically used their work to shine a light on how everyday people can overcome injustice and become heroes. This webinar is inspired by an exhibit currently on display at the NAAMCC: “Behind the Mask: Black Power in Comics”. 
• Before Her Time: The life of Virginia Hamilton, Thurs., Feb. 11, 11 a.m. Virginia Hamilton was born and raised in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Discover how this young African American writer became one of the most celebrated authors of children’s literature.
• Behind the Mask: Black Power in Comics, Mon., Feb. 15, 7 p.m. Discussion and overview of our Behind the Mask: Black Power in Comics exhibit, currently on display at the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center. The exhibit uncovers the influence of several generations of comic artists and illustrates how comics have changed as America has changed. NAAMCC curatorial assistant Derek Pridemore will explore how these comic artists are forging new stories while honoring the struggles of those who came before. 
• Art of Soul! Awards Ceremony and Exhibit closing event, Sat., Feb. 27, Noon. This event will feature an artist panel discussion, a virtual Art of Soul tour, and an awards ceremony. Register for this free education program.
• Queens of the Heartland, online exhibit tour. Queens of the Heartland features 30 of these pioneering women in a new exhibit curated by the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center. See an online tour of this powerful exhibit on YouTube.

Registration and more details for the Ohio History Connection programs are available here.

Black History Month at National Veterans Memorial and Museum

During Black History Month, they are sharing the experiences, challenges and triumphs of Black American Veterans by telling their stories. Check back each week during February for a new video as well as a series of virtual events and online programming.

African American Veterans fought our country’s wars even when they had to battle for the right to do so. This month, and every month, we honor these Veterans for their courage, sacrifice and perseverance with thanks for our freedoms. See videos and programming here.

Open on President’s Day with FREE admission for all.

The Office of Black Catholic Ministries

The Office of Black Catholic Ministries encourages all members of the Diocese of Columbus to join with the more than 3 million African American Catholics in the United States in learning more about the many contributions Black Catholics have made to the growth and expansion of our faith. They have stories and educational information available on the website.

The Ohio State University Office of Student Life Multicultural Center

The Multicultural Center is hosting a variety of virtual 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.

Columbus City Council Black History Month Celebration and Poindexter Awards Presentation

Columbus City Council presents a celebration of African American history in the success and shaping of Columbus on Friday, February 12 at 12 p.m. via Facebook Live. The theme for 2021 is the Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity. 
During the ceremony, Council will honor the Poindexter Awards recipients, named for the Rev. James P. Poindexter, the first black member of the Columbus City Council. See details here.

Storybook Online

Storyline Online®, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Celebrate Black History Month with your kids by enjoying special selections from Storybook Online. You’ll find great options in the “Black Stories, Black Voices” section. Some of the featured celebrities reading books include James Earl Jones, Tia & Tamera Mowry, Oprah, Wanda Sykes, Rashida Jones, and Viola Davis.

More Black History events…

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