Celebrate Black History Month in Minneapolis
Black History Month is a time to reflect on the past, present and future of the Black experience throughout history. In Minneapolis we have many different ways to celebrate and learn about Black culture all month long. From special virtual events and discussions to musical performances, museum exhibits and more, here are some ideas for things to do during Black History Month.
Museums/Exhibits
Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery
This museum is dedicated to celebrating the history of African Americans by giving visitors a look at the achievements, contributions and experiences of Black people throughout the history of Minnesota.
Early African Americans of Southeast Minnesota
Created by MAAHMG History Fellow Mica Anders, this exhibit runs February 1 – July 31, 2022. "It is an opportunity to rewrite early African Americans into the history of Southeast Minnesota. It serves as a starting point to bring their stories and their contributions to the region to light,” said Anders who is a professional genealogist, researcher, oral historian and visual artist.
to have never known
An exhibit by Kehayr Brown-Ransaw that presents quilts based on research about the trans-Atlantic slave trade that revealed the names of 43,191 children abducted and illegally sold into slavery from 1807-1870. Quilts are made by Brown-Ransaw, an interdisciplinary artist, educator, and curator based in Minneapolis.
Unbreakable
Celebrate the resilience of African Americans in Minnesota with this exhibit which explores African American early settlers and pioneers in the 1800s. Here you can learn about the struggles and successes of African Americans who moved to Minnesota from the South during the "Great Migration."
Abstracproseality: Visual Notations from Dark to Light
An exhibit of acrylic paintings and mixed media that documents various aspects of the African American existence and experience in america. Created by seangarrison, the paintings and prose reflect pain, anger, joy and love with the intent to both agitate and allow us to breathe from the “heaviness” of it all.
Somali Museum of Minnesota
The Somali Museum of Minnesota celebrates the traditions and heritage of the Somali people in a collection of more than 700 pieces of craftwork, paintings and sculptures, ranging from nomadic objects and a model nomad’s hut to contemporary art. This space gives young Somalis who have grown up in the United States a way to connect with their culture, as well as Minnesotans of other ethnic heritage to encounter Somali art and traditional culture for the first time.
The Dirios Exhibit
Showcasing many works from collector and preserver of Somali ethnography, Dr. Mohamud (Dirios) Mohamed's. The exhibit will feature his personal collections and artifacts from Somalia & the Somali Culture and Research Center.
Mia Exhibits/Galleries
An audio-visual experience, Rituals of Resilience is co-curated by the Twin Cities-based musician and community organizer Chaka Mkali (aka I Self Devine). It explore themes of identity, culture, spirituality, and power through the embodiment of Black lived experience and creates dialog between works by Black visual artists from the United States, Africa, and the greater African Diaspora and new music created for the exhibition by Mkali and his collaborators.
Racism as a Public Health Crisis: Youth and Professional Artists Respond
See works created by high school students in Minneapolis and St. Paul that address the racism in their lives and on the health of their families, communities, and beyond. This exhibit runs until February 6, 2022.
Events
Artificial Intelligence & The Black Experience: A Conversation with Elizabeth M. Adams
Presented by: Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery
When: February 10, 2022 (Online)
As consumers of technology, we embrace new technology to help make our lives more efficient, safe, stable, and fun. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has opened opportunities where technology connects us with friends, colleagues, and family across the globe. While technology helps us navigate our busy lives, some AI systems cause harm to people, communities, and vulnerable populations. We'll discuss opportunities AI is presenting the Black Community and how we can address current challenges associated with data privacy, digital inclusion, and algorithmic bias.
Black History Month Trivia
Presented by: Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative
When: February 15, 2022
Test your knowledge during FREE Black History Month Trivia at 7pm! Prizes will be given to 1st & 2nd place!
Black Herstory
When: February 16, 2022
Where: Sisyphus Brewing
Come take space and celebrate Black History Month. Grab a beer and support a local brewery. Listen to some amazing people share their spokenword, song, stories and spokenwords. Hosted by Da Black Pearll, Featuring Shauna Brown, Kristin Free, and Jessica Winnie. Doors Open at 7pm Open Mic too.
Artist Talk With seangarrison
Presented by: Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery
When: February 17, 2022 (Online)
seangarrison talks about his new exhibit "Abstracproseality: Visual Notations from Dark to Light" which is a collection of acrylic paintings and mixed media that document various aspects of the African American existence and experience in america.
Black History Month Brunch
Presented by: Craft & Crew
When: February 19. 2022
Visit any Craft & Crew location to celebrate, each location will have a different food and drink feature! - coming soon! Black Lives Matter is their feature cause of choice this month - picked by their staff. They'll be donating 10% of brunch sales to BLM this day! You can also donate to BLM by ordering takeout on the website and before check up make sure to click the "round up feature" to donate!
Black Joy: Strategies for Improving Mental and Physical Health
Presented by: Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery
When: February 24, 2022 (Online)
What is Black joy? How do we create and maintain a healthy lifestyle in these challenging times. Our expert panel will discuss some tips and practices including mental health therapy, community health care resources, holistic approaches, healthy eating, life coach lessons and self-care. Join us as we seek to put more joy in our lives.
Root to Rise
Presented by: 612 Jungle
When: February 25, 2022, 6:00pm-8:30pm
Join LuLuLemon Ambassadors Kam + Gabrielle for a special evening, intentionally curated for people of color, honoring Black History Month. This event is free of charge and sponsored by LuLuLemon. Registration for this event is intentional as only 15 participants will be selected
by Kam + Gabrielle to partake in this special evening.
ROOT | All things start from somewhere. We spend time with an intentional conversation getting to the root of some issues within the black community.
VISION | We spend time creating a vision of where we want to be, taking into consideration our roots, our experiences, and our dreams.
RISE | We are intentional with where we want to be. Community led conversation, sharing of visions, and connections will take place.
Throughout the event we will enjoy Nourishment from 2 of our Black Owned Businesses.
First Annual Black History Month Fashion Show
Where: Underground Music Venue
When: February 26, 2022
Az'Jaya (our producer) created this show to build opportunity within the community and break the cycle of our art being overlooked. This show will acknowledge some of the top models, designers, artist, and photographers in Minnesota. Along with our local artist, we will have some out-of-state designers' as well.
Local Black-Owned Businesses
Black-owned businesses need your support and Minneapolis is filled with plenty of opportunities to do so.
