Bay Area’s black history celebrations, observances
February is a month of celebrations, lectures and performances dedicated to the legacy of African culture.
Black History Month, also known as African American History Month, is celebrated in the U.S. and other parts of the world as a way of remembering important people, events and achievements of the African diaspora. In the Bay Area, celebrations began as early as Jan. 5 and continue through Feb. 29.
More Than a Month Black
History Festival: The San Francisco Public Library offers more than 80 film screenings and literary events for adults, interactive events for teens, and handson activities for children, plus exhibits, music and craft classes for the whole family. The festivities wrap up on Feb. 29 with a West African drumming showcase featuring local musician Keenan Webster. All the events are free.
Saturday, Feb. 8Feb. 29. Free. Various times and locations in San Francisco. sfpl.org
Black History Month KickOff Event — How do we build, promote and in
spire? The Coalition of Black Excellence will facilitate a conversation on ways to build, promote and inspire within the Bay Area’s African American community. With speaker Greg Hammons, program manager at Google,
and others, the event also includes a happy hour at the Battery’s Musto Bar and live music from Roots 2000.
610 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6. Free with registration. The Battery, 717 Battery St., S.F. bit.ly/bhmcoalition
San Francisco’s Black History Month 2020: Kickoff
Celebration: The San Francisco African American Historical & Cultural Society plans to host a lunchtime celebration on Friday, Feb. 7, to commemorate the month. The event will highlight the theme “African Americans and the Vote: The Movement Lives On” and is to feature a keynote speech by Alicia Garza, cofounder of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Noon1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7. Free with RSVP. San Francisco City Hall Rotunda, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, S.F. bit.ly/bhmrotunda
Oakland First Fridays x
Black Love: This monthly event in Oakland will celebrate Black History Month with the theme of “Black Love.” The lineup of performers on the main stage includes host Phillip Wilson, DJ Squaropolis Ouma, Lady Sn3ak, singer Isaac Brown, the Fancy Dance Team, Donnie Williams and many others.
Oakland First Fridays is a free monthly event along the city’s Telegraph Avenue.
59 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 Free. Telegraph Avenue, Oakland. oaklandfirstfridays.org
Carter G. Woodson Dollars for Scholars Luncheon:
The AfroAmerican Cultural & Historical Society has hosted events to celebrate the month since 1974. This year, the organization plans to host a luncheon to raise money for its scholarship program, which helps graduating high school students pursue higher education. The organization has raised more than $190,000 for scholarships to date.
11 a.m.2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. $25$50. Newark Community Center, 35501 Cedar Blvd., Newark. bit.ly/carterwoodsonluncheon
Inside the Black Panther Archives: An Evening with
Fredrika Newton: Oakland creative agency Wine & Bowties and the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation present a public conversation with foundation President Fredrika Newton. She plans to sit down with Wine & Bowties cofounder Damien McDuffie as they look over personal photos, letters and exhibit photos, and discuss their relationship to her late husband, Huey P. Newton, as well as her experience and legacy with the Black Panther party.
79 p.m. Feb. 12. Free. The New Parkway Theater, 474 24th St., Oakland. bit.ly/newtoncon versation
Bay Area Black Comedy Competition & Festival:
The comedy showcase claims to be the largest and longestrunning live showcase for “urban comedians.” This event brings standup acts from all over the U.S. and beyond to compete for bookings, Hollywood opportunities and thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. The festival includes panel discussions, parties and shows, with tickets to individual events starting at $25 and an allaccess VIP pass available for $250.
Feb. 1316. $25$250. Various times and locations in Pleasanton. bit.ly/blackcomedyfest
Black Family History Day
2020: Celebrate Black History Month by creating a family tree of your own at this special event at Oakland FamilySearch Library. Bring a family member to share the experience, and don’t forget a USB flash drive to take home all the information you gathered. Assistance will be avail
able during the event.
14 p.m. Feb. 16. Free. Oakland FamilySearch Library, 4766 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. 5105313905. bit.ly/blackhistorydayoakland
Creating a Safe Place: Healing From the Historical Trauma of White Su
premacy: This seventh annual event commemorating the month includes an exhibit on African American inventors, a performance by the Sojourner Truth Youth Choir, and a communal meal. The centerpiece of the event includes a workshop on racial trauma healing that promotes wellbeing through Africancentered practices, such as West African drumming. The workshop will be facilitated by Kristee Haggins and Adisa Anderson. The event is free with registration.
Noon5 p.m. Feb. 22. Henry Ramsey Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St., Berkeley. http://bit.ly/ bhmsafeplace
Black Joy Parade 2020:
This familyfriendly event celebrates the black experience — past, present and future. The parade begins at 14th and Alice streets in Oakland and leads to a festival at 19th Street and Broadway. The festival is expected to feature a variety of local artists, craftspeople, food vendors and performances. While the event is free, donations will be accepted at the festival entrance. 12:30 p.m. Feb. 23. Parade at 14th and Alice streets. Festival at 19th Street and Broadway, Oakland. blackjoyparade.org
APA Celebrates Black His
tory Month at MoAD: The American Planning Association’s Northern California Chapter plans to host an event at the Museum of the African Diaspora celebrating black culture. The event includes a private onehour tour ($8) of the museum’s current exhibitions, followed by a screening of the film series “Black Power & Jazz” ($10).
Feb. 26. 49 p.m. $8$18. Museum of the African Diaspora, 685 Mission St., S.F. bit.ly/bhmmoad
Black History Month: A Celebration of African
Heritage at EOYDC: The East Oakland Youth Development Center plans to host a celebration filled with performances, activities and art. Blackowned businesses will sell food at the event, and guests could win a Smart 4K television in this year’s raffle. Performers for the event include the Lyrics Performing Arts Academy, Clint Collins, Ricky Bent and poet Melissa Jones, among others.
4:307 p.m. Feb. 27. East Oakland Youth Development Center, 8200 International Blvd., Oakland. 5105698088. http://eoydc.org
Black History Observance:
The event at the Bethlehem Temple Word of Faith Apostolic Church is a free, educational and public celebration. This year, discussions will center around current issues within the black community, while also remembering the origins of African American culture.
Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín and Napa Police Chief Robert Plummer are expected to attend. The event will include plays, poems and performances telling stories from black history in new and creative ways. The night will wrap up with a free multicultural buffet.
7:30 p.m. Feb. 28. Bethlehem Temple Word of Faith Apostolic Church, 1521 Derby St., Berkeley. bit.ly/bhobservance