February is Black History Month. This month is an opportunity to recognize that there is no American history without Black history. In 2016, President Obama said about Black History Month, “It’s about the lived, shared experience of all African Americans, high and low, famous and obscure, and how those experiences have shaped and challenged and ultimately strengthened America. It’s about taking an unvarnished look at the past so we can create a better future.”
These words are important as we head into this year's Black History theme—Black Health & Wellness. The theme is a celebration of Black achievement in the medical field but also an acknowledgement of the failures to adequately protect Black lives during the coronavirus pandemic and throughout history. Now is the time to educate yourself on the transformative legacies of Henrietta Lacks and of Black women in the reproductive justice movement. Let’s advocate for racial justice and celebrate Black history not only this month but all year long.
Progress Texas has compiled a list of events in Texas celebrating Black History Month:
Statewide
February 4, 10, 18, 28 - Take Central Market virtual cooking classes with notable Black chefs
Until February 6 - Get tickets to the Virtual Denton Black Film Festival
All month long - Take an asynchronous class on the History of the Black Experience
All month long - Curl up with a book from The Dock Bookshop Black History Month Booklist
Austin
February 4 - Join the City of Kyle for their annual Dialogue for Peace and Progress panel
February 8 & 15 - Join the Austin Public Library in a discussion with Dr. Jeff Hutchinson, a member of the Austin Black Physicians Association
February 10 - Take the kids to an interactive reading of Black Is a Rainbow Color at the Bullock Museum
February 8, 9, 17, 22 - Experience Black poetry and art with events held by Austin Community College
February 15 - Visit the Round Rock Public Library for a Black History Month Trivia Night
February 4, 7, 16, 24, 28 - Celebrate by attending events held by UT Austin including book talks, lectures, exhibits and a cookout
All month long - Visit the George Washington Carver Museum and attend events from their month long programming
All month long - Listen to the KUT & KUTX Black Austin Matters podcast
All month long - Check out events planned in Georgetown, Texas
Dallas
February 18-19 - Attend Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s Cultural Awareness performance (Virtual or In-Person)
February 12 - Go on a motorcoach tour of the African American history of Far North Dallas
February 3-28 - Join the Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center at their exhibit honoring Black heroes in aviation
All month long - Check out the Dallas Public Library’s extensive programming for adults, teens and children
All month long - Visit the Dallas African American Museum
Houston
February 3, 17, 24, 26 - Attend film screenings, book talks and lectures at the Houston Holocaust Museum
Every Saturday in February - Celebrate with Avenida Houston, programming will feature art, music, minority vendors, and educational activities
All month long - Visit the Houston Public Library for exciting events all month long
All month long - Catch Houston Public Media’s Black History Month radio and television programming
San Antonio
February 5, March 4, April 1, May 6, September 2, October 7, November 4 - Attend film screenings all year long with the San Antonio African American Community Archive & Museum’s Black History Film Series
February 27-March 6 - Eat out during San Antonio’s Black Restaurant Week
February 12, 15, 19 - Learn about African American Cultural Memory and look at over 4500 historical funeral programs with the San Antonio Public Library
Fort Worth
February 20 - Attend the Fort Worth Opera’s Night of Black Excellence Concert
Until February 27 - Catch a showing of Lil & Satchmo, a musical love story about Louis Armstrong and Lil Hardin Armstrong, at the Jubilee Theatre
All month long - Visit the Juried Art Show featuring pieces on Black Health & Wellness at the Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society
All month long - Go on a self-guided African American History tour of Fort Worth
Other Texas Cities
February 2, 4, 7, 10, 15, 18, 23 - Follow along with Texas Tech’s month long programming in Lubbock
All month long - Go on a self-guided tour of Waco’s African American History
Starting April 14 - Attend a virtual exhibit of El Paso’s Black History
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