N.J. Black History Month events provide eclectic mix of activities to educate and entertain – Jersey’s Best

In a tumultuous time with issues surrounding systemic racism and police brutality rising to the forefront, it is especially important to learn about Black culture in America and engage with the history of slavery, abolition and the civil rights movement.

The annual celebration of Black History Month recognizes the role of African Americans in U.S. history, beginning as “Negro History Week” in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially designated the month of February as Black History Month and each president who follows designated each year’s theme. 2021’s theme is The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity.

Throughout the month of February, events will teach, inspire and honor the lives and legacies of Black Americans and New Jerseyans in honor of Black History Month. Many of these events are virtual and open to the public, so no matter where you are located in the Garden State, it is possible to celebrate and learn during Black History Month while staying safe.

Atlantic County

The New Day Family Success Center in Galloway is celebrating Black History Month with a virtual game of Black History Month Jeopardy on Zoom. Learn about Black history, and earn bragging points as your family can guess correct answers and hopefully win the Jeopardy game. It is open to all families living in Atlantic County and pre-registration is required online or over phone by calling 609-652-0230.

Time and date: Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 5 to 5:30 p.m.

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free with registration

Bergen County

In honor of Black History Month, Palisades Park Library welcomes you to stream select movies for free from home. Then register for the Zoom group discussion by phone or email, or visit with other library patrons and share your thoughts on the film. Register by emailing reference@palisadespark.bccls.org or call 201-585-4150.

Burlington County

At Rowan College of Burlington County (RCBC), the African American Cultural Committee works to create education and cultural programs that showcase the contributions made by individuals of African descent. During Black History Month, the committee is offering two planned events for the college and surrounding community.

On Saturday, Feb. 6, the African American Cultural Committee is offering a Black History Month Red Cross blood drive for sickle cell awareness. Donate blood and save lives, with registration required.

Location: Al-Nasr Mosque, 500 Bridge St. Willingboro, N.J. 08046

Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cost: Register online by clicking here.

The African American Cultural Committee also is offering a Black History Month History of Fashion/Atlantic City Fashion Week virtual event on Thursday, Feb. 11. The presentation will be led by RCBC fashion instructor Lisa Steinberg and focus on the history of fashion and inclusion of Black models. Members of the Atlantic City Fashion Week will highlight current fashion in the industry.

Location: Virtual

Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Cost: Free with online registration

Cape May County

No events are available at this time.

Cumberland County

No events available at this time.

Essex County

The Montclair Public Library is celebrating Black History Month with a virtual presentation of “George Washington Carver & Friends” by Bright Star Theatre. Kids will learn about the amazing discoveries of Black people in the modern era in science, technology, engineering and math. It is hosted by prominent scientist George Washington Carver and will feature appearances from other groundbreakers in Black history, like Jackie Robinson and Thurgood Marshall.

Location: Virtual

Time and date: Link to the performance will be shared on Feb. 6 and viewable through Feb. 20.

Cost: Free, with library card and registration

The West Orange African Heritage Organization is hosting a virtual Black History Month program that will feature guest speakers on a variety of topics surrounding issues faced by the African American community. These guest speakers will include Dr. Teri Lassiter from the Rutgers School of Public Health, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stevens and Kamani Jefferson, CEO of NorthStar Liberty Group. The program will be moderated by Brent Scott.

Location: Virtual

Time and date: Saturday, Feb. 6 at 5 p.m.

Cost: Free with registration

Gloucester County

No events are available at this time.

Hudson County

Jersey City is hosting a Black History Month Flag Raising ceremony at the City Hall Plaza on Feb. 1, presented by the Jersey City Municipal Council and the Office of Cultural Affairs. The outdoor event will celebrate African American culture. Masks and social distancing are required.

Location: Jersey City City Hall Plaza (280 Grove St., Jersey City, N.J. 07302)

Time: Noon to 12:30 p.m.

Cost: Free and open to public

The Bridge Art Gallery in Bayonne is hosting its 6th annual Expressive Creative Soul Art Exhibition with an opening reception on Feb. 6. This staple event celebrates Black History Month with a curation of art from Bryant Small featuring a remarkable lineup of participating artists. Masks are required to visit, and limited capacity tickets are available with 30-minute time slots.

Location: Bridge Art Gallery (199 Broadway, Bayonne N.J. 07002)

Time: Saturday, Feb. 6 from 3 to 7 p.m.

Cost: Free with registration

Hunterdon County

The Hunterdon County Historical Society is hosting an online program entitled, “The Revolutionary World of a Free Black Man: Jacob Francis, 1754-1836.” The virtual event will be hosted by author and historian William “Larry” Kidder and focuses on his research of African American patriot Jacob Francis. Francis was not enslaved during the times of the American Revolution and later fought during the war. Eventually, Francis became a farmer, and his family went on to become active in the abolitionist movement. Kidder’s research says Francis and his family’s story, “helps us better understand our current diverse society.”

Location: Virtual

Time and date: Thursday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.

Cost: Free with registration

Mercer County

The Arts Council of Princeton and Museums in Motion are paying tribute to the “Legend of the Arts” during Black History Month. Decades of African American culture and notable individuals in American history are being featured, including poet and author Langston Hughes, Motown singing sensations The Supremes, and photographs of the stunning Lena Horne, the first black woman signed to a long-term Hollywood movie contract. All ages are encouraged to visit the display to celebrate the achievements and impact of African American culture throughout history.

