Black History Month 2022 events






MSR celebrates Black History Month every day of the year and enjoys a vibrant heritage as one of the state’s oldest black businesses. Like last year, many of the events will be held online due to the ongoing pandemic. For on-site events, remember to check the venue’s COVID-19 protocols in advance.

Below we have highlighted some of the events. Share your events with us by sending them to [email protected] or uploading them to speaksman-recorder.com/events for free.


3 February

Erase: The movement to exclude black people from history

5:30pm-6:30pm @ Minnesota African American Heritage Museum & Gallery, 1256 Penn Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55411

Kick off Black History Month with this discussion with Dr. Yohuru Williams from the University of St. Thomas and Dr. Keith Mayes from the University of Minnesota. Discussion will focus on how to make American history more inclusive and the importance of teaching black history every day, not just in February. Moderated by Tina Burnside, co-founder and curator of MAAHMG. For free.

For more information, see maahmg.org


Film screening “How it feels to be free”.

7-8:30 p.m. @ Capri Theater, 2027 W. Broadway Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55411

Enjoy the stories of six African-American entertainers who paved the way and transformed American culture through their films, fashion, music and politics: Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson and Pam Grier. $5 fee via mspfilm.org; Free for those residing in ZIP Codes 55411, 55412, 55430

For more information, see www.mnhs.org/event/8976


Beverly Cottman aka “Auntie Beverly”

February 5th

Midtown Global Market Black History Month celebration

12-3 p.m. @Midtown Global Market at 920 E. Lake St., Minneapolis

The Midtown Global Market invites community members to celebrate Black history and culture through poetry, music, history classes and shopping from local Black vendors.

Vendors include New Start Fashions, Baked Brands Candles, representatives of the Black State Fair, Friends of the Global Market, Sista Scouts, Cultural Wellness Health Hub and featured artists Juan Parker and Simba Craftware from The Art Shoppe. DJ DIME will share her mixologist skills and passion for music as the presenter for the day.

At noon, Auntie Beverly Storyteller will delight attendees of all ages as she shares her love for oral history through a 30-minute Black History program with stories for all ages.

Also, Heart and Soul Drum Academy will perform and share their approach to building bridges between communities through the art of drumming. For free.

For more information, see midtownglobalmarket.org


February 7th

“The History of African Americans in Southeast Minnesota”

5:30pm-6:30pm @ Minnesota African American Heritage Museum & Gallery, 1256 Penn Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55411

MAAHMG History Fellow Mica Anders will speak about her research and exhibition that is on display at MAAHMG. For free.

For more information, see maahmg.org


Michael Kleber-Diggs

February 9th

Fireplace reading series: “Worldly Things” by Michael Kleber-Diggs

7-9 p.m. via Zoom

Curl up in the comfort of your own home for a reading by author Michael Kleber-Diggs, winner of the Max Ritvo Poetry Prize. Diggs’ “Worldly Things” offers guidance on the way forward—towards radical kindness and socially responsible poetics. “Let’s create folklore side by side,” he urges, urging us to strive for a form of caring tinged with tenderness, a kind of communion dedicated to mutual prosperity. For free.

Further information and registration can be found at bit.ly/FiresideDiggs


February 10th

Artificial Intelligence & The Black Experience

6-6:30pm @ Minnesota African American Heritage Museum & Gallery, 1256 Penn Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55411

AI expert Elizabeth Adams will discuss the opportunities artificial intelligence offers for the black community and how to address the challenges of privacy, digital inclusion and algorithmic bias. For free.

For more information, see maahmg.org


February 11th

Music and Stories: Understanding Historical Trauma through Lived Experiences

5:30-7:00 p.m. via Zoom

Enjoy an evening of musical performances and stories of lived experiences, culture, origins and history from four presenters. There will be an open dialogue to support students, faculty and staff to interpret and understand historical trauma, political, economic, social and racial oppression. The event will open and close with musical stories by jazz musicians Babatunde Lea and Navin Chettri. For free.

