How to celebrate Black History Month in the Bay
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From art to dance to comedy, here's how to celebrate Black History Month across the Bay Area.
Why it matters: Historian Carter G. Woodson helped found Black History Month by launching Negro History Week in 1926, which later expanded into a monthlong observance. Today, it serves as a time to recognize the history and ongoing contributions of Black Americans.
🎶 Kickoff Reggae Jam (Saturday): Start your morning with reggae, dancehall beats and a live percussion set before attending the big parade.
- 9am-noon at the Bayview Opera House.
🥁 6th Annual Black History Parade & Block Party (Saturday): Featuring live music, pony rides and a classic car show.
- 11am- 4:30pm at the Southeast Community Center.
🇪🇹 Back to Black Celebration (Feb. 26): This Pan-African DJ dance party is being hosted at one of the city's oldest jazz bars, which also serves Ethiopian cuisine.
- 9pm at Club Waziema. $5-10 recommended donation.
🎤 Black History Month Student Showcase (Feb. 26:): Young authors involved in the art nonprofit 826 Valencia's Black Students Initiative will perform and present their original works.
- 5-6:30pm at the Museum of the African Diaspora.
🚲 Bayview Black History Bike Ride (Feb. 28): Explore and learn about important Bayview landmarks on a guided bike tour.
- 9am-1:30pm at the Martin Luther King Memorial.
🗣️ Black History and Futures Celebration (Feb. 28): This community event invites people to share stories across generations, from reflecting on moments from the past to discussing priorities for the future.
- 1-4pm at the African American Art & Culture Complex.
Find more events in Oakland here.