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.
Black Liberation: Dismantling Racism in Minnesota
This exhibition highlights Black-led movements and organizations, and Black leaders in Minnesota who fought for racial, social and economic justice from the 1800s to the 1960s. Learn about leaders in the abolition, labor, civil rights and Black power movements who championed the cause for Black self-determination and combated against racism through the creation of organizations, economic and political empowerment, and racial pride. On display February 1 – December 23, 2023
Community Quilt Project
The "Community Quilt Project" features 14 quilts that express themes of Black history, Black joy, love, family, racial justice, civil rights, Black liberation, gun violence & healing, and Juneteenth – freedom. There is also a quilt honoring Prince that was created during the painting of Minneapolis' newest Prince mural. The exhibit runs January 10 through July 1, 2023.
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."
Minneapolis Central Library
TESTIFY: Americana from Slavery to Today
Building on the success of the original exhibit in 2018, former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice and NFL Hall of Famer Alan Page and his daughter Georgi, the director of the Diane and Alan Page Collection, are again presenting their exhibit of Americana from slavery to today – with renewed calls to action.
Selections from the family’s extraordinary collection of African American art and artifacts will be on display at the Cargill Gallery accompanied by TESTIFY Tuesday workshops and mainstage programming designed to help bridge divides, deepen dialogue, and encourage action on justice. The gallery is on display on the skyway level o the Minneapolis Central Library until March 29, 2023.
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
Night Life: Nocturnal Worlds in African Art
“Night Life” presents 20 artworks from across Africa that address the various ways nighttime was, and in some cases still is, perceived and experienced. Offering warmth and privacy, sumptuously patterned blankets and basketry panels promote peaceful slumbers. Wooden masks, head rests, and figures support contact—through dreams—with spiritual companions and advisors. Memorial figures of deceased relations are reminders of their continued presence after death, when the sun sets on life itself. With the sounds of African nightlife in the background, these artworks speak to the richness and vitality of life after the sun goes down. On display through September 2023.
Fragments of Epic Memory
“Fragments of Epic Memory” invites visitors to experience the multiple ways of encountering the Caribbean and its diaspora, from the period following emancipation through today. The exhibition blends historical and contemporary narratives, presenting more than 100 photographs from the Art Gallery of Toronto’s Montgomery Collection of Caribbean Photographs alongside paintings, sculpture, and video works by modern and contemporary Caribbean artists. The juxtaposition shows how the region’s histories are constantly revisited and reimagined through artistic production. See this exhibit January 28 - July 9, 2023.
Weisman Museum
Addressing the violence of separation, the practice of keeping memories and the invasive effects of colonialism, "EBB/FLOW" contemplates the past, the present and possible futures in this large scale, ceramic-based installation. The individual works poetically contemplate the 1947 partition of India, the manual and psychological labor of enslaved and free African Americans and the changed environments and indigenous lifeways brought on by outside occupation and settlement. On display until October 29, 2023.
Local Black-Owned Businesses
Black-owned businesses need your support and Minneapolis is filled with plenty of opportunities to do so.
Events
February 2, 2023
7 - 10 pm
Open Book Performance Hall
As part of The Great Northern festival, join us for a special book launch event in celebration of author Erin Sharkey’s A Darker Wilderness (Milkweed Editions)—a vibrant collection of personal and lyric essays in conversation with archival objects of Black history and memory featuring a constellation of luminary writers. Featuring live readings from the book’s contributors Michael Kleber-Diggs, Katie Robinson, and Tia-Simone Gardner, and a conversation to follow. Preorder the book!
February 2, 2023
6 - 8 pm
Minneapolis College
This event is a free celebration featuring inspirational messages, smooth jazz and delicious food. Register before the event and learn more about the keynote speaker.
February 4, 2023
Noon - 11 pm
56 Brewing
Let's celebrate and have a good time at R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Makers Market & Music Fest on Saturday, February 4th - an exclusively Black-owned makers market & Black-fronted music event - highlighting Black-owned business, boosting the vibe & promoting Black joy in our local community!
February 4, 2023
8 - 9:30 pm
Crooners Supper Club
Join us to celebrate African American History month, featuring Bruce A. Henry! For decades, Bruce has presented The Evolution of African American Music (a 400-year story of African American music) in notable venues across America and in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Cuba. This show is an extension of that work and is a perfect way to celebrate African American History month. The show features an all-star line-up of music that will take you on a journey through African Music history – from West African Folk music to early American music, from Blues to Jazz, from soul to hip-hop.
