Boston is a city beaming with history, innovation, and education, and communities in and around the city are celebrating Black History month this February. There are plenty of events, museums, and experiences to partake in to meet, learn, and educate the public on Boston’s Black history. Check out some of these awesome happenings for the month below!
1. Explore Boston’s Black Heritage Trail
This 1.6 mile trail through Beacon Hill showcases residences and buildings of Black community members that thrived on the northern part of the hill before, during, and after the Civil War. The trail will take you through parts of Charles Street, Joy Street, and make final destinations at the Abiel Smith School and the African Meeting House, which are both part of the Museum of African American History.
2. Check out a local museum’s Black History month exhibit
Many of Boston museums are hosting special exhibits for Black History month, and others showcase permanent collections. Also make sure to check out the aforementioned Musuems of African American history located in at 46 Joy St. on Beacon Hill in Boston and with another location in Nantucket. Some other great exhibits honoring Black history month in and around Boston include:
- Black History Weekend at the Museum of Science (Feb 4-5)
- “Black Dolls Matter” exhibit at the Jean McDonough Arts Center in Worcester (Feb 4)
- “Leadership Redefined” at the Leica Gallery in Boston (Feb 4)
3. Visit ‘The Embrace” monument which pays tribute to MLK and 65 other civil rights leaders
The bronze sculpture in the Boston Common, just around the bend from The Black Heritage Trail, was unveiled last month and pays tribute to Dr. King and Coretta Scott King who met while students in Boston. It is a dynamic symbol of Dr. King’s work and message of peace and unity.
4. Get in the groove at the Afro Caribbean Black History Gala and Awards
To closeout Black History month with a bang, the Massachusetts Caribbean community is hosting a special gala on February 25. There will be food music, dancing and so much to celebrate.
Florian Hall 55 Hallet Street Boston, MA 02122
5. Test your knowledge at a Black History Jeopardy Game
The Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy Charter Public School will host a family-friendly faceoff to celebrate the month. Trivia based on Black culture will be the theme of this fun night inspired by the hit game show Jeopardy. We’re going- final answer!
Find it at 23 Leonard St., Boston
6. Get fit at the ‘Black Health, Wealth, and Wellness’ fair
Learn from Black entrepreneurs and the intersection of African American health and wellness. The 3-day event starting on February 18 is all about reconnecting your mental, spiritual and physical health using tips and tricks rooted in Black history.
Find it at 200 Westgate Dr, Brockton, MA
7. Groove out at a roller-skating party hosted by the African American Association of Brockton
Turn up the heat at a 90s themed Black History month skate at the Carousel Family Fun Center. That’s exactly what you’ll have here- loads of fun. Celebrate the month with epic music, raffles, prizes, and delicious eats.
Skates are available to rent for $5 and admission is $10. Join the fun from 7 to 10 PM on February 25.
Find it at 1055 Auburn St., Whitman, MA
8. Take an African and Black art class at the Musuem of Fine Arts
The MFA invites youth to learn and understand Black history with two compelling art classes in its “Beyond the Spectrum” series, created for young adults on the spectrum and this month focusing on the work of Black artists. The classes will take place on February 4 and 18.
Find it at the MFA; 465 Huntington Ave
9. Attend an epic concert celebrating the ‘Sound of Soul’
Students of the Berklee College of Music will cover art created by Black artists at their two-concert series this February. Catch “The Sound of Soul” for free on February 9 at 7:30 PM or “Gumbo Stories” on February 23 at 8 PM. Tickets are required for “Gumbo Stories” and can be found on the Berklee website.
10. And keep the beat going with a free opera show celebrating Black artists
Join the Opera on Tap, a Boston organization dedicated to increasing the accessibility of opera, will perform a free show Somerville’s, The Burren. Listen to favorites by Black artists like Duke Ellington, Florence Price, and Margaret Bonds.
Find it February 25 at 12 PM at 247 Elm St., Somerville
11. Attend a fashion show celebrating Black designers
The fashion scene here is still emerging, but these designers are ahead of their time. Wentworth’s National Society of Black Engineers hosts local Black fashion designers including Omo Studios, Urban Pigeons, and Cozy Archives. It’s going to be very haute stuff. Tickets for the show are $10 and the show is open to the public.
Find it February 18 at 7 PM at Wentworth; 550 Huntington Ave
12. Support Black-owned businesses at the CambridgeSide Black history month pop-ups
In recognition of Black History Month, CambridgeSide in partnership with J. Perry Fine Art, will host two pop-up vendor markets on Saturdays, February 11 and 25. The pop-up markets will feature art, jewelry, home décor and more from local black-owned businesses. Vendors include Rocky Cotard, August Sun Candles, Larry Pierce, CrownBox and more.
Find the Pop-Up Markets on Level 1 from 11 AM to 8 PM at 100 Cambridgeside Place