It’s a time to celebrate the instrumental role and incredible achievements of African Americans throughout U.S. history — which are often undervalued and overlooked — as well as acknowledge and help work to overcome the issues and inequalities still plaguing the Black community today.
As former President Barack Obama has said, Black history is inextricability tied to American history itself, with countless individuals changing this country for the better.
As we celebrate Black History Month, it’s important to remember that we shouldn’t treat this month as though it is somehow separate from our collective American history. Black history is American history.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 3, 2022
NYC is commemorating the month with a number of special events and exhibits, from special concerts to film screenings to pop-up exhibitions. Whether you want to learn more about Black figures in history, honor Black talent and artists, or support local Black-owned businesses and creators, there’s something for everyone!
Check out these ways to celebrate Black History Month in New York City here:
1. TRNK x GOOD BLACK ART DEBUTS “MOLDED” | A Group Exhibition Celebrating Black Culture
Tariq Dixon, founder of design studio TRNK, & Phillip Collins, curator and founder of Good Black Art, will debut MOLDED, a group exhibition to celebrate the contributions made through Black artistry, this Black History Month. Running through the end of February at the TRNK Showroom in TriBeCa, a number of artists will showcase who they are through their use of unique materials and shed light on the craft techniques practiced by Black people including ceramics and assemblage to painting directly onto textiles.
When: Thursday February 2nd – end of February
Where: TRNK – 18 Jay St.
Tickets: Not required
2. Support the NAACP at Next Level Burger
Eat for a cause! In honor of Black History Month, Next Level Burger is donating 5% of their sales every Friday in February to the NAACP, who works to disrupt inequality, dismantle racism, and accelerate change in key areas including criminal justice, health care, education, climate, and the economy. Enjoy delicious plant-based burgers, chik’n, fries, and shakes.
When: Friday, February 3, 10, 17, & 24
Where: 292 Ashland Place
3. Brooklyn Museum First Saturdays
Ring in Black History Month with Brooklyn Museum’s First Saturdays! This month’s theme honors the legacy of Black artistic production in Brooklyn. The evening’s events celebrate the creative excellence of Black artists who are shaping the borough’s culture today and of throwback performers who put First Saturdays on the map.
When: Saturday, February 4
Where: Brooklyn Museum – 200 Eastern Parkway
Tickets: Event is free, but advance registration is required. Register here.
4. Indulge in a special Black History Month-inspired meal at The Musket Room
Musket Room Executive Pastry Chef Camari Mick is hosting a community dinner highlighting one of her good friends, the talented Chef Brittney Williams aka ’Stikxz’. Williams created the menu while Mick will provide the dessert, encompassing a Jamaican family-style menu. Expect dishes such as Smoked Jollof with pickled red onion, Pearled Cous Butternut Squash, and Plantain Sticky Toffee for dessert.
When: Sunday, February 5, 5p.m.
Where: 265 Elizabeth St.
Tickets: Purchase tickets here
5. Enduring Botanical Legacy of the African Diaspora at NYBG
For Black History Month The New York Botanical Garden is celebrating the African American experience through plants, honoring barrier-breaking pioneers in environmental science and agricultural education as well as contemporary activists and advocates. Thought-provoking conversations and personal stories will take place both online and at the garden, allowing visitors to explore the enduring botanical legacy of the African Diaspora. Find the full event calendar here.
When: Now–Tuesday, February 28
Where: NYBG – 2900 Southern Blvd.
6. Crafting Freedom: The Life and Legacy of Free Black Potter Thomas W. Commeraw at the New-York Historical Society
The first exhibition to bring overdue attention to a skilled craftsman whose racial identity was long overlooked, Crafting Freedom explores Thomas W. Commeraw’s multi-faceted history—as a craftsman, business owner, family man, and citizen. The exhibit presents more than 20 stoneware jars and jugs produced by Commeraw’s pottery between the late 1790s and 1819. It’s on display now through Sunday, May 28.
When: Now–Sunday, May 28
Where: 170 Central Park West
Tickets: Purchase tickets here
7. A Salute to Black Achievements in Music on Television at the Paley Center for Media
With a special spotlight on the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop, this exhibit from February 1-26 celebrates the intersection of legendary musical icons and unforgettable TV moments that have shaped our culture. You can watch a curated selection of screenings including Seven Lively Arts: The Sound of Jazz and Chuck Berry: Brown Eyed Handsome Man, and check out tons of original costume displays and artifacts.
When: Wednesday, February 1–Sunday, February 26
Where: 25 West 52 St., between 5th and 6th Avenues
Tickets: Purchase tickets here
8. Art is Dead exhibition with Carlton Fine Arts
This Black History Month, Carlton Fine Arts will present the Art is Dead exhibition featuring new works by visual artist and technologist Vincent Peters known as ÆTHELSTAN, featuring 18 acrylic and oil pastel paintings with highlights including Life & Country, The Artist, Farenheit, Libertad, Samo Samo Stewart, Pananoia and Libertad Burning. On a date to be determined, Ice-T, who owns the first work from the series, will unveil his portrait in ÆTHELSTAN’s new series spotlighting African Americans who have inspired and influenced his career.
When: Wednesday, February 1–Tuesday, February 28, Opening event with Ice-T TBD
Where: 543 Madison Ave.
9. Free weekly lectures at the African Burial Ground
Every Saturday this month, the national monument and education center at will host free weekly lectures for Black History Month. The series will feature a lineup of speakers, historians, and craft projects, beginning with a presentation from Tom Goldscheider on the Black abolitionists of the Underground Railroad on February 4. Check their calendar of events here.
