Each week this month, MSR editors share their top picks for events celebrating Black History Month.
February 2
Author Talk: Race & Rights in Antebellum America
10-11 am @ Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd. West, St. Paul. Free
Dr. Martha S. Jones, author of Birthright Citizens: Race and Rights in Antebellum America examines the long fight that African Americans activists faced to gain U.S. citizenship.
Info: mnhs.org
Sister Spokesman Presents “Love Thyself”
12-4 pm @ Thor Companies, 1256 Penn Ave. N., Suite #4000, Mpls. $5
This celebration of Black sisterhood features Dr. Joi Lewis, Brandon Jones
Info: bit.ly/LoveThyself2019
States of Incarceration Conversations: Healing Beyond the Wall
2-4 pm @ Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd. West, St. Paul. Free. First come, first served.
What does it mean to re-enter society after you’re released from the walls of a prison? Join local pastor and community organizer, Danny Givens Jr. as he shares his story of incarceration and the journey that led him to help other formerly incarcerated people heal.
Info: http://www.mnhs.org/event/6894
February 5
States of Incarceration Conversations: Reflective Circle
@ 7- 8:30 pm, Minnesota History Center 345 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul,
Free, seats are first
Join activists and people who have experience incarceration for a reflective circle led by People of Color Restorative Practices Collective. The circle will be a safe space to engage in dialogue with others regarding thoughts and emotions after viewing the States of Incarceration exhibit. The event is intended for age 18 and up.
Info: http://www.mnhs.org/event/6756
February 7
On Screen: Black History Month
6-8 pm @ Brooklyn Park Library, 8500 West Broadway Ave., Brooklyn Park. Free
Revisit the rich story and lush imagery of Julie Dash’s 1991 classic Daughters of the Dust, which tells the story of a 20th century Gullah family of coastal South Carolina.
Info: bit.ly/BHMDaughters or 612-543-5669
Soul Sing
7-9 pm @ Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Ave, Mpls. $12
VocalEssence partners with The Avant Garde to bring out the soul in all of us. Led by VocalEssence Associate Conductor Phillip Shoultz, this event will feature performances by local artists such as Ashley DuBose, Ginger Commodore and Niles, along with an audience sing-along.
Info: bit.ly/2RX2P91
Film Screening: Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami
7 pm @ Capri Theater, 2027 W. Broadway Ave.,Mpls. $5
Join First Thursdays @ The Capri to watch a documentary about the life and career of the iconic actress and singer Grace Jones.
Info: mnhs.org/event/6399
February 8
Periphery: The Student Sit-Ins of 1960s
Various times @ Howard Conn Fine Arts Center, 1900 Nicollet Ave., Mpls. $7.50
Reflect on the Civil Rights Movement and student activism of the ’60s with the Youth Performance Company’s play Periphery. Recommended for fourth-graders and above. Runs until Feb. 24.
Info: bit.ly/2MzMjWs
February 9
Black History Month Sistah Co-Op Boutique
9 am-3 pm @ New Rules, 2015 Lowry Ave. N., Mpls. Free
Celebrate Black History by supporting local Black entrepreneurs. Six small businesses unite to offer the latest in handmade jewelry, skin care products, African clothing and purses, handmade cards and more.
Info: bit.ly/BHMPopUp
Author Talk: Spiritual Healing for a Woman’s Soul
3-4 pm @ Brooklyn Park Library, 8500 W. Broadway Ave., Brooklyn Park. Free
Hear writer and speaker Daphne Brown discuss her book Spiritual Healing for a Woman’s Soul that honors the personal, passionate, and courageous accounts of triumph and deliverance from the “bondage of the past.”
Info: bit.ly/DaphneBrownTalk
Black History Month: Black Border Warriors Screening and Q&A
2:30-5 pm @ Rondo Public Library, 461 Dale St. N.,St. Paul. Free
In conjunction with Black History Month, Rondo Community Library will host a free screening of Black Border Warriors: The Seminole Negro Indian Scouts, which follows the unique plight of Black Seminoles from slavery to fighting against the U.S.in the Seminole Wars.
Info: bit.ly/BlackWarriors
February 11
National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID)
All day throughout the Twin Cities NAAPID is a national call to action for parents
Info for St. Paul Public Schools: 651-767-8181 or email brandi.cavalletti@spps.org.
Info for Minneapolis Public Schools: 612-668-0000
African American Family Involvement Day Roller Skating Party
6-8 pm @ Roller Garden, 5622 W. Lake St., St. Louis Park. Free for MPS families
After visiting your child’s school, celebrate the day with them at the Roller Garden. The event is sponsored by the Minneapolis Public Schools and Black Male Achievement. Students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Info: 612-290-9553
If you’d like to submit an event, email us @ msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com or go here to upload the event to our community calendar.
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Just can’t believe that this is all that’s going on to celebrate black history MONTH . All the contributions that African-American have given to this country and it’s just unbelievable that this is how they’re celebrating it in Minneapolis Minnesota
Hi Rochelle. Thanks for your commment. Please note that each week, the editors have selected Black History Month event highlights and this list is just from Feb. 1-11. Please find additional events at the links below.
spokesman-recorder.com/2019/02/08/black-history-month-calendar-feb-12-20
spokesman-recorder.com/2019/02/22/black-history-month-calendar-feb-22-28