#Here Are 9 Ways to Celebrate Black History Month in 2023 | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

ausetkmt · 1 year

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February is Black History Month, a time dedicated to honoring and celebrating the essential contributions of Black people in the story of America. National and local events and online celebrations will take place throughout the month to focus attention on Black people's achievements and history.

Since 1976, the US has marked the contributions of Black people and celebrated the history and culture of the Black experience in America every February. Read on to learn more about Black History Month and the ways in which you can participate.

The story of Black History Month

Born as a sharecropper in 1875, Carter G. Woodson went on to become a teacher and the second African American to earn a doctorate from Harvard. He founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History in 1915 and eventually became known as the "father of Black history."

On Feb. 7, 1926, Woodson announced the creation of "Negro History Week" to encourage and expand the teaching of Black history in schools. He selected February because the month marks the birthday of the two most famous abolitionists of the time -- Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Feb. 1 is also National Freedom Day, a celebration of the ratification of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the US.

By the 1940s, schools in Woodson's home state of West Virginia had begun expanding the celebration to a month, and by the 1960s, demands for proper Black history education spread across the country. Kent State's Black United Students proposed the idea of a Black History month in 1969 and celebrated the first event in February 1970. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976 during the US bicentennial.

The excellent history site BlackPast has a full biography of Carter Woodson and the origins of Black History Month.

Visit a Black or African American history museum

Almost every state in the US has a Black history museum or African American heritage site. The country's first and oldest is the Hampton University Museum in Hampton, Virginia. Like many other museums, it offers a virtual tour and online exhibits.

One of the most famous of these museums is the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. The museum, which is located steps away from where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, allows you to sit with Rosa Parks on the bus that inspired the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955, among many other powerful exhibits.

African-American heritage sites include historic parks and other significant locations and monuments in Black history. Some of the most popular include Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas, the epicenter of US school desegregation. You could also consider visiting the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta.

If there's no museum or heritage site near you, keep an eye out for the Black History Mobile Museum, which traverses the country all month and through the summer. Throughout February you can find the mobile museum in several states, starting in New Jersey on Feb. 1 and making its way through 12 other states. See the full list of 2023 tour dates here.

Learn about Black music history by listening online

Marley Marl and Mr. Magic were superstar rap DJs for WBLS FM in the 1980s. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

From spirituals and blues to the rise of jazz, R&B and hip hop, Black music has been entwined with American culture for centuries.

There are lots of ways to learn about and experience the power of Black American music online. One of the most extensive and free resources is the Black Music History Library, created by Jenzia Burgos. The compendium includes an array of Black music sources, with links to music samples, full recordings and interviews, as well as books and articles.

Another remarkable Black music website is the #312 Soul project. Originally launched as a month-long series on Chicago's Black music from 1955 to 1990, the site publishes original stories from Chicago residents about their personal experiences creating and enjoying Black music.

For snapshots of Black music between 1982 and 1999, check out the Hip Hop Radio Archive, a collection of radio show recordings from commercial, college and independent hip-hop stations. Of particular note are classic radio shows from New York City's WBLS, featuring Rap Attack with Marley Marl and Mr. Magic.

Online streaming music services also curate collections for Black History Month -- Spotify has an extensive collection of Black music in its Black History is Now collection. Tidal and Amazon Music also include special Black music collections on their services.

Support Black-owned businesses and restaurants

Becoming a customer of local Black businesses helps protect livelihoods and supports Black entrepreneurs.

If you aren't sure which businesses in your area are owned and operated by your Black neighbors, several resources can help. Start off by learning how to find Black-owned restaurants where you live.

Several directories have now been created to highlight and promote Black businesses. Official Black Wall Street is one of the original services that list businesses owned by members of the Black community.

Support Black Owned uses a simple search tool to help you find Black businesses, Shop Black Owned is an open-source tool operating in eight US cities, and EatOkra specifically helps people find Black-owned restaurants. Also, We Buy Black offers an online marketplace for Black businesses.

The online boutique Etsy highlights Black-owned vendors on its website -- many of these shop owners are women selling jewelry and unique art pieces. And if you're searching for make-up or hair products, check CNET's own list of Black-owned beauty brands.

Donate to Black organizations and charities

Donating money to a charity is an important way to support a movement or group, and your monetary contribution can help fund programs and pay for legal costs and salaries that keep an organization afloat. Your employer may agree to match employee donations, which would double the size of your contribution -- ask your HR department.

