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.
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 restaurants, there’s something for everyone!
Check out these ways to celebrate Black History Month in New York City here:
Black History Month at The Met
The Met is kicking off a month’s worth of Black History programming with all sorts of art and talks throughout February. Highlights include an afrofuturism period room exhibit, Teen Fridays with special programs and activities, themed story times, live performances, and so much more. Events are included with museum admission.
Where: The Met – 100 Fifth Avenue
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Black History Month at NYPL
The New York Public Library is celebrating BHM with plenty of free events all month long, including an evening with Victoria Christopher Murray, author of Harlem Rhapsody, a live performance by The Harlem Chamber Players, a women in jazz film discussion, and plenty more cool events. They’re all free and are happening across different NYPL venues like the Schomburg Center and Library for the Performing Arts to name a few.
Where: New York Public Library
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Changing the Face of Democracy: Shirley Chisholm at 100
The Museum of the City of New York recently debuted a brand new exhibit commemorating the life and legacy of groundbreaking New York politician Shirley Chisholm. The exhibit explores the politician’s impactful personal and professional career as a Black woman, shedding light on just some of her accomplishments like becoming the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first woman to run for president on a major party ticket. It’s chalk full of historical artifacts, art, photographs, and videos that portray a great character.
Where: Museum of the City of New York – 1220 Fifth Avenue
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Celebrating the Black Heroes of Football’s Biggest Game at The Paley Center
The Paley Center for Media just debuted a brand new pair of Super Bowl exhibits right ahead of the Big Game and BHM, and you can check it out all February long. The exhibit, titled Celebrating the Black Heroes of Football’s Biggest Game, showcases 20 Black athletes who helped propel their teams to Super Bowl glory. Several Super Bowl MVPs, Big Game athletes, coaches, and performers are on display…as well as tons of memorabilia like game-used footballs, jerseys, the player draft cards of Patrick Mahomes and Von Miller, and more.
Where: The Paley Center for Media – 25 W 52nd St
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Buy Black Market at Pier 57
Shop black-owned businesses in February at the one-day-only pop-up market happening at Pier 57 in collaboration with Blacklist NYC. The Buy Black Market will land in Chelsea on Saturday, February 15th, and New Yorkers will be able to shop a variety of local Black-owned artists, vendors, and makers. It’s happening from 1 – 6 pm and the market is free to browse!
Where: Pier 57
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Black Future Festival at Brooklyn Children’s Museum
From February 16th – 22nd, Brooklyn Museum will be hosting a week long celebration of the African Diaspora and Black History Month. Each day there will be workshops, dance performances, storytelling, and much more! The activities are in partnership with NYC dance local Kendra J. Bostock and Bed-Stuy based community group STooPS.
Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum – 145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn
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Harlem Fine Arts Show
Harlem Fine Arts Show is celebrating their 16th 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. Expect curated art talks, book signings, and many other exclusive events.
When: February 21st – 23rd
Where:Â The Glasshouse – 660 12th Ave
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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.
Louis Armstrong House Museum
The Louis Armstrong House Museum is a celebration of the legacy of famed Black musician Louis Armstrong. What was once his home with his wife Lucille is now a furnished museum, offering a peek into the life of the iconic jazz legend and his family. During February, they’ll be offering special BHM tours on Thursdays – Saturdays, highlighting his contributions to the Civil Rights era.
Where: 34-56 107th St, Queens
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The Rhythms & Movement of African American Culture Festival
Consisting of 5 days and 15 performances, Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation is hosting a festival celebrating the fusion of African music genres and dance forms. You can expect to see dances from Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Cuba, and beyond from 11 featured artist performers and 100 contributing artists.
Where:Â Abrons Art Center Playhouse Theater – 466 Grand St
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Black History Month at Museum of Food & Drink
MOFAD, a museum focused on educating about food and how it can save the world, is welcoming some BHM programming including a new street food exhibit called Pioneers to Innovators: Honoring Black History and Shaping the Future of Food Entrepreneurship. It opens up to the public on February 6th and will also feature a panel discussion about impactful contributions of Black culinary entrepreneurs.
Other fun events include a special visit and treats from Sip the Caribbean (the first Black person in America to receive a distilling license since prohibition) on February 13th as well as a hilarious Drunk Black History comedy show on February 25th.
Where:Â Museum of Food & Drink – 55 Water St 2nd Floor, Brooklyn
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Drunk Black History
Comedian Brandon Collins brings his highly hilarious podcast to life this Black History Month with a live show at Littlefield on February 28th. With special guests Charles McBee, Sarah Cooper, Bomani Jones, and Laneya Wiles, you’ll be laughing to a night of educational and witty BHM jokes served up by booze-filled comedians.
Where:Â Littlefield – 635 Sackett St, Brooklyn
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Brooklyn and the Abolitionist Movement Walk
The Urban Park Rangers will be hosting a Black History Month walk on February 9th from 1 – 2:30 pm, discussing Brooklyn’s significant history to the abolitionist movement in the United States. You’ll be able to pass by famous monuments and learn a bit of history along the way!
Where: Corner of Furman and Old Fulton Streets in Brooklyn Bridge Park
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Painting with Soul: Colors of Culture at Snug Harbor
Celebrate Black History Month at Snug Harbor in Staten Island with a free, one-day-only painting and trivia party in partnership with Staten Island Community Alliance. New Yorkers are invited to start up a self-guided paint project celebrating Black culture…and sticking around afterwards for a trivia session highlighting Black history. It’s happening on February 1st from 2 – 5 pm and it’s completely free!
Where: Building P at Snug Harbor
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A Union of Hope: 1869
For the first time ever, a Black family’s home is on display at the Tenement Museum in the Lower East Side. A Union of Hope: 1869 follows the story of Joseph and Rachel Moore, two Black New Yorkers who made their home in Lower Manhattan’s tenements in the 1860s and 1870s. This apartment exhibit dives into how the two migrated (Joseph from Belvidere, NJ and Rachel from Kingston, NY) to NYC and the community they built in their neighborhood and workplace along the way.
Where: Tenement Museum –
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Pioneers of American Cinema at Museum of Moving Image
Museum of Moving Image is hosting a Black History Month film series this month. Throughout February they will be screening four selections from Kino Lorber’s collection Pioneers of African American Cinema, which brings together digitally restored versions of films from the early 20th century that were categorized as “race films.”
The remastered films are from the 1940s and provide insight into the too-often unstudied and misunderstood chapter of American history for Blacks. The films will be screening throughout the month (Feb 1 – 23)
Where: Museum of Moving Image – 36-01 35th Ave., Queens (Bartos Screening Room)
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NY Laughs’ Black History Month Comedy Show
Non-profit organization NY Laughs is hosting a BHM stand-up comedy show this month, seeking to enrich lives, build community, and inspire audiences through the power of laughter. The lineup is set to be hosted by Roy Wood Jr and feature Marina Franklin, Erin Jackson, Kenice Mobley, and Keith Robinson. It’s happening on February 20th from 7:30 – 9 pm and it’s free!
Where: 6 River Terrace
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Shop the Kith x Brooklyn Museum Capsule at the museum
NYC-based brand Kith has teamed up with the Brooklyn Museum for a special clothing collection celebrating Black History Month! The two have introduced the Kith’s Artist Series capsule collection, featuring the artwork of Alvin Armstrong, Marcus Troy, and Penda Diakité, on cobranded Kith for the Brooklyn Museum clothing. 50% of the proceeds go directly to the artists.
The collection is available to shop at the Brooklyn Museum (no ticket required) throughout the month of February while supplies last.
Where: Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn)
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