OHIO, USA — February is Black History Month. It is one of the oldest organized history celebrations in the nation.
Carter G. Woodson, a founder of the Association for the Study of African American History, originally came up with the idea of Negro History Week to encourage Black Americans to become more interested in their own history and heritage.
The first Negro History Week was announced in February 1926, and proved to be successful. It paved the way for what is now Black History Month.
From the greater Toledo area to southeast Michigan or even online wherever you might be, here is a list of some of the ways to observe and celebrate Black History Month:
OHIO
TOLEDO
- Feb. 2, 4-5 p.m. at Lagrange Branch Library, 3422 Lagrange St.
- Learn about unique ways of cooking by recreating a rice dish
- Recommended for ages 6-17
- Feb. 3, 11:30 a.m.-noon at multiple locations:
- Kent Branch Library, 3101 Collingwood Blvd.
- Mott Branch Library, 1010 Dorr St.
- Sanger Branch Library, 3030 W. Central Ave.
- Celebrate the life of Rosa Parks with an interactive children's book read by a local community leader
- Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 4 at 3 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 316 Adams St.
- Tickets are $10 for seniors and students or $15 for general admission and available online at this link
- Feb. 5, 3-4 p.m. at Mott Branch Library
- Showcase your talent by singing old and new school songs to celebrate Black History Month
- Feb. 5, 7-8 p.m. at Sanger Branch Library
- Adults 18+
- Feb. 6, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Lagrange Branch Library
- Celebrating Black boyhood with activities and members of the local community
- All ages
- Feb. 7, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Washington Branch Library, 5560 Harvest Ln.
- Learn about Black History Month and Black Americans in a fun, safe space
- Ages 11-17
Better Toledo | "The Right to Read" screening and discussion sponsored by Human Relations Commission
- Feb. 8, 4-6 p.m. at Main Library, 325 N Michigan St.
- "The Right to Read" shares stories of an NAACP activist, a teacher and two American families who fight to provide children with the ability to read
- Film screening will be followed by a moderated panel discussion and Q&A
- Featured panelists include Toledo Public Schools board member Sheena Barnes, Toledo Lucas County Public Library Youth Services Coordinator Nancy Eames, HOPE Toledo President and CEO John Jones
- Registration online at the Toledo Library's website
- Feb. 9, 10 a.m.-noon at 1326 Collingwood Blvd.
- Feb. 10, 2-3:30 p.m. at Main Library
- Exploring cuisines from around the world including samples during the demonstration
- In partnership with SAME Cafe, Welcome TLC and Women of Toledo
- All ages
- Feb. 10, 2-4 p.m. at Mott Branch Library
- Damen Cook & Friends, a four-piece jazz combo, presenting an afternoon of jazz in celebration of Black History Month
- Feb. 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Lagrange Branch Library
- Celebrating Black boyhood with activities and members of the local community
- Discussions, crafts and food
- Ages 6-17
- Feb. 14, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Washington Branch Library
- Learn about Black History Month and Black Americans in a fun, safe space
- Ages 11-17
- Feb. 15, 7-8 p.m. on Zoom: Register at this link
- Ages 18+
- Feb. 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Health Education Building on the University of Toledo's Main Campus
- Feb. 17, 2-3 p.m. at Main Library
- Creating crafts and snacks to celebrate Black History Month
- Ages 10 and younger
- Feb. 17, 2-4 p.m. at King Road Branch Library
- Part documentary, part music film and part historical record covering the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, which celebrated Black history, culture and fashion
- All ages
- Feb. 17, 8 p.m. at Lucille's at TolHouse, 1447 N. Summit St.
- Join Toledo Symphony musicians for a free performance celebrating Black History Month
- Feb. 19, 6 p.m. at Doermann Theater in University Hall, UToledo Main Campus
- Feb. 19, 7-8 p.m. at Sanger Branch Library
- Discussion of the under 200-page book "Recitatif" by Toni Morrison, no registration necessary
- Ages 18+
- Feb. 20, 2-3:30 p.m. at Birmingham Branch Library, 203 Paine Ave.
