February 2026 marks 100 years for the reason that first commemoration of Black historical past started by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, historian and founding father of the Affiliation for the Examine of African American Life and Historical past (ASALH). Beginning out as “Negro Historical past Week,” it turned Black Historical past Month in 1976 and has been an academic staple in faculties and establishments nationwide.
This yr’s Black Historical past Month theme will probably be “A Century of Black Historical past Commemorations,” celebrating and honoring Woodson and different influential leaders like George Cleveland Corridor, William B. Hartgrove Jr., Jesse E. Moorland, Alexander L. Jackson, and James E. Stamps, in keeping with the ASALH.
New York is stuffed with Black cultural and historic tales you may study by means of a collection of Black Historical past Month occasions going down all through February. The Amsterdam Information will probably be preserving you knowledgeable of them because the month progresses.
To kick off February, here’s a listing of 10 Black Historical past Month occasions occurring in New York.
2:00 p.m.
The Islamic Heart of Lengthy Island
Decrease-Stage Convention Rooms
835 Brush Hole Rd
Westbury, NY 11590
The Islamic Heart of Lengthy Island is having its twenty second Annual Black Historical past Month Celebration. Be a part of distinguished visitor audio system Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado of New York State; Dr. Reginald J. Alston, Dean of Well being Sciences at Hofstra College; Dr. Mufti Mohammad Farhan, Govt Director of the Islamic Heart of Lengthy Island; and different distinguished friends as they honor the previous and encourage the long run.
4:00 p.m. to five:00 p.m.
Queens Public Library at Lengthy Island Metropolis
37-44 twenty first St
Lengthy Island Metropolis, NY 11101
The Queens Public Library at Lengthy Island Metropolis is internet hosting a Black Historical past Month: Black Historical past And Weaving Bowls kids’s program, the place kids will probably be weaving selfmade bowls. This system is geared in the direction of kids ages six to eleven. Kids ages 5 and youthful have to be accompanied by a caregiver.
5 p.m. to eight:30 p.m.
The Schomburg Heart for Analysis in Black Tradition
The New York Public Library
515 Malcolm X Blvd
New York, NY 10037
Be a part of Jannah Helpful and Kiyanna Stewart, the founders of BLK MKT Classic, and Renata Cherlise, founding father of BlackArchives.co, in “Unboxing Legacies: Our Stuff, Our Tales,” a two-part showcase and dialogue occasion in regards to the preservation and sharing of Black historical past by means of on a regular basis objects and the way it intersects with reminiscence, archiving, and neighborhood storytelling. The occasion will begin with a Neighborhood Heirlooms & Histories Showcase, an interactive expertise of assorted heirlooms, displayed and considered by friends that honors the fabric tradition throughout the African Diaspora. Friends who’re occupied with bringing an heirloom for viewing can fill out a type. Half two would be the dialogue portion of the occasion, moderated by Kei Williams from Black Gotham Expertise. The occasion is free to the general public, however it’s first-come, first-served, and you will get tickets on Eventbrite.
7 p.m. to eight:30 p.m.
The Harlem Chamber Gamers
Aaron Davis Corridor
The Metropolis Faculty of New York
129 Convent Avenue
New York, NY 10027
In collaboration with The Leonard Davis Heart for the Performing Arts at Metropolis Faculty and in affiliation with The Harlem Faculty of the Arts, The Harlem Chamber Gamers is internet hosting a classical music live performance, “American Landscapes,” as a part of the 18th Annual Black Historical past Month Celebration. It options dwelling American composers to have fun their contributions to American classical music. The occasion is free to attend. RSVP is required on Eventbrite.
5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Brooklyn Museum
200 Jap Parkway
Brooklyn, NY 11238
For the primary of six “First Saturdays” program occasions of 2026, the Brooklyn Museum is internet hosting a “First Saturday: Imitate No One” in honor of Black Historical past Month. Named after the late Jayne Cortez’s “I imitate nobody,” from her poem “I Am New York Metropolis,” this program sheds gentle on the fearless innovators and artists who put custom and constructing neighborhood to the forefront of their art work. The exhibition, “Seydou Keïta: A Tactile Lens,” is the inspiration of this system, honoring the late Malian photographer. The following ticket drop is on Feb. 2, and free registration, obtainable on the Brooklyn Museum web site, is required, together with the Brooklyn Museum common admission payment.
Compiled by Tyra Watts
