Each week this month, the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder editors will share their top picks for free or low-cost events celebrating Black History Month. Find more events on msrnewsonline.com.