Further information and registration can be found at bit.ly/MetroBHM


February 12th

The black market

2-7 p.m. @ The Case Building, 767 N. Eustis St., St. Paul, 55114

Celebrate black history by supporting black business and do some Valentine’s Day shopping at this BIPOC business pop-up market.

For more information, see blackbusinessisbeautiful.org


February 17th

Artist Talk: Seagarrison in conversation with Seitu Jones

5:30pm-6:30pm @ Minnesota African American Heritage Museum & Gallery, 1256 Penn Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55411

MAAHMG Artist-in-Residence Seagarrison will speak about his exhibition Abstracproseality: Visual Notations from Dark to Light, which is on view at MAAHMG.

For more information, see maahmg.org


February 22nd

Detoxification of anti-blackness

3-4:30 p.m. via Zoom

This virtual event will feature speaker Marcellus Davis, Brooklyn Park’s first Racial Justice, Diversity and Inclusion Manager.

Info and registration at minnstate.zoom.us/j/92028884953


February 24th

Black Joy: Strategies for Improvement

5-7pm @ Minnesota African American Heritage Museum & Gallery, 1256 Penn Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55411

A Discussion with Marlee James, LPCC, Founder of Reviving Roots Therapy & Wellness; Clarence Jones, outreach director for Hue-MAN; Phillip McGraw, filmmaker and executive director of V-Fest; and Natalie Walters, life coach and presenter. Moderated by Tina Burnside.

For more information, see maahmg.org


Panel discussion on the documentary This Free North.

5 p.m. via Zoom

Stream the Emmy-winning documentary This Free North all month long at mcse.umn.edu. This short document traces the history of black people at the University of Minnesota and their connection to contemporary students. After watching the film, you can join a panel discussion to further explore the institution’s complex and ongoing history to create a more inclusive and equitable future. For free.

Further information and registration can be found at bit.ly/FreeNorthDiscussion


February 26th

Black History Month Critical Race Theory – Our Community and Christian Response

10am-2pm @ Golden Valley Lutheran Church, 5501 Glenwood Ave., Golden Valley, MN 55422

Enjoy a full array of activities beginning with keynote speaker Pastor Keith Haney at 10 am, a lunch (soup/sandwich/pie for $10); followed by a community forum on critical race theory with Sweet Potato Comfort Pie’s Rose McGee, Sen. Bobby Joe Champion and other community leaders.

Further information and registration can be found at https://bit.ly/BHCRT


The first annual Black History Month fashion show takes place on February 26th.

First Annual Black History Month Fashion Show at the Underground Music Venue

7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. @ Underground Music Venue, 408 N. 3rd Ave., Minneapolis, MN

This show was created by Producer Az’Jaya to create opportunity within the community and break the cycle of overlooking black art. It will recognize some of Minnesota’s best models, designers, artists and photographers. In addition to local artists, the show will also feature some out-of-state designers. $40-$55

For more information, bit.ly/1stBHMFashionShow


February 28th

Racial justice, civil rights and struggle against power

3-4:30 p.m. via Zoom

Nekima Levy Armstrong, civil rights attorney, freedom fighter and founder of the Racial Justice Network, will moderate this discussion, which will focus on continuing the fight for racial justice.

Further information and registration can be found at: minnstate.zoom.us/j/98710768656


Complete Black History Month with The Aeolians

VocalEssence Presents: The Aeolian

7-8:15 p.m. @ North Community High School, 1500 James Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55411

Originating from a historically black institution in Huntsville, Alabama, The Aeolians of Oakwood University were founded in 1946 by the late Dr. Eva B. Dykes organized. They have traveled widely and touched the hearts of young and old with their heart-rending performances.

They are authoritative interpreters of spirituals and work songs that express their ancestors’ longing for freedom. Please note: VocalEssence Singers Of This Age will open the concert. $30.

For more information, see bit.ly/VocalEssenceAeolians

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