San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Black History Month
Ways to celebrate in the Bay Area virtually and inperson.
The month of February is traditionally dedicated to the legacy of African culture in America. In the past year, we have borne witness to a profound growth of awareness and development of the Black Lives Matter movement, which came to a head through massive and widespread protests and civilian acts of resistance and solidarity, even as COVID19 raged around the world.
Celebrated in the U.S. and other parts of the world as a way of honoring important people, events and achievements of the African diaspora, this year’s Black History Month has more gravity and significance than ever, as a time community members to take pause and look inward, asking what they can do to better confront racism and inequality.
Here’s how Bay Area organizations and arts institutions plan to celebrate Black History Month in 2021:
Online (and outdoor) events
Black Women and Political
Leadership: Join Oakland History Center librarian Dorothy Lazard for a discussion on the developing role and influence of Black women in political leadership. Panelists include former executive director of the Women of Color Resource Center’s Linda Burnham and Laney College professor and former Black Panther Party newspaper editor Judy Juanita.
6 p.m. Feb. 3. Free, registration required. 5102383134. bit.ly/3cdiKcj Black Culture Fest: Young Truths, Beautifully Told: 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.
10:45 a.m. Feb. 4. Free, registration required. bit.ly/ 2KBltk9
Mills College Trans Studies Speaker Series: In Search of Our Black Queer Ances
tors: An online conversation between historian andjournalist 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 selfdescribed drag queen.
5 p.m. Feb. 4. Free, registration required. 5104302191. performingarts.mills.edu
After Dark Online: Shaping Landscapes: Learn about how Black Bay Area leaders, past and present, have impacted and shaped our local landscape through advocacy and environmental changes. In this episode the Exploratorium’s “After Dark Online” series, USC Professor Alaina Morgan will discuss the Black Panther Party’s impact on the East Bay and share contemporary and historic photographs.
7 p.m. Feb. 4. For 18 and older. Free. Available to stream on the Exploratorium YouTube and Facebook channels. 4155284444. exploratorium.edu
USF Womxn of Color Leadership Conference:
This year’s virtual conference reaffirms a commitment to providing a space committed to racial justice and is set to feature Grammynominated TEDx fellow artist RyanNicole as keynote speaker along with Suquamish Nation vocalist Calina Lawrence and an opening address from Candice Harrison.
1 p.m. Feb. 5. Free, donations encouraged. Register required. 4154225555. bit.ly/2Y2DlaY
Merola Opera Program Presents: Of Thee I Sing! Songs of Love and Justice:
Soprano Karen Slack performs a livestreamed concert featuring works by Undine Smith Moore, H.T. Burleigh, Scott Gendel, H. Leslie Adams, Ricky Ian Gordon, and Adolphus Hailstork, with
pianist Mary Pinto.
4 p.m. Feb. 7. $25$80, available online. 4159362324. merola.org
Global Arts Live Presents: Ladysmith Black Mambazo:
Originally scheduled as an inperson performance at Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, the South African a cappella ensemble is set to present a livestreamed concert from the eWushini Arts Centre in Durban, South Africa.
5 p.m. Feb. 13. $25. bit.ly/ 35YvtLF
African Roots and Rhythms with Unique Derique: The Bay Area’s Unique Derique shares the art of hambone body percussion and discusses its evolution in America through a presentation and performance suitable for all ages. 3 p.m. Feb. 20. Free, registration required. 5102383134. bit.ly/3pjvT7n
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.
1 p.m. Feb. 24. Free. Available to stream on the Exploratorium YouTube and Facebook channels. 4155284444. exploratorium.edu
Coalition of Black Excellence Week Summit ’21:
Thrive Together: An annual Black History Month event focused on creating more systemic support within the Black community, bringing together professionals, business owners and nonprofits dedicated to the community. Featuring keynote speakers and panels with Fortune 500 members, government officials, activists, health professionals and entrepreneurs, this virtual event seeks to help amplify collective impact, and support goals in diversity recruitment, retention and philanthropy.
Feb. 2427. $25$50, available online. The event will be hosted on the Hopin online platform. 5106290541. cbenonprofit.org
Tomika Iyalla the Nigerian Queen Presents: Afro
Groove: Learn some African dance moves from various parts of the continent in an outdoor, distanced class setting. Release stress and have fun with music and movement. Wear a mask. COVID safety measures will be in place. 1 p.m. Feb. 27. $20. 3261 Martin Luther King Junior Way, Oakland. bit.ly/364SH2O
Call and Response: Intimate Talks with Jazz
Icons: Bassist, composer and educator Christian McBride and moderator Andre Kimo Stone Guess plan to discuss musical inspirations, what it means to be an artist during challenging times and what the future may hold for musicians and the music industry. Audience Q&A included.
4 p.m. Feb. 28. Free$50. living jazz.org /callresponse
Ongoing events
CinemaLit: In Celebration of Black History Month, Black Lives on Film 2: Join a Zoom Salon to discuss the film of the week, available to watch at your leisure on the
Kanopy streaming service, which is free with most local library cards or Mechanics’ Institute membership. The featured weekly films starting on Feb. 5 are “Lorraine Hansberry Sighted Eyes/ Feeling Heart” (117 min. 2017), “Anita Speaking Truth to Power” (77 min. 2013), “Moonlight” (111 min. 2016), and “Miss Juneteenth” (100 min. 2020).
6 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 525. Free$10. Register for each week’s sessions at milibrary.org/ events/cinemalitfilmseries
MLK Day Walk of Dreams on the Richmond Greenway: The Watershed Project created a community installation to celebrate East Bay environmental justice heroes. Take part by writing a word or a sentence that conveys your dreams for Richmond on an online “Walk of Dreams Board.” The project will transcribe these sentiments onto fabric swatches and add them to the “living sculptures” located along the Richmond Greenway. If you live near or visit the greenway, you can write your dream on a blank piece of fabric, which will be displayed on the sculptures.
Through Feb. 26. Free. bit.ly/3oa5CaO
Oakland MLK 40 Days of Service: Oakland residents are encouraged to take action locally, keeping neighborhoods, local parks and waterways clean by picking up litter, reporting illegal dumping and pledging to practice environmental conservation actions at home. The city of Oakland offers a list of resources and suggested acts of service on its website.
Through Feb. 28. Free. bit.ly/3rXdsH5