February 9, 2023
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery
Join us for MAAHMG Black History Month Conversations. Our distinguished panel includes Kenya McKnight Ahad of Black Women's Wealth Alliance, Teto Wilson of Wilson's Image Barbers & Stylists, and Tameka Jones of Lip Esteem.
These business leaders will share best practices for starting and growing a business; discuss strategies for restoring and creating wealth in the Black community; talk about the challenges of economic inequality and divestment in Black communities; explore strategies for building generational wealth; and reflect on how Black businesses create healthy communities.
February 11, 2023
2 - 7 pm
The Lab (St. Paul)
Spend a fun day with us, in celebration of Black History & History in the Making! Tons of food, drinks, games, music, an art crawl, scavenger hunt, giveaways & so much more! The Black Market is a Family Friendly, space that brings together people from across a multitude of communities in Minnesota. We exist to assist in closing the wealth gap in our state. We make Buying Black fun & easy! Open monthly on the second Saturday of the month.
February 16, 2023
5:30 - 7 pm
MN African American Heritage Museum and Gallery
Dr. Yohuru Williams of the University of St. Thomas will present an engaging discussion that explores the Black Liberation Movement, its catalysts and leaders in Minnesota, connections between past events to the racial reckoning of 2020, and the goals, strategies and challenges for Black self-determination
February 18, 2023
5 - 9 pm
The Legacy Building
Discover authentic Black stories through an eye opening experience at Unseen Voices 4DaLuv. Immerse yourself in the art through a multi-sensory journey that explores the many different ways in which black people practice love, through the eyes of Black artists.
February 19, 2023
7 - 9 pm
St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church
Come for an evening of a joyful gathering of musicians, storytellers, filmmakers and neighborhood advocates as they dig deeper into the history of South Side and St. Joan of Arc.
February 25, 2023
Noon - 2 pm
MN State Capitol
This is the first fashion exhibition held at the MN State Capitol highlighting local Black fashion designers in the Twin Cities. View the works of local Black designers.
February 26, 2023
6 - 9 pm
214 S 4th St
The Annual Black History Month Fashion Show, is not your ordinary fashion show. This show advocates different type of African American artist and talent throughout Minnesota. During a month of appreciation and representation, we want to strongly represent strength and unity within the African American community. So, please join us again this year, for a night of high energy, beautiful people, and luxury designs. A night we promise you won’t forget!
February 26, 2023
9am-2pm
Stanley's Northeast Bar Room
Celebrate Black History Month with Craft & Crew! Have brunch at all Craft & Crew restaurants on February 26th. They will be donating 10% of brunch sales this day to The George Floyd Global Memorial. Also, $1 from each of our featured cocktails and mocktail all month long will be donated to The George Floyd Global Memorial. The George Floyd Global Memorial is our feature cause of choice this month - chosen by the staff.
City of Minneapolis Black History Month Events
Moving to Minnesota: The Migration and Immigration Experience
February 2, 2023
Noon - 1 pm
City of Minneapolis Public Service Building or Online
For Black Americans, the Great Migration was one of the largest movements of people in U.S. history. Approximately six million Black people moved from the American South to northern, midwestern and western states from roughly the 1910s to 1970s.
Embracing and Empowering our Youth
February 9, 2023
Noon - 1 pm
City of Minneapolis Public Service Building or Online
2023 History Makers at Home Award Ceremony
February 16, 2023
11 am - 1:30 pm
Capri Theater or Online
The Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights is honoring several Black community leaders as part of the History Makers at Home program – a profile series featuring inspirational leaders in a wide range of fields.
Rock Your Crown Past Present and Creative
February 23, 2023
Noon - 1 pm
City of Minneapolis Public Service Building or Online
I Am My Ancestors Wildest Dreams Expo
February 25, 2023
9 am - 11 pm
Minneapolis Convention Center
The event will feature free vending opportunities for small Black-owned businesses, celebrity guest speakers from around the country, music, poets, panel discussions, workshops and information pop-ups. The expo will also include the “Too Dope to Bully” experience, focusing on youth, ages 4-18.
