Every February, people across the nation come together for events and activities to celebrate Black History Month. It’s a time for us to continue our collective journey of honoring and deepening our knowledge of the history and contributions of African Americans and people of African descent that have been marginalized from mainstream curricula and discussions because of our country’s legacy of slavery, and institutional and structural racism.
We hope you will join us for these free learning opportunities that are food for our minds, bodies and souls, as we continue to exercise caution during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Black Women and Political Leadership
Wednesday, Feb. 3; 6 pm
Free, registration required
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.
Black Culture Fest: Young Truths, Beautifully Told
Thursday, Feb. 4; 10:45 am
Free, registration required
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.
Mills College Trans Studies Speaker Series: In Search of Our Black Queer Ancestors
Thursday, Feb. 4; 5 pm
Free, registration required
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 self-described drag queen.
A Conversation with Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Thursday, Feb. 4; 8 pm
Free
With the power of gospel and the precision of Broadway, Ladysmith Black Mambazo is the undisputed king of mbube, South African a cappella singing. The multi-Grammy-winning group came together in the early 1960s and continues to thrill audiences around the world with its strong, proud melodies harmonized in layers of call and response.
Join Global Arts Live Executive Director and South African native Maure Aronson as he chats with Thulani Shabalala, Albert Mazibuko and Sibongiseni Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo about subjects that range from their early days of winning singing competitions to their Paul Simon collaboration and worldwide acclaim.
USF Womxn of Color Leadership Conference
Friday, Feb. 5; 1 pm
Free, donations encouraged
This year’s virtual conference reaffirms a commitment to providing a space committed to racial justice and is set to feature Grammy-nominated TEDx fellow artist Ryan Nicole as keynote speaker along with Suquamish Nation vocalist Calina Lawrence and an opening address from Candice Harrison.
‘Mandela: Let Freedom Reign’
Saturday, Feb. 6; 7:30 pm
Free
The Marsh presents a one-man show on the life of South African President Nelson Mandela. Starring Darryl Van Leer, the production covers the early life of the activist and political legend leading up to his equal rights struggle against apartheid. It also is set to feature the actor delivering Mandela’s powerful “I Am Prepared to Die” statement, which he gave before being sentenced to life in prison.
Merola Opera Program Presents: Of Thee I Sing! Songs of Love and Justice
Sunday, Feb. 7; 4 pm
Tickets starting at $25
Soprano Karen Slack performs a live-streamed 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.
Museum of African Diaspora’s Blatant Series: Art, Joy and Rage
Tuesday, Feb. 16; 4 pm
Free, donations encouraged
February’s episode of the museum’s monthly series is set to feature award-winning documentary filmmaker Yoruba Richen and Maori Holmes, artistic director/BlackStar Film Festival CEO and Curator-at-Large for film at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Prior episodes, as well as archived video materials are available to view on their Facebook page.
Prepping to Publish with Sonora Jha: Workshop for Writers of Color
Saturday, Feb. 20, and Sunday, Feb. 21; 12 – 3 pm
Free, application required
This workshop is geared toward marginalized writers who may lack access to MFA programs, workshops and conferences. The six-hour, two session intensive will walk students through tightening up and formatting their polished pieces, writing submission emails and query letters, and figuring out how and where to submit with author and Seattle University professor of journalism, Dr. Sonora Jha.
African Roots and Rhythms with Unique Derique
Saturday, Feb. 20; 3 pm
Free, registration required
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.
MoAD’s African Diaspora Film Club: ‘How it Feels to Be Free’
Sunday, Feb. 21; 5 pm
Free, donations encouraged
Join the museum’s monthly film club series, with conversation to be moderated by Cornelius Moore, co-director of California Newsreel and film curator at MoAD. This month’s event is set to feature filmmaker Yoruba Richen. Patrons are encouraged to watch the featured 2020 documentary film, “How it Feels to Be Free,” about trailblazing black female entertainers Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln, Diahann Carroll, Nina Simone, Cicely Tyson and Pam Grier in advance of the event, available to stream for free at the PBS “American Masters” website.
Storytime Science for Kids Online: The Color Episode
Wednesday, Feb. 24; 1 pm
Free
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. This will be streamed on the Exploratorium YouTube and Facebook channels. 415-528-4444.
African Book Club: ‘Fairytales for Lost Children’
Sunday, Feb. 28; 5 pm
Free, donations encouraged
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.
Ongoing events
More Than a Month: Children’s Author Lineup at the S.F. Library
Streaming on YouTube
Authors Matt de la Peña and illustrator Christian Robinson (2 p.m. Feb. 5 at bit.ly/3iwzT1C), Torrey Maldonado (4 p.m. Feb. 24 at bit.ly/2LSrVUB) and Elizabeth Acevedo with Mahogany L. Browne (2 p.m. Feb. 25 at bit.ly/3pjgvYg) discuss their writings and the ageless power of children’s literature to transform our understanding of the world. Jason Reynolds, author of National Book Award finalist “Ghost” and Newbery Honor award-winning “Long Way Down,” will deliver the 25th “Effie Lee Morris Lecture” in a live-streamed event at 5 p.m. on Feb. 25. Register at bit.ly/3oeKEad.
These events are part of the San Francisco Public Library’s robust “More Than a Month” Black History month programming.
AfroFuturism: S.F. Poet Laureate Monthly Poem Jam
Streaming on YouTube
San Francisco Poet Laureate Kim Shuck, Kim McMullin and special guests present an evening of poetry reading in celebration of African American literature, featuring Ishmael Reed, Staajabu, Devorah Major, Tureeda Mikell, Avotcja and Dr. Glenn Parris.
National Museum of African American History and Culture Presents: The People’s Holiday
Streaming online
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.
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.