When: Every Saturday throughout February, beginning Saturday, February 4
Where: 290 Broadway
10. Will Liverman in Concert
Celebrate the work of renowned Black composers as operatic baritone Will Liverman returns to Lincoln Center for Black History Month after “a breakthrough performance” in The Metropolitan Opera’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones. Alongside pianist Paul Sánchez and with a special performance by Lady Jess on violin, Liverman will perform select songs from his Grammy-nominated album Dreams of a New Day, showcasing the work of renowned Black composers across generations.
When: Wednesday, February 15, 7:30p.m.
Where: Starr Theater, Alice Tully Hall – 1941 Broadway at W 65th St.
Tickets: Purchase tickets here
11. The Storytellers: Preserving the Legacy of Iconic Black Musicians
The Paley Center for Media is hosting a panel which will feature some of the storytellers who have helped preserve the legacy of Black musical icons, including Michael Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong. The event will discuss the storytellers’ motivations, creative journeys and video excerpts of their work, with panelists.
When: Thursday, February 16, 7p.m.
Where: Paley Museum – 25 West 52 St.
Tickets: Purchase tickets here
12. AFROPUNK + Lincoln Center – Black HERstory Live
Celebrate Black History Month at Black HERstory Live, the largest collaboration between AFROPUNK and Lincoln Center to date! This 2-day festival at David Geffen Hall and Alice Tully Hall puts the spotlight on Black women throughout history and features Black women artists from around the world.
When: Friday, February 24–Saturday, February 25
Where: Alice Tully Hall & David Geffen Hall
Tickets: Purchase tickets here
13. Support Black artists at the largest traveling Black artist art show
Harlem Fine Arts Show is celebrating their 15th year of being the largest traveling arts show featuring Artists from the African Diaspora. The show will feature up to 100 artists of African, Caribbean, and Black descent over a monumental three-day cultural experience and festival.
When: Friday, February 24–Sunday, February 26
Where: The Glasshouse – 660 12th Ave.
Tickets: Purchase tickets here
14. Candlelight: Celebrating Black America – Jazz, Soul, and Blues
This special evening champions the history of Black American jazz, soul, and blues under the gentle glow of candlelight. Enjoy masterpieces from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Duke Ellington & John Coltrane, and Ray Charles. The interior of Brooklyn’s The Opera House will be completely aglow flickering candlelight throughout the event, with food and beverages available for purchase.
When: Saturday, February 25
Where: The Opera House – 288 Berry St., Brooklyn
Tickets: Purchase tickets here
15. Demarcus McGaughey’s “Kindred” A Black History Month Art Exhibit
Demarcus McGaughey presents “Kindred” a Black History Month solo art exhibit at Sweet Lorraine Gallery at Ti Art Studios. “Kindred” is mixed-media artist Demarcus McGaughey’s most intimate and revealing series of work yet, comprising of a multitude of timeless reminders of family moments.
When: Saturday, February 25–Sunday, February 26 / Opening Reception: February 4, 6p.m. – 9p.m. and Artist Talk: February 19, 2p.m. – 3:30p.m.
Where: Sweet Lorraine Gallery – 183 Lorraine St.
Tickets: RSVP here
16. Black History Month Film Festival at Museum of Moving Image
Museum of Moving Image is hosting a Black History Month film festival this month. Starting with Program 1, which will feature Black Mothers in Film, and moving onto Program 2 the next day, featuring The Afrikan Poetry Theatre’s Film Showcase. Learn more about these programs here.
When: Program 1 – Saturday, February 25, 3p.m. / Program 2 – Sunday, February 26, 2p.m.
Where: Museum of Moving Image – 36-01 35th Ave., Queens (Bartos Screening Room)
Tickets: Program 1 – Purchase tickets here / Program 2 – Free with RSVP
17. Experience NYC’s adorable Pixar ‘Soul’ exhibit
“The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure” first appeared at Walt Disney World itself (in the EPCOT park), and has since made its way to the The National Jazz Museum in Harlem! The jazz-inspired exhibit allows visitors to follow Joe Gardner, the musician & mentor from Disney and Pixar’s “Soul,” on a tour of jazz’s surprising history. Read more about it here.
When: Now–February (closing date has not yet been decided)
Where: The National Jazz Museum in Harlem – 58 W 129th St Ground Floor, 2203
Tickets: Not required
18. Discover new sounds & celebrate emerging Black talent at Elsewhere
Black History Month reminds us all to pause & honor Black art, culture, and community. Because of this, Brooklyn indie music venue Elsewhere’s priority is to uplift these artists and their contributions to the live music industry by showcasing Black talent. From dance music with Bronx-born Swami Sound to bold rap beats by cupcakKe, there are so many shows to choose from. Check out their full event calendar here.
19. Black History Month at The Met
The Met is hosting a slew of events for Black History Month, celebrating the rich culture and history of African Americans through art, talks, digital content, and more. Highlights include the exhibit Before Yesterday We Could Fly: An Afrofuturist Period Room and Teen Fridays where teens ages 15–18 are invited to enjoy special programs and activities to mark Black History Month. See the full event schedule here.
When: Ongoing
20. Enjoy a meal at Black-owned restaurants throughout the five boroughs
It’s always a good time to support your local Black-owned businesses, but if you needed a reminder, let this month serve as that! Check out our list of 85 Black-owned restaurants & bars across NYC.
21. Shop at NYC’s Black-owned businesses
After grabbing a meal at a Black-owned restaurant, why not show your love to all of NYC’s amazing Black-owned businesses? From clothing to housewares to books, you’ll find anything you’re looking for at these shops.