Black History Month: Art as a platform for social justice

Black History Month is a time to honor and reflect on the remarkable achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout American history. From its origins as “Negro History Week,” envisioned by Carter G. Woodson in 1926, this observance has blossomed into an annual celebration.

The theme for 2024 is “Art as a platform for social justice.” Each week in February has a theme with ways to get reconnected with the arts. Check out the themes and associated local events and information below.

Week 1, February 1-4: Literature and Poetry

• Writing | Remembering Black Food Traditions with Brittny Ray Crowell 
• Praisesong For the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from 5 Generations of Black country cooks with Crystal Wilkinson in conversation with Tayari Jones.  
• Poetry Forms Workshop with Mia Willis 
• Charis and the Georgia Center for the Book welcome Ijeoma Oluo in conversation with Oriaku Njoku for a discussion of Be a Revolution: How Everyday People Are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World.
• Black Women Taught Us: An intimate history of Black feminism with Dr. Jenn M. Jackson in conversation with Forrest Evans 
• Urban Poets
• Black Dot Cultural Center
• Urban Grind Poetry 

Week 2, February 5-11: Performing Arts 

•  DeKalb Library Movie Series
• African Folktales  

Week 3, February 12-18: Visual Arts

• Hear Me Now: The Black Potters of South Carolina  
• Say It Loud! Exhibit
• Family Art Day

Week 4, February 19-25: Music

• Resounds through Music
• Harmonic Heritage

Week 5, February 26-29: Digital Arts

• Zucot Virtual Gallery (scroll down, then click Enter)

Additional events outside of the themed weeks:
Black Dot Cultural Center Lecture Series, every Saturday in February
February 2 Black & Proud by Bright Ring Foundation and Atlantucky Brewery 
February 3 Freedom Songs Play
February 4 Dancing Through Black History 
February 10 Atlanta Black Expo
February 13: Tycoon Music Festival
February 15: Music from the Movement
February 20: Brave + Kind Bookshop presents Renée Watson, Black Girl You Are Atlas
February 29:  Greatness Abounds Music from the Movement
February 29: The Black Joy Project

Photo credit: National Museum of African American History and Culture. Check out their digital toolkit here.