Location: Arts Council of Princeton (102 Witherspoon St., Princeton, N.J. 08542)

Time and date: Opens Saturday, Feb. 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (open until 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday) and concludes on March 6

Cost: Free

The New Jersey State Library is hosting two virtual discussions to commemorate Black History Month.

The first talk is “Little Known Truths regarding African American Enslavement in the State of New Jersey – 1695-1866.” The program will be presented by Sandra Turner-Barnes, an award-winning author, historian and performance poet. Turner-Barnes is a direct descendant of the Sadler and Still families, founders of two historical African American settlements within southern New Jersey in the 1700s. The program will feature 15 years of research regarding the history of slavery within New Jersey and focus on raising awareness. The Feb. 3 program is full, but you can watch it on New Jersey State Library’s YouTube channel afterward.

The second talk is “Hidden Figures Revealed,” a presentation on several notable African American figures in Summit, including a suffragist, female pastors, historic churches, jazz musician, the first African American female elected official and historic locations. The talk will be hosted by Janice Cross-Gilyard, president of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society – New Jersey Chapter. Cross-Gilyard has conducted her own family research for the past 25 years, documenting her family history back to 1720 and believes they chose to tell their story to her.

Location: Virtual

Time and date: Tuesday, Feb. 16 from noon to 1 p.m.

Cost: Free with registration

Middlesex County

The Metuchen Public Library and the Museum of the American Revolution are hosting a virtual event called “Celebrating Black History Month: The Same Principle Lives in Us.” The presentation focuses on the American Revolution and how the words “all men are created equal” apply to all people, including those of African descent. The talk uses the stories and objects at the museum to imagine what the Revolution was like for such figures as Phillis Wheatley, Elizabeth Freeman, James Forten, Harry Washington and others.

Location: Virtual

Time and Date: Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m.

Cost: Free with registration here or by emailing metuchenpubliclibrary@lmxac.org.

The Minorities in the Profession Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association have announced its 2021 Black History Month Celebration. This virtual event will feature winners of the annual essay competition who compete in a trivia contest for a cash prize, as well as music by the Trenton High School Orchestra, a keynote speaker and virtual art show.

Location: Virtual

Time and date: Thursday, Feb. 25 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Cost: Free with registration

The Woodbridge Public Library is celebrating Black History Month with a virtual discussion with Rick Geffen about his new book, “Stories of Slavery in New Jersey.” Geffen will analyze slavery in the state, including the surprising fact that New Jersey was the last northern state to abolish slavery in 1866.

Location: Virtual

Time and date: Tuesday, Feb. 9 from 7 to 8 p.m.

Cost: Free with registration

Monmouth County

Monmouth University is hosting an array of events for Black History Month, from trivia and move nights to panel discussions and book clubs.

Location: Virtual

Time and date: All month long

Cost: Free with registration, which you can do so for any event here.

Morris County

No events available at this time.

Ocean County

The Ocean County Library will offer virtual programming for Black History Month, including presentations, scavenger hunts, trivia events and more.

Location: Virtual

Time and date: All throughout February

Cost: Free, but to view the events and register, click here.

Passaic County

No events available at this time.

Salem County

No events available at this time.

Somerset County

Throughout Black History Month, the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) will commemorate the legacy and history of Black culture through a plethora of interactive, virtual programs for customers of all ages. Children of all ages can virtually meet reenactors of noteworthy figures in Black history, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Madam C.J. Walker and Jackie Robinson; discover the art of African storytelling; and learn about the civil rights movement.

Location: Virtual

Time and date: Throughout February

Cost: Free with registration. View and sign up for events here.

Sussex County

Celebrate Black History Month with the Sussex County Library System by listening to an exhilarating art talk by Janet Mandel called “The Harlem Renaissance: Courage, Grace and Vision” via Zoom. The talk will introduce you to many of the inspired artists who produced astonishing and groundbreaking works.

Location: Virtual

Time and date: Feb. 8 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Cost: Free but RSVP here

Union County

The Black History Month pop up shop will feature music, food and free drinks, with over 20 vendors and Black-owned businesses. It is free entry, and a mask is required.

Location: Knights of Columbus (1220 Liberty Ave., Hillside, N.J. 07205)

Time and date: Sunday, Feb. 21 from noon to 4 p.m.

Cost: Free with registration

Warren County

The Warren County Library is offering a Famous African American Artists presentation by art educator and historian Sue Altman in honor of Black History Month. The presentation will cover African American artists from colonial times to the present day, highlighting important painters, sculptors and photographers, including Jacob Lawrence, Faith Ringgold, Kehinde Wiley and Jean Michel Basquiat.

Location: Virtual

Time and date: Thursday, Feb. 4 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Cost: Free with registration

Other Virtual Events

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is hosting its 2021 Black History Month Virtual Festival, with the 95th annual theme being “The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity.” There are free events throughout the month, and the marquee event is “Finding Our Roots in African American History: A Conversation with Henry Louis Gates and Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham.” The conversation will have ASALH National President Higginbotham interview Gates about his thoughts and motivations in popularizing Black history in their heritage and a search for family roots.

Location: Virtual

Time and date: Virtual dates on website, marquee event is on Saturday, Feb. 20 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Cost: Some events are free, but the marquee event tickets start at $50. You can purchase tickets here and see the schedule of events here.