Black History Month in Grand Rapids

History Comes Alive

Visit the Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives to explore a treasure trove of material honoring the lives, history, culture and art of local African Americans.

Stroll downtown to see bronze sculptures commemorating former Grand Rapids Mayor Lyman Parks, civil rights icon Rosa Parks and Helen Claytor, the first African American president of both the Grand Rapids YWCA and national YWCA.

Embark on a free, self-guided tour of significant local sites – download informational podcasts to accompany you on the Black History Tour of Downtown and the Grand Rapids Civil Rights Tour.

Engage Grand Rapids Running Tours for an African American History on the Grand experience – you’ll burn calories while you learn about the local African American population from 1826 to present.

Take a Black History Walking Tour of downtown Grand Rapids offered free as part of the World of Winter Festival. A tour guide will highlight significant African American people, places, events, issues, legends and facts. Feb. 4, 7, 20 & 21.

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum hosts two virtual programs:

• Slavery in the President’s Neighborhood: The Complicated Past and the Paradoxical Relationship Between Slavery and Freedom in the Nation's Capital, Feb 4
• A Terrible Thing to Waste: Arthur Fletcher and the Conundrum of the Black Republican, Feb. 11

You can also get a glimpse of the Ford exhibit, “The Continual Struggle: The American Freedom Movement and the Seeds of Change,” on video.

Rhythm in Black: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow – A Virtual Black History Month Celebration invites you to interact with speakers from the local community, enjoy performances from local artists and musicians, and be immersed in the Black experience. Feb. 5.

Online Black History for Children is a live, interactive presentation that takes families on a fascinating journey into Black history, led by two child superheroes. Feb. 6.

Learn, Take Action, Celebrate

Grand Valley State University presents a variety of discussions and events – all virtual and easy to attend from home:

• The Resilience of Black Americans, Feb. 2
• Better or Worse, Feb. 5
• Black Masculinity, Feb. 11
• Black Haus-Tion, Feb. 24

Grand Rapids Public Library hosts a diverse series of virtual events:

• History of African American Architects in the U.S. – 2-part series, Feb. 2 & 9
• Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses (GRABB), Feb. 3
• Local jazz singer Edye Evans Hyde in concert, Feb. 4
• Black History Month Storytimes, Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27
• A City Within a City – discussion of an upcoming film about the Black community in GR, Feb. 10
• Guitarist/singer/songwriter Tom Cutts in concert, Feb. 11
• Ebony Road Players present the stage play, “Anne and Emmett,” Feb. 16
• Community Spotlight: Black-owned business We Are Lit GR, Feb. 17
• Singer-songwriter Karisa Wilson in concert, Feb. 18
• Taste of Soul Sunday, Feb 21
• Community Spotlight: Black-owned business Luxe Artisan Preserves, Feb. 24
• Innovative cellist Jordan Hamilton in concert, Feb. 24

See Yourself in Art

ArtXchangeGR Presents Our Grand Celebration of LOVE.ART.History Exhibit, featuring artwork from Grand Rapids artists exploring  themes of love, Black culture and Black identity. A free event at Woodland Mall, Feb. 12-14.

The Black History Paint Night is a virtual class providing step-by-step instruction on creating a beautiful canvas painting that celebrates giants in Africa American history. Feb. 4 & 19.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum presents Windows GR, an exhibit of three large-scale plywood art pieces created by local artists of color in response to the death of George Floyd, police brutality and systemic racism.

The Exhibit: Virtual Black Artist Showcase gives you the opportunity to network virtually with Black artists, musicians and makers. The two-hour event also includes a virtual open-mic. Feb. 10.

Musical Expressions

Sounds of Blackness is an online soulful yoga class set to a curated set list of gospel, jazz and rhythm & blues from the African diaspora. Feb. 19.

St. Cecilia presents renowned jazz bassists Christian McBride and Edgar Meyer live in concert. The two will perform separately, then join together for a conversation. Feb. 25.

Fantastic Food & Drink

Treat yourself to some delectable delights at one (or more) of the area’s Black-owned restaurants.

Take a virtual cooking class – the Black History Month Dinner series from Seward Community Co-op offers online instruction in preparing:

• Fried Tilapia and Sautéed Cabbage, Feb. 7
• Stewed Okra & Tomatoes with Bacon, Feb. 21
• Vegetarian Jambalaya and Cornbread, Feb. 28

Treat yourself to a beer from Black Calder Brewing, Michigan’s first black-owned brewery, which has just started offering its creations through Broad Leaf Local Beer.