Nonprofit organizations require reliable, year-round funding to do their work. Rather than a lump sum, consider a monthly donation. Even if the amount seems small, your donation combined with others can help provide a steady stream of funds that allows programs to operate.

Here are some non-profit organizations advancing Black rights and equal justice and supporting Black youth:

Black Lives Matter

NAACP

Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Color of Change

Black Girls Code

The Black Youth Project

Attend local Black History Month events

Many cities, schools, and local organizations will host events celebrating Black History Month in February 2022. Check your local newspaper or city website to see what events are happening in your area -- for example, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Baltimore and Louisville, Kentucky, have extensive events planned this month.

If you can't find anything in your area or don't want to attend events in person, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, is offering a handful of online Black History Month events throughout February.

Watch Black history documentaries and movies

Black is King is an elaborately staged musical directed, written and produced by Beyoncé. Disney

You can find movies and documentaries exploring the Black experience right now on Netflix, Disney Plus and other streaming services.

The CNET staff has compiled a selection of feature films and documentaries for Black History Month 2023, including the wonderful Summer of Soul and Black is King. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu all have special collections of streaming movies and shows for Black History Month.

PBS also offers several free video documentary collections, which include smaller chunks of Black history for all ages. The collections include subjects like the Freedom Riders, the 1963 March on Washington and the Rise and Fall of Jim Crow.

Find Black authors and stories for yourself and your children

There are so many great books written by Black authors you should read -- not only during Black History Month but all year round. So, where do we start? Try your local library. Many will have Black History Month collections for both adults and kids.

Libraries will also often have Black History Month book recommendations by age. The San Diego Public Library, the Detroit Public Library and DC Public Library, for example, have programs and collections to browse for adults and children.

Next, try Black booksellers. The Noname Book Club, dedicated to amplifying diverse voices, has compiled a list of Black-owned bookshops across the US. The club also highlights two books a month by writers of color.

Dive deeper into Black history with online resources

The National Archives includes many primary resources from Black history in America. Rowland Sherman/National Archives

You can find remarkable Black history collections on government, educational and media sites. One of the best is the aforementioned BlackPast, which hosts a large collection of primary documents from African American history, dating back to 1724.

The National Archives also hosts a large collection of records, photos, news articles and videos documenting Black heritage in America. The expansive National Museum of African American History & Culture's Black History Month collection is likewise full of unique articles, videos and learning materials.

The New York Times' 1619 Project tracks the history of Black Americans from the first arrival of enslaved people in Virginia. The Pulitzer Center hosts the full issue of The 1619 Project as a PDF file on its 1619 Education site, which also offers reading guides, activity lessons and reporting related to the project.

You can buy The 1619 Project and the children's picture book version -- The 1619 Project: Born on the Water -- as printed books.

#Here Are 9 Ways to Celebrate Black History Month in 2023 #Black History Month 2023 #Black Lives Matter #Black History #Black History Month #Black History 2023 Celebrations #1619 Project

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queermtl · 1 year

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QUEER MTL THINGS TO DO: FEBRUARY 2023

The month of love and Black History is upon us! Every month, Montréal’s queer calendar is stuffed full of exciting events, parties and performances. Here’s some of our picks for the best LGBTQ+ things to do in the city this February. For further announcements, follow QueerMTL on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr! Got an event coming up? DM it our way!

EVENT OF THE MONTH:

🥳 Frky celebrates Black History month with BLK featuring Nick Holder, Moka, B’ugo and Andy Williams on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at La Sala Rossa. Tickets are available here. Beforehand, from 7-10 PM they’ll also be hosting the free event LISTEN, with 9 DJs shining a spotlight on the Black music that’s inspired them—and everyone else!—throughout their lives.

EVENTS

🎭 The Queer Performance Camp returns from February 1-18, 2023, in collaboration between Studio 303, Mai (Montréal, arts interculturels) and La Chappelle Scènes Contemporaines. Composed of Gatherings, Workshops and Shows, the Queer Performance Camp brings some of Montréal’s best LGBTQ+ talent to the stage. This year’s lineup includes appearances from FATHERMOTHER, Vivek Sharaya, and Ivo Dimchev, as well as The Future Lovers Kiki Ball, the Queerdo Love Cabaret and the Cosmic Drag-Pop Double Feature all listed individually below. Check the link for full lineup, timeline and ticketing information.

✍️ HommeHomo brings Drink & Draw back to Bar Le Cocktail on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, featuring live models and drink specials.