- Ages 18+
- Feb. 20, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Lagrange Branch Library
- Celebrating Black boyhood with activities and members of the local community
- All ages
- Feb. 21, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Washington Branch Library
- Learn about Black History Month and Black Americans in a fun, safe space
- Ages 11-17
- Feb. 21, 6-7:30 p.m. in Thompson Student Union Room 2592 at UToledo Main Campus
- Conversations with local minority beauticians and estheticians
- Feb. 21, 6-7:30 p.m. in Thompson Student Union Ingman Room at UToledo Main Campus
- Free food, health screenings and haircuts
- Feb. 21, 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Quenched & Tempered Brewing Co., 1210 Jackson St.
- Book discussion, socializing and relaxing with a beverage
- Ages 21+ only
- Register online at this link
- Feb. 22, 6-8 p.m. at Jera's Heavenly Sweet, 3509 W. Bancroft St.
- Feb. 23, 3:30-5 p.m. at Mott Branch Library
- Step Dance class with music by Black History Month greats to close out the month
- Ages 18+
- Feb. 24, noon-4 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church, 5301 Nebraska Ave.
- Feb. 25, noon-4 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church
- Feb. 25, 5 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church
- Feb. 27, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Lagrange Branch Library
- Celebrating Black boyhood with activities and members of the local community
- Ages 6-17
- Feb. 27, 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Zoom
- Register at this link
- Ages 18+
- Feb. 27, 6 p.m. at Thompson Student Union Ingman Room, UToledo Main Campus
- Feb. 28, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Washington Branch Library
- Learn about Black History Month and Black Americans in a fun, safe space
- Ages 11-17
- Feb. 28, 7-8 p.m. on Zoom: Register at this link
- Ages 18+
- Feb. 29, 8 p.m. at Thompson Student Union Auditorium, UToledo Main Campus
- Browse the archives of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library's Local History and Genealogy Department
- February at Kent Branch Library and Sanger Branch Library galleries
BOWLING GREEN
- Feb. 6, 6-7:30 p.m. at BGSU Bowen-Thompson Student Union, Room 427
- Free food, prizes and more
- Feb. 9, 7-10:30 p.m. at BGSU Bowen-Thompson Student Union, Lenhart Grand Ballroom
- Free food, games and more
- Feb. 15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Bowen-Thompson Student Union, Lenhart Grand Ballroom at Bowling Green State University
- Morning and afternoon educational sessions, keynote address from Exonerated Five member Kevin D. Richardson and luncheon buffet
- Admission is free for BGSU students, or $15-30 for campus community and general public
- Registration is available at this link and closes Feb. 15
- Feb. 20, 3:30-7 p.m. at Bowen-Thompson Student Union, Skybank Room at BGSU
- Keynote speaker Kevin Hofmann, author of "Growing up Black in White" and special guest speaker Anthony Bouyer, box breathing workshop and eliminating barriers networking event
- Free and open to BGSU students, faculty, staff and community members
- Feb. 25, 6 p.m. at Bowen-Thompson Student Union at BGSU
- Attendees encouraged to embrace the masquerade theme
- Presale tickets available at Bowen-Thompson Student Union for $10
- $15 for tickets purchased at the door
MAUMEE
- Feb. 17, noon at The Pinnacle, 1772 Indian Wood Circle
- Honoring exemplary Black women in the community for their impactful work
- Tickets are $45
OREGON
- Feb. 3, 11:30 a.m.-noon at Oregon Branch Library, 3340 Dustin Rd.
SWANTON
- Feb. 17, 4-6 p.m. at Swanton High School, 601 N. Main St.
- Performances by the Swanton High School Jazz Band, Ellie Martin Quartet and more in support of the Mark Butler Performing Arts Scholarship
- Tickets are $10 and available at the Mark H. Butler Performing Arts Scholarship website at this link
WATERVILLE
- Feb. 6, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Waterville Branch Library, 800 Michigan Ave.
- Adults 18+
- Feb. 28, 2-3 p.m. at Waterville Branch Library
- Ages 11-17
MICHIGAN
TEMPERANCE
- Feb. 13, 7 p.m. at Bedford Branch Library, 8575 Jackman Rd.
- Free and open to the public with seating on a first-come, first-served basis
MONROE
- Feb. 24, 7 p.m. at Meyer Theater at Monroe County Community College La-Z-Boy Center
- Feb. 28 at 7 p.m., Meyer Theater at Monroe County Community College La-Z-Boy Center
- $5 admission
- A theatrical introduction to Black History icons, recommended for children Pre-K through 5th grade
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