Brooklyn celebrates Black History Month with events honoring culture and history
This February, Brooklyn is celebrating Black History Month with a dynamic lineup of events that highlight the borough’s deep-rooted connections to Black culture, history and achievements.
From the soulful sounds of live performances at local theaters to thought-provoking discussions on the borough’s role in the abolitionist movement, Brooklyn offers countless ways to engage and reflect. Creative workshops, historical exhibits and community gatherings invite residents and visitors alike to honor Black history while celebrating the rich cultural fabric that defines the borough.
Here are some Black History Month events happening this February in Brooklyn:
An Evening with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries
Where: Founders Auditorium, Medgar Evers College, 1650 Bedford Ave. in Crown Heights
When: Friday, Feb. 7, 6:30-8 p.m.
Cost: Free; registration required
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will speak during Black History Month on leadership, policy and Brooklyn’s future.
Black History Month: Nature Poetry
Where: Fort Greene Park
When: Saturday, Feb. 8, 1-2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Learn about Black history and take part in creating your own piece of art through poetry about nature.
Join Brooklyn Children’s Museum for a week of reflection and future-forward fun inspired by the national celebration of Black History Month and the African Diaspora.Photo by Winston Williams/Brooklyn Children’s MuseumBrooklyn and the Abolitionist Movement
Where: Brooklyn Bridge Park
When: Sunday, Feb. 9, 1-2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a walk discussing Brooklyn’s significant history to the abolitionist movement in the United States.
Farmhouse Family Day: Fabrics of the Diaspora
Where: Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum, 5816 Clarendon Road in East Flatbush
When: Saturday, Feb. 15, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: Free
This Black History Month, explore the rich history of Western Africa and the Diaspora through the intricate art of fabric. Discover creative resistance through Adire Eleko, a wax-resist dyeing technique practiced by the Egba People of Yorubaland, spanning Nigeria, Benin and Togo.
Black Future Festival
Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. in Crown Heights
When: Feb. 16-22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $15
Celebrate Black culture and innovation at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s Black Future Festival. This weeklong event features dance performances, storytelling sessions, and interactive workshops curated in partnership with Kendra J. Bostock and STooPS. Join the reflection and future-forward fun inspired by Black History Month and the African Diaspora.
Grab & Go Craft: Honoring Garrett Morgan, Inventor of the Traffic Light
Where: Leonard Library at Talea, 87 Richardson St. in Williamsburg
When: Tuesday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m.-3:45 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join the Brooklyn Public Library for a special craft in honor of Garrett Augustus Morgan, the pioneering African-American inventor who created the first three-position traffic signal — red, yellow and green — that now guides our busy streets.
A Celebration of West African Folktales
Where: DeKalb Library, 790 Bushwick Ave. at DeKalb Ave. in Bushwick
When: Sunday, Feb. 18, 3-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join the DeKalb Library for an engaging afternoon of storytelling, featuring West African folktales like “Anansi the Spider” and other beloved world tales, told by Nanine Grisar. Celebrate Black History Month through the rich oral traditions of the African diaspora.
Brooklyn District Attorney Celebrates Black History Month
Where: New York City College of Technology, 300 Jay St. in Downtown Brooklyn
When: Monday, Feb. 19, 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join the Brooklyn community for a special celebration of Black History Month hosted by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office. The event will honor local achievements and highlight the continued importance of justice and equity in the borough.
Brooklyn Talks: Bisa Butler and Barbara Bullard
Where: Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway
When: Tuesday, Feb. 20, 7-9 p.m.
Cost: $25 ($15 for Members)
Reflect on Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm’s enduring legacy in a conversation with artist Bisa Butler and cultural entrepreneur Barbara Bullard. Butler, known for her vibrant quilted portraits, and Bullard, president of the Shirley Chisholm Cultural Institute, will discuss Chisholm’s influence and impact. The program includes after-hours access to “Toward Joy: New Frameworks for American Art” and light refreshments for members before the event.
Black Month Silent Disco
Where: St. John’s Recreation Center, 1251 Prospect Place in Crown Heights
When: Saturday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Cost: Free
The event, featuring class formats such as Total Body Fitness, Zumba, and Dance Fitness, invites participants to join in on a dynamic and inclusive workout experience.
Celebrate the legacy of Garrett Morgan, inventor of the traffic light, with fun craft activities at Leonard Library.Wikimedia CommonsXavier Foley Key West Quintet Performance
Where: Brooklyn Music School Theater, 126 Saint Felix St. in Fort Greene
When: Saturday, Feb. 22, 6-7 p.m.
Cost: Check event website for details
Celebrate Black History Month with an evening of captivating live music at the Brooklyn Music School Theater. The Xavier Foley Key West Quintet will perform an eclectic blend of classical and contemporary music, honoring Black artistry and culture.
Drunk Black History: Museum of Food and Drink Edition
Where: Museum of Food and Drink, 55 Water St., Dumbo
When: Sunday, Feb. 25, 6 to 9 p.m.
Cost: $45
Join comedian Brandon Collins for a hilarious and booze-fueled exploration of Black culinary history at the Museum of Food and Drink. This special edition of Drunk Black History delves into the African diaspora’s rich food and drink culture, highlighting Black chefs, culinary traditions, and trailblazers in the world of spirits. The ticket includes access to “Flavor: The World to Your Brain,” two drink tickets and snacks.
Trace/s: Family History Research and the Legacy of Slavery in Brooklyn
Where: Center for Brooklyn History, 128 Pierrepont St. in Brooklyn Heights
When: Exhibit runs Jan. 30 to Aug. 30
Cost: Free
The exhibit explores Brooklyn’s historical ties to slavery, offering visitors the chance to engage with newly uncovered research and reflect on the borough’s complex past. Featuring rare 18th and 19th-century documents not often on display, the exhibition raises important questions about the legacy of slavery and its enduring impact.
