Celebrate Black History Month in Lincoln Square

February is Black History Month, and many of Lincoln Square’s organizations are offering virtual events that celebrate the rich culture and history of the Black community. Check out some highlights below and mark your calendars early!

On Thursday, January 28, kick off Black History Month early with New-York History Society’s talk “Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All.” The event will be presented virtually on Zoom from 6:00pm – 7:00pm, and tickets cost $20 for non-members, $10 for members, and free for Chairman’s Council. Learn more here.

Throughout February, the Metropolitan Opera will be celebrating Black History Month through their nightly free opera streams. The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess kicks it off on Monday, February 1 at 7:30pm. Click here to view the entire line-up.

Looking for an event on Black History Month to share with your kids? Join New York Society for Ethical Culture for their Young Ethical Explorers – First Sunday Festival on “Black Inventors and Contributors” with Dr. Bentley Gibson on Sunday, February 7 from 11:00am – 12:30pm. To RSVP, contact Audrey at YoungEthicalExplorers@gmail.com.

The New York Public Library (NYPL) will be hosting a variety of virtual events on Black History Month throughout the month of February. Check out an Online Book Discussion on The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin on Thursday, February 11, Thursday February 18, and Thursday, February 25. Also on Thursday, February 11, join the library on a topical introduction to the library’s circulating collection on Black American History. Additionally, attend an Online Book Discussion on Conjure Women by Afia Atakora on Monday, February 22, as well as a discussion on African Americans in Pop Culture! Comics, Shows and More on Tuesday, February 23.

Join NYC Department of Parks and Recreation in celebrating Black History Month both in the parks and through their virtual events. Learn about the Black Experience in New York City and across the nation, and discover parks that honor the empowering life and legacy of Black history makers and culture shapers. Highlights include: “Rodney King” Screening followed by a Conversation with Rodger Guenveur Smith and Dr. Stephanie Leigh Batiste on Thursday, February 11, Brooklyn and the Underground Railroad on Saturday, February 20, and The Birthplace of Hip-Hop on Saturday, February 27. Click here to view all the events for the month.

Fordham University is hosting a virtual Black History Month Webinar on Black Lives and the American Political Landscape on Thursday, February 18 from 6:00pm – 7:30pm. The webinar is moderated by Laurie Lambert, an associate professor of African and African American Studies at Fordham. Click here to register.

On Friday, February 19 from 1:00pm - 2:00pm, join the American Folk Art Museum for a virtual reading and discussion celebrating Black History Month with Asmaa Walton, founder of the Black Art Library. Established one year ago as a digital project to mark Black History Month, the Black Art Library is an ever-expanding collection of anthologies, art books, exhibition catalogs, and monographs on Black visual art and artists. In the future, this project will travel to become a public-facing archive and research library. During this program, Asmaa will read aloud from Art From Her Heart, an illustrated biography of celebrated artist Clementine Hunter, and will discuss books from the library that address other self-taught artists from the museum’s collection. Asmaa has also curated a list of recommended readings, which she will share following the reading. Families and all ages welcome. Space is limited; advance registration is required. Register here.

And, Target (1863 Broadway between West 61st and West 62nd Streets) has announced Black Beyond Measure, part of their continued mission to honor Black communities every day of the year. For all of February, Target is highlighting products from Black creators and brands. Click here to check them out.

Photo credit: American Folk Art Museum