CINCINNATI — February is Black History Month.
And while many local celebrations might not be happening in person this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, various organizations in Cincinnati are honoring Black history.
Here are nine events to participate in throughout the month:
Let’s Talk: You Have the Right to Remain Silent: 10 a.m. Saturday. Online Forum. Free. The Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra teamed up to offer this virtual discussion focused on examining the social realities tied to "You Have the Right to Remain Silent," a musical piece that derives its inspiration from the Miranda Rights warning. Christopher Miller, a senior director at the Freedom Center, sits down with composer, Anthony Davis and clarinetist, Anthony McGill to discuss the piece in which the clarinet soloist is interrogated by the orchestra. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Art Chat Live: Works by Thom Shaw: 11 a.m.-noon Saturday. Online. Free. Join the staff of the Cincinnati Art Museum as they host a virtual discussion of Thom Shaw, a Black artist known for his stark black and white woodcuts which graphically depicted the horrors of inner-city life. This event is virtual. For more information visit cincinnatiartmuseum.org.
Fathom Events celebrates Black History Month: Throughout February. Various movie cinema locations. Fathom Events celebrates Black History Month through a five-film series that explores the lives, historic accomplishments and award-winning filmmaking of some of the most influential Black entertainers in modern history. The series features the following films: "Woman in Motion: Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek and the Remaking of NASA," "Ray," "Get on Up, God’s Compass" and TCM Big Screen Classics: "Boyz n the Hood 30th Anniversary." For showtimes and more information visit www.fathomevents.com.
My Brother’s Keeper Ohio Virtual Leadership Series: 6 p.m. Feb. 11. Online. Free. The Cincinnati Museum Center is celebrating Black History Month by highlighting Black professionals in STEM fields. Online panels and discussions will inspire the next generation of STEM professionals in hopes of addressing the lack of diversity in science fields. The first panel discussion will take place on Feb. 11 followed by a second panel discussion on Feb. 25. For more information visit www.cincymuseum.org.
Next Generation Speaker Series with Brookings Institution’s Dr. Andre Perry: Noon-1 pm. Feb. 11. Online. Free with registration. The African American Chamber of Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky will host this free speaker series event with Dr. Andre Perry, who will discuss how investing in Black businesses expands the economy. For more information visit www.african-americanchamber.com.
"The Snowy Day" and other stories by Ezra Jack Keats: Weekends Feb. 12-28. Online. Free with registration. The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park has partnered with community centers throughout the region to present "The Snowy Day" and other stories by Ezra Jack Keats as part of the Playhouse’s virtual Off the Hill series. The professionally filmed theatrical performance will be available for streaming for free on weekends beginning Feb. 12. The script for the performance is based on several of Ezra Jack Keats’ award-winning picture books starting with "The Snowy Day" published in 1962 as the first illustrated children’s book to have a Black main character. Learn more about the performance by visiting www.cincyplay.com.
Soul Plates, Pass the Culture: 7:45-8:45 p.m. Wednesdays & noon-4 p.m. Saturdays all February. Virtual. $25. Soul Plates in partnership with the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center invites the community to go deeper into the diverse flavors and traditions and that define cultures, communities and individuals by reflecting on soul food and the connection to food as a form of resistance, an act of joy, an expression of love and identity. Virtual shared meals are held each Wednesday and Saturday in February. Information about meal pickup, preparation and topics to be discussed during each meal can be found at www.soulplates.org.
Prosperity Under Adversity: Black Cincinnatians before 1860: 1-2 p.m. Feb. 13. Online. Free. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History presents "Prosperity Under Adversity: Black Cincinnatians before 1860." This online panel discussion will feature speakers and topics such as "The Law and Black Cincinnatians" with Tyrone Yates, JD, Esq, Judge Hamilton County Municipal Court; "Commerce and Black Cincinnatians with Eric Kearney, JD, Esq. CEO and President Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce; and "Education and Black Cincinnatians" with Frances Henderson, PhD Associate Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies and African American and Africana Studies, University of Kentucky. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Queens of the Queen City: Cincinnati Stories of African American Women: 4 p.m. Feb. 21. Online. $7 general admission; free, Harriet Beecher Stowe House members. Hadley Drodge, assistant curator of the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, Ohio, will share the history of Black women in Cincinnati during this online-only event hosted by the Harriet Beecher Stowe House. Drodge will introduce audiences to poet and abolitionist Frances Watkins Harper, educator and suffragist Hallie Quinn Brown, author Lucretia Newman Coleman, and civil rights leader Marian Spencer. For more information visit www.stowehousecincy.org.
