Celebrate Black History Month
The Mayor and City Council passed a resolution honoring Black History Month. The resolution states that “the Mayor and City Council do hereby commemorate the achievements of Black Americans as history makers and legacy trailblazers and their role in the development of the region and the nation since its inception, and we join in recognizing the annual celebration of Black History Month and the anniversary of the Minneapolis Black Employee Network.”
History Through Camera
Powderhorn Park (3400 15th Ave S)
Mondays in Feb., 6–8:30 PM • Ages 10–18
This Black History Month we will celebrate with a weekly movie from Disney+. Over the month we will watch Hidden Figures, Black is King, and Black Panther. Each week we will talk about the real life impacts of the movies we watch while enjoying a snack.
Black Music History
Powderhorn Park (3400 15th Ave S)
Thursdays in Feb., 4–6 PM • Ages 10–18
Celebrate Black History Month every Tuesday in February! Activities throughout the month will include Black History trivia, a coloring contest, and movies. Snacks will be provided.
Celebrate Black History Month
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park (4055 Nicollet Ave S)
Tuesdays in Feb., 5:30 PM • Ages 10–18
Celebrate Black History Month every Tuesday in February! Activities throughout the month will include Black History trivia, a coloring contest, and movies. Snacks will be provided.
Black Music & the Arts – The Minneapolis Sound
Wednesday, Feb. 7, 12–1:30 PM
Minneapolis Public Service Bldg, Conf. Rm 100 (505 4th Ave S)
A panel discussion to explore the history of Black contributions to music with a focus on the “Minneapolis Sound.”
Meet at Mia: Celebrating Black History
Thursday, Feb. 8, 5–9 PM
Minneapolis Art Inst. (2400 3rd Ave S)
Celebrate Black History Month at Mia with music, art-making, and more. This event is free and open to the public; food and drink available for purchase.
Music by DJ Keezy, 5–9 PM
Art-Making Zines with BakiBakiBaki, 5:30–8:30 PM
Exhibition American Gothic: Gordon Parks & Ella Watson, 5–9 PM
Conversations with Mia guides stationed in the galleries, 6–8 PM
Self Guided Tour of work by African American artists, 5–9 PM
“Okra & Indigo” Opening Reception
Saturday, Feb. 10, 2–5 PM
MN African American Heritage Museum (1256 N Penn Ave)
The exhibition is a culinary storytelling art experience that shares the story of historical chefs within the Black/African American community and Black Minnesotan’s relationships with food.
Celebrate Black History in the Twin Cities
Tuesday, Feb. 13, 7 – 8 PM • free, registration required
Magers & Quinn Booksellers (3038 Hennepin Ave S)
From internationally-reaching events to local family histories, authors Shannon Gibney, Carolyn Holbrook, Ebony J. Davis, and David Mura will discuss their work and present on fascinating local topics.
Black & Belonging
Wednesday, Feb. 14, 12–1:30 PM
Minneapolis Public Service Bldg, Conf. Rm 100 (505 4th Ave S)
A community discussion around belonging to a collective and creating welcoming spaces where we all belong.
Family Feud: Black History Month Trivia
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 12–2 PM
North Point Conf. Center, Floor 5, Ste 5200 (1256 Penn Ave N)
Featuring Hennepin County and City of Minneapolis employees: a live event to have fun, laugh, show off what you know about Black history, or learn something new.
History Makers at Home
Thursday, Feb. 22, 11 AM –1:30 PM
Capri Theater (2027 W Broadway Ave)
The Minneapolis Civil Rights Department will recognize leaders in the areas of business, criminal justice, education, economic development, health, housing and government.
Discovering African American Roots: Genealogy Workshop
Thursday, Feb. 22, 6–8 PM
MN African American Heritage Museum (1256 Penn Ave N)
In this workshop, professional geneologist Mica L. Anders will introduce the tools you need to begin your family history journey, highlight uniquely African American sources, and help you uncover your family’s stories to honor their legacy.
Youth Zine & Collage Workshop
Saturday, Feb. 24, 11 AM – 1 PM
MN African American Heritage Museum (1256 N Penn Ave)
A zine (short for magazine) is a small, diy-created book about any topic you can think of. In this workshop, you will create your own zine while learning about the history of African Americans in Minnesota and how the art form of self-publication is being used as a form of protest. You will be encouraged to draw, write, and/or collage to create your zines.
Rock Your Crown
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 12–1:30 PM
Minneapolis Public Service Bldg, Conf. Rm 100 (505 4th Ave S)
This is the event where hair rules! With the State of Minnesota signing the Crown Act into law, we will celebrate the history of Black hair and the art of styling it.
MN African American Heritage Museum (1256 N Penn Ave)
”Okra and Indigo” by artist Azania Tripp is a culinary storytelling art experience that shares the story of historical chefs within the Black/African American community and Black Minnesotan’s relationships with food. This show art exhibition is inspired by the book “High on the Hog” by Jessica Harris, and accompanying TV series by the same name.
Somali Museum of MN (1516 E Lake St #011)
Celebrate the traditions and heritage of the Somali people in a collection of more than 700 pieces of craftwork, paintings and sculptures, ranging from nomadic objects and a model nomad’s hut to contemporary art.
Weisman Art Museum (333 E River Pkwy)
Addressing the violence of separation, the practice of keeping memories and the invasive effects of colonialism, Pritika Chowdhry, Chotsani Elaine Dean and Courtney M. Leonard contemplate the past, the present and possible futures in their large scale, ceramic-based installation works.
Minneapolis Art Institute (2400 3rd Ave S)
”American Gothic: Gordon Parks & Ella Watson” brings together nearly 60 photographs. The exhibit proposes new grounds for understanding Parks as an artist and activist, highlighting a unique collaboration between two Black federal employees at a crucial juncture in history.