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