Celebrate the Oakland Library’s “February Black Culture Fest 2021” with Oakland Youth Poet Laureate finalists Siara Edmonds and Monique Jonath, who plan to share their poems and engage in an interactive discussion with attendees.

February 4 at 10:45 a.m. - Free, registration required: bit.ly/2KBltk9

Mills College Trans Studies Speaker Series: In Search of Our Black Queer Ancestors

An online conversation between historian and journalist Channing Gerard Joseph and Emmy winner Susan Stryker. The talk is set to revolve around Joseph’s work highlighting contributions of queer Black Americans, particularly William Dorsey Swann, a Black man born into slavery who became the world’s first self-described drag queen.

February 4 at 5 p.m. - Free, registration required: 510-430-2191; Performingarts.mills.edu

The USPTO’s free online Black History Month celebration spotlighting three contemporary Black women inventors: Aprille Ericsson, Ayanna Howard, and Arlyne Simon. Hear the panelists’ firsthand accounts of their amazing career paths and game-changing inventions.

February 10 at 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 

Storytime Science for Kids Online: The Color Episode

Join the Exploratorium for a story session, followed by an art activity geared toward younger children. Children’s educational outreach program director Vivian Altmann plans to read “Black Is a Rainbow Color,” written by Angela Joy and illustrated by Ekua Holmes.

February 24 at 1 p.m. - Free. Available to stream on the Exploratorium YouTube and Facebook channels: 415-528-4444; exploratorium.edu 

African Book Club: 'Fairytales for Lost Children'

As part of an ongoing series with author/professor Faith Adiele, the Museum of African Diaspora invites all to a discussion of “Fairytales for Lost Children,” Diriye Osman’s novel about young, gay and lesbian Somalis navigating complexities of family, identity and the immigrant experience in Kenya, Somalia and South London. To participate, get a copy of the book, read it in advance of the meeting and be ready to discuss with the group online via Zoom.

February 28 at 5 p.m. - Free, donations encouraged: bit.ly/36e7poh

National Museum of African American History and Culture Presents: The People's Holiday

This event features a live-streamed music performance with Grammy Award-winning bassist, composer and educator Christian McBride inspired by his social justice focused album, “The Movement Revisited: A Musical Portrait of Four Icons.” The 45-minute concert also features students from the Juilliard School and a poetry reading by Sonia Sanchez. It concludes with a conversation between McBride and Sanchez moderated by museum associate director of curatorial affairs Dwandalyn Reece.

Available to stream for free at s.si.edu/3nfoT9v

Throughout the month of February 2021, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) will host a festival, virtual programming in observance and celebration of the strengths struggles, resistance - and the sheer perseverance of the Black family. The festival will be a series of stellar educational events that demonstrate how Black people helped shape the American landscape and were shaped by it, posited through the lens of food, religion, social justice, education, economics, and music arts and their impact on the endurance of Black families.

The Smithsonian

Join the Smithsonian online for vibrant performances, lectures and family activities that celebrate Black History month. These programs throughout the month of February are also in partnership with the African American History and Culture Museum. 

Oakland Museum at Home: Black Power Virtual Exhibition

Take a virtual tour of the museum’s current exhibitions online, including the “Black Power” group exhibition.

Contact: 510-318-8400 or visit museumca.org/omca-at-home

MLK Unity Group Creating Beloved Community Presents: 40th Annual Virtual Celebration

A live-streamed event with the theme of “Restoration, Reconciliation and Resilience!” features keynote speaker the Rev. Loretta Dickerson-Smith, with musical selections, interviews, dance and performance art from Hue Vision Productions, as well as a dedication to the memory of late civil rights leader and U.S. Rep. John Lewis. Available to stream on the BCACTV YouTube channel.

Free, donations encouraged: bit.ly/3irE6Uh

Black History Month for Kids and Families in the Bay Area

We want to celebrate Black History Month with our families of young children in the Bay Area, but this year things will look a bit different. Read on for some great virtual events, storytimes, dance performances, as well as movies and books! We’ll be adding new kid-friendly activities as we find them.

More Than a Month 2021 - SF Public Library

Black History Month is a fundamental part of our nation’s tradition, in which we recognize important historical events, honorable leaders and steps towards collective change. Encompassing Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday weekend and all throughout February, the Library champions Black history, culture and heritage with programs spotlighting Black authors, artists, makers and movers. This celebration is titled More Than a Month in an effort to emphasize that reflection, open dialogue, interdisciplinary education and shared advocacy needs to take place in our communities during Black History Month, as well as all year round.