February is Black History Month! There are various events going on around Colorado in honor of Black History Month - find all the information you need below:
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Juanita Gray Community Service Awards and Blacks in Colorado Hall of Fame presentation
Saturday, Feb. 3
1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library
2401 Welton St. Denver
Wa Shonaji Quilt Guild 24th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, Feb. 3
10:30 a.m.
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library
2401 Welton St. Denver
“The Man Behind the Dream”
A show honoring the life of Bayard Rustin, the openly-gay activist who helped organize the March on Washington with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Featuring Mark Boykins as the narrator, Hazel Miller and her band and the Arvada High School Chorale
Saturday, Feb. 3
3 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Central Presbyterian Church
1660 Sherman St. Denver
Sunday, Feb. 11
Monfort Concert Hall, Union Colony Civic Center
701 10th Ave. Greeley
Tickets: $18.75 - $50
A History of Black Firefighters in the Denver Fire Department Exhibit
Feb. 1 – 28
Denver Firefighters Museum
1326 Tremont Pl. Denver
Learn about brave firefighters who carved out a career in what used to be a segregated profession.
Landscape Expressions: Artistic Renderings by Vincent W. Lewis
Feb. 1 – March 24
Reception on Feb. 10, 1 - 4 p.m.
Blair Caldwell African American Research Library
2401 Welton St. Denver
Lewis uses his art as a means of transitioning viewers into thought-provoking reflection to find rest for the soul. In addition to being an accomplished artist, Lewis is a minister and gifted puppeteer.
Center for Multicultural Excellence BW-LEAD Summit
Feb. 2 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
University of Denver, Daniels College of Business, Room 110
2101 S. University Blvd. Denver
BW-LEAD provides black female high school students with leadership, academic achievement and community involvement insights and encourages the development of their identities as black women. During the conference, participants engage in discussions and learn from peers, college students and community leaders. BW-LEAD also helps students prepare for educational success in high school, engage in college preparation activities and create pathways to higher education.
Juanita Gray Community Service Awards & Blacks in Colorado Hall of Fame Induction
Feb. 3 | 1:30 p.m.
Blair Caldwell African American Research Library
2401 Welton St. Denver
The Denver Public Library honors African-American men, women and youth who make outstanding contributions to the Denver metro area or who have accomplished a professional goal in their field.
Whittier Neighborhood Walking Tour with Black American West Museum
Feb. 3 | 2 p.m.
Ford-Warren Branch Library
2825 N. High St. Denver
Discover the rich history of the neighborhood surrounding the Ford-Warren Branch Library.
Sankofa Storytime
Feb. 8 | 5:30 p.m.
Pauline Robinson Branch Library
5575 E. 33rd Ave. Denver
The word Sankofa comes from the Akan people of Ghana and means “to go back and get it.” One of the Adinkra symbols for Sankofa depicts a mythical bird flying forward with its head turned backward. Sankofa Storytime brings the African-American tradition of storytelling to life and is a collaboration of local artists, authors, community organizations and local librarians.
Purnell Steen & Le Jazz Machine – Black History Celebration
Feb. 10 | 6:30 p.m.
Legendary pianist Purnell Steen leads his band in a series of songs created by African American composers. Show for all ages.
1512 Curtis St. ~ Denver
(303)839-5100
Tickets: $10-$20
The Pillars of African-American Art Song: Compositions of Strength, Love and Justice
Feb. 10 | 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Blair Caldwell African American Research Library
2401 Welton St. Denver
Denver Art Song Project presents a performance of African-American art songs by soprano Stephanie Ann Ball and baritone Dr. Paul Griggs. The evening will feature some of history's most influential African-American composers and the texts of America's most prominent African-American wordsmiths.
47th Annual Gospel Music Festival and Academy Awards Celebration
Feb. 11 | 2 p.m.
The celebration features special guests Ms. Anita Wilson, Grammy-nominated singer, and Mrs. Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe, daughter of the late South African Bishop Desmond Tutu.
New Hope Baptist Church
3701 Colorado Blvd. ~ Denver
Free admission
**There will also be two free music workshops on Saturday, February 10th (Children's workshop 10 AM - 12PM and the Adult's Workshop from 4-7 PM at New Hope Baptist Church)
Black History Month Then and Now
Feb. 17 & 24 | 2 - 4 p.m.
Youth of all ages are invited to come learn about African American inventors and achievers, history, slavery and civil rights. There will be a contest in arts, music, speeches and poetry for kids age 7-12. Prizes awarded (entry fee: $5).
Eloise May Library
1471 S. Parker Rd. ~ Denver
Info: Contact Issues of Life Church Ministries at iolcmaurora@gmail.com
“Project 75 The Mile High Medical Society ” and “Lost Boundaries” Film Showings
Feb. 17 | 6 p.m.
Black American West Museum and Heritage Center
3901 California St. Denver
“Project 75,” an inspiring documentary film released in 1992 by Davon Johnson, celebrates early African-American doctors in Denver. The National Medical Association had a goal to increase by 12 percent the number of blacks and people of color certified as doctors by 1975, the year of the NMA’s 75th anniversary. Also featured is a bonus showing of “Lost Boundaries,” a 1949 film that explores social ills in America.
Reflections on the Life of a Colorado Climate Scientist – Warren Washington
Feb. 19 | 1 - 2 p.m.
History Colorado Center
1200 N. Broadway Denver
Warren Washington grew up in a racially charged era, but his parents urged him to pursue passions in art and science. He settled in the world of science and joined the National Center for Atmospheric Research in 1963, working with colleagues to build one of the first generation computer models of the Earth’s climate. Join this National Medal of Science honoree for a look at the hidden stories of a remarkable career and unexpected journey into the politically charged field of climate science.
Medicines of the African American Captive 2: The Tree Whisperers
Feb. 21 | 6 p.m.
Green Valley Ranch Branch Library
4856 Andes Ct. Denver
Feb. 26 | 6 p.m.
Blair Caldwell African American Research Library
2401 Welton St. Denver
African-American slaves were forced to endure the harshest of conditions without many resources. How did they survive? Slave communities had people within them with knowledge of the medical and spiritual healing powers of plants. In part two, herbalist Monticue Connally focuses primarily on the medicinal connections between African captives and the trees around them.
Free Screening "Marshall"
Feb. 24 | 12 p.m.
People’s Presbyterian Church
2780 York Street, Denver
A young Thurgood Marshall defends a black man from sex assault and attempted murder charges.
R.A.D.A. ~ Read. Awareness. Dialogue. Action. ~ Book Discussion
Feb. 25 | 3 p.m.
Sam Gary Branch Library
2961 Roslyn St. Denver
Participants are encouraged to read the book “White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide” by Carol Anderson in advance.
Denver's Own Saint – Julia Greeley
Feb. 26 | 1-2 p.m.
History Colorado Center
1200 N. Broadway Denver
A freed slave, devout Christian and selfless giver, Julia Greeley had an enormous impact on early Denver. Greeley came to Colorado in 1878-79 as a servant to Gov. William Gilpin. She would eventually spend almost every day at the Sacred Heart parish on Larimer Street. Join Father Blaine Burkey, author of “In Secret Service of the Sacred Heart,” as he highlights Greeley’s influence, triumphs and life.
Keeping it Real: Beyond Polite Conversation
Feb. 28 | 7:30 p.m.
Ross-Cherry Creek Branch Library
305 Milwaukee St. Denver
Join Dr. Gregory Diggs for a conversation about how we can move beyond superficial conversations and get down to the nitty-gritty of talking about race in America.