🎭 McGill Arts Undergrad Theatre Society is presenting HAIR! on February 2-4, 2023. Tickets and info at Eventbrite.

📚 The Violet Hour Book Club will meet and discuss the novel Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at the Archives gaies du Québec.

👠 Miss Meow presents their Valentine’s Burlesque Revue on February 11, 2023 at Café Cleopatra. Tickets at Eventbrite.

🎲 Queer French Conversation Hangouts MTL brings their Queer French Board Game Hang to Frigo Vert on Sunday, February 12, 2023.

💘 Ellelui presents CRUSH at La Sala Rossa, a Valentine’s speed dating fundraiser for Black Healing Fund on Tuesday, February 14, 2023. Find love! Tickets here.

🤖 Presented by Mother Raven Louboutin, the MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels) hosts The Future Lovers Kiki Ball on Saturday, February 18, 2023, sure to be one of the year’s biggest and most exciting voguing events. Join MC Broadway Mulan and DJ Cherry KFC as some of Montréal’s biggest ballroom talent shows their skills on the runway.

💔 Anti-Valentines Day: A Sad Song Cover Night brings bitter joy to the masses on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the Diving Bell Social Club.

💄 Montréal drag artist Dot Dot Dot presents Introduction to the art of Drag: King, Queen and Genderbent on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Art Neuf (continuing the following Saturday). Book your spot and pick up some makeup early!

🛍 LuperQUEERlia offers a safe gathering space including free drinks, tarot, tattoos and shopping. At 2019 rue Moreau on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

🎪 Catch the eye-popping acrobatics of DiiP at Cabaret Mado on Sunday, February 26, 2023. Tickets here.

✍️ Calling all lesbian, bi, trans, queer and non-binary writers, poets, photographers, illustrators and other artists—Lez Spread the Word magazine is holding an open call for submissions for its 8th issue. Deadline is March 1st, and details at the link.

🎤 Most Tuesdays, check out Stand Up St. Henri Open Mic at Impro Montréal, focusing on women, non-binary, queer and allied comedians.

🏒 Feminist hockey collective Hockey pour Poches meets every Thursday for games in Villeray’s Parc de Normanville.

💃 Tango/Salsa Queer’s continue, with Salsa Queer on Monday nights from 20:30-21:30 and Tango (beginners/intermediate) on Tuesdays at 19:00-20:30. Contact [email protected] for prices and location.

PARTIES

🥳 Homopop brings GAYDONNA! Madonna Dance Party with drag artist Sami Landri to Cabaret Berlin on Friday, February 3, 2023. Dance the night away to 40 years of Madge!

🥳 POWERSLVT: SLVT JUICE comes to Cabaret Berlin on Saturday, February 4, 2023, promising Play, Dance and Queer Expression.

🥳 Global Tarraxo comes back to Montréal for its second edition here, from February 9-13, 2023 at HotelZERO1. Find DJ lineup and ticket information at Eventbrite.

🥳 KODE returns to Cabaret Berlin on Friday, February 10, 2023. Dress code: leather, latex, sports and uniform!

🥳 Cult of AnarchKey presents BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Queer Artist Showcase + Dance Party at Notre Dame des Quilles on Saturday, February 11, 2023.

🥳 The Montreal Glow Party promises a night of dancing and music, and every attendee gets a glow stick upon entry. What could be better than that? At Jet Night Club on Saturday, February 11, 2023.

🥳 Filipinos of Montréal present LOVE IN THIS CLUB: An All R&B Dancery at 435 Beaubien Ouest on Saturday, February 11, 2023. Tickets and information at Eventbrite.

🥳 The legendary L Nights returns for Love is in the Air on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at Bar Datcha. A day late for Valentine’s Day, but still perfect timing to find love on the dance floor. Tickets at Eventbrite.

🥳 Dance to all of your RiRi favourites at Homopop's Rihanna Dance Party, featuring drag artists Aizysse Baga and Sasha Baga on Friday, February 17, 2023 at Cabaret Berlin.

🥳 Love Dumpster, the first of a series of techno-homo events created for and by the LGBTQ2S+ community premieres at Cabaret Berlin on Saturday, February 18, 2023.

🥳 Queen & Queer presents their Women dance party Queen & Queen on February 18, 2023 at La Sala Rossa.

🥳 We’re always hyped for when Discoño is on, and this month’s edition they’ll take over Newspeak on Friday, February 25, 2023.

🥳 This Nuit Blanche, Mythos Drag Cabaret and Blush are joining forces for Mythos X Blush: Après-Ski ❄️ Snow Bunnies at Cabaret Berlin on February 25, 2023. Starting with cutting edge drag and going late into the night with one of Montréal’s favourite lesbian parties, this is one collaboration you won’t want to miss!

🥳 Bar Le Stud hosts POLAR BEAR on Nuit Blanche, February 25, 2023. Free entry!

DRAG

👑 Uma Gahd hosts weekly screenings of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15 at Bar Le Cocktail in Montréal’s Gay Village on Friday nights. Come early for a ticket and laugh along all season!

👑 Head to Cabaret Mado for Queen of the Damned on Thursday, February 2, 2023 hosted bt Dénome LaStrange and featuring Denim Pussy and Ad’horrible.

👑 Homopop brings GAYDONNA! Madonna Dance Party with drag artist Sami Landri to Cabaret Berlin on Friday, February 3, 2023. Dance the night away to 40 years of Madge!

👑 Join host Uma Gahd for Church—Dear Auntie edition on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Bar Le Cocktail. Tickets at Eventbrite.

👑 LaDorris et ses Queens is returning to Verdun on Saturday, February 4, 2023, with special guests Kimber Lay of Québec City and Style Artois from Terrebonne at Resto-Bar Trevi.

👑 Hosted by Heart Dandy, Queer Joy Drag Show is a gender affirming care fundraiser on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at Notre Dame Des Quilles featuring performers, crafts and raffle.

👑 Montréal’s drag kings arrive at Bière et Métal on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at Cabaret Mado, featuring Flex Ryder and Mister Boogie. Tickets here.

👑 Selma and Uma Gahd bring Drag Brunch to Robin Des Bois in Parc La Fontaine on Saturday, February 11, 2023. Grab your $5 reservation spot early, and bring the whole family!

👑 Jimmy Moore brings his impeccable impersonation skills back to Cabaret Mado, this time in the guise of Adele. Saturday, February 11, 2023. Tickets here.

👑 Océane Aqua-Black brings her one woman show 50 Shades of Me to Cabaret Mado on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. Tickets here.

👑 The MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels) presents Cosmic Drag-Pop Double Feature with Bijuriya and BiG SiSSY on Friday, February 17, 2023, as part of the mini-festival 3 Happenings Queer.

👑 Dance to all of your RiRi favourites at Homopop's Rihanna Dance Party, featuring drag artists Aizysse Baga and Sasha Baga on Friday, February 17, 2023 at Cabaret Berlin.

👑 Continuing 3 Happenings Queer at the MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels), The Queerdo Love Cabaret with hosts Bijuriya and Hercusleaze features Kajol, Korra Anarchkey, Uncle Marly, Miami Minx and others on Saturday, February 18, 2023.

👑 Kitana and Barbada celebrate Nothing But the 90s at Cabaret Mado on Thursday, February 23, 2023. Grab tickets here.

👑 Montréal King of Kings Charli Deville presents Manspread: Bikini Bottoms—A SpongeBob Squarepants Cabaret at Bar Le Cocktail on Saturday, February 25, 2023. This one will sell out fast, so grab tickets at Eventbrite!

👑 Back back back again, it’s Jimmy Moore as Celine Dion on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Cabaret Mado. Tickets here.

👑 The Main Stage comes to Champs on Saturday, February 25, 2023, featuring drag, dance and song. A perfect way to end Nuit Blanche!

👑 Every Monday at the Diving Bell Social Club, Bambi Dextrous hosts Trivia Mondays! Be sure to book your team table in advance.

👑 Every Tuesday, Canada’s Drag Race season 3 winner Gisèle Lullaby hosts Full Gisèle at Cabaret Mado. Tickets and schedule at Cabaret Mado’s website.

👑 On Friday nights, the legendary Mado Lamotte hosts Mado Reçoit at her namesake club, Cabaret Mado. Each week, she shares the stage with a hand-picked roster of queens. Tickets and lineup info here.

👑 The amazing Tracy Trash hosts Le Tracy Show every Sunday at Cabaret Mado. Grab tickets here.

👑 Bar Le Cocktail’s regular weekly events include Butterfly de Nuit with Miss Butterfly on Thursdays, Vendredi Fou with Michel Dorion on Fridays, Samedi Drôles de Drags with a rotating cast of queens on Saturdays and Dimanche Show with Michel Dorion on Sundays. Check listings for specific details, and pick up tickets here.

#montreal mtlmoments queerMTL thingstodo lgbttravel lgbtq 2slgbtq

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