Black History Month

Essence Magazine once named Grand Rapids 1 of 6 Unexpected Destinations to Travel To That Are Full of Black History. Each February, we celebrate Black History Month with special programming that complements our year-round attractions and activities. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the ways African Americans have helped shape the past and present of Grand Rapids – and how African American culture is helping move the city forward in exciting new directions.

History Comes Alive

You can visit the Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives  (GRAAMA) during Black History Month and throughout the year to explore a treasure trove of material honoring the lives, history, culture and art of local African Americans. Special exhibits this month include African Artifacts, The Black Image in Advertising, Black Inventors & Inventions, and Boxing GR. On Feb. 28, GRAAMA hosts Remembering Idlewild, an interactive event featuring unique artifacts and first-hand accounts of Michigan’s historic “Black Eden.”

GRAAMA Executive Director George Bayard presents the GRAAMA-produced film Riot, Race, and Reconciliation: The 1967 Grand Rapids Uprising at Kentwood Library February 6. An exhibit keyed to the film will be on display at the library from Jan. 27 - Feb. 14.

Black History Live with Culture Queen is an immersive and engaging performance designed for children ages 6-13, aimed at helping them embrace their history and love themselves. At the Grand Rapids Library Main Branch Feb. 22.

Stroll downtown anytime to see bronze sculptures commemorating African American icons: former Grand Rapids Mayor Lyman Parks , civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks , Helen Claytor , the first African American president of both the Grand Rapids YWCA and national YWCA, and Loney Clinton Gordon, an African American chemist and laboratory researcher who was instrumental in the creation of the pertussis vaccine.

Embark on a free, self-guided tour of significant local sites – download an informational podcast to accompany you on the Black History Tour of Downtown .

You can also join a guided tour of local African American history as part of World of Winter, America’s largest winter festival. One-hour walking tours depart from Rosa Parks Circle on Feb. 12 and Feb. 26 at 6pm. No registration is required for these free tours – just show up (dressed warmly!).

While you’re downtown, check out “Raining Wisdom,” the 2023 ArtPrize public art prize winner. This massive mural by Guinea, Africa native Abdoulaye Conde is one of numerous murals by Black artists included in the self-guided mural tours of downtown’s central city and Heartside areas.

Education & Enlightenment

Bring kids age 5 and under to Black History Month Storytimes at various Grand Rapids Public Library branches:

• Main Library (111 Library St NE), Feb. 3
• West Leonard Branch (1017 Leonard NW), Feb. 3
• West Side Branch (713 Bridge NW), Feb. 4
• Madison Square Branch (1201 Madison SE), Feb. 4
• Seymour Branch (2350 Eastern SE), Feb. 5
• Van Belkum Branch (1563 Plainfield NE), Feb. 5
• Yankee Clipper Branch (2025 Leonard NE), Feb. 6
• Ottawa Hills (1150 Giddings SE), Feb. 7

Sports fans, take note: The Great Black Hope author Dr. Louis Moore presents Doug Williams, Vince Evans and the Making of the Black Quarterback at Cascade Library Feb. 13.

GRPL’s Main Library presents Tracing the Steps: African American Women During the Progressive Era in Grand Rapids, featuring Grand Rapids Community College academic librarian Sophia Brewer. Feb. 18.

GRABB & Go: Financially Fit & Focused for the New Year is designed to help small business owners and entrepreneurs set strong financial foundations and achieve their financial goals in 2025. Presented by Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses at Start Garden Feb. 18.

Roots of Resilience: Fostering Belonging and Cultivating Community on Campus is a presentation by visionary human resources leader Ovell Barbee at the Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs. Feb. 20.

Check out We Are LIT Multicultural Bookshop in downtown GR’s Arts Marketplace at Studio Park to discover Black-themed books for all ages and interests.

Take the self-guided Southtown Mural Tour to see how Black and Brown artists and businesses have teamed up to raise awareness about redlining and disinvestment in the city’s Southside neighborhood.

Illuminating Entertainment

Billy’s Lounge hosts its annual Bob Marley Birthday Bash saluting the Jamaican reggae legend Feb. 1.

Master tap artists headlines the All Black & Excellent: Soul in the City, a night of tap dance, Black history, arts and community that also serves as a fundraiser for Over The Top Dance Academy. Feb. 6

Learn and listen to traditional drums from African cultures at a family-friendly African Drumming presentation at Cascade Library Feb. 10.

Grand Rapids Symphony Presents Symphony with Soul, its annual Black History Month concert featuring this year’s special guest artist, GRAMMY Award-winning rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, record producer and entrepreneur T.I. Get tickets to the show or the Celebration of Soul Gala, which includes the concert as well as a special dinner honoring local individuals and organizations for their ongoing diversity efforts and accomplishments, and a post-concert after party. Feb. 15 at DeVos Performance Hall.

See Moonlight, the Academy Award-winning Best Picture about a young Black man growing up in Miami, at Wealthy Theatre Feb. 10 and Celebration Cinema GR North on Feb. 27. Wealthy Theatre also screens the legendary comedy showcase Richard Pryor: Live in Concert on Feb. 25.

Dig through the vinyl record collection at Della Soul Records, GR’s first Black, woman-owned record shop. Della Soul, which got a visit from Vice President Kamala Harris last February, also sells some really cool cultural gifts.

Food & Drink

Sample some delectable delights at one (or more) of the area’s 30+ Black-owned restaurants.

Give some new Black-owned establishments a try ­– MIZIZI by Street Chef Shaw, REV Road to Revitalize Luxury Juice Bar, Robinson’s Popcorn and a second location of The Candied Yam are among the businesses opened by local entrepreneurs in the past year.

Take a culinary journey through the heart of Africa via a unique cuisine, live music and storytelling experience at a Motherland Cooking Xperience community class in Caledonia Feb. 8. You can also book a private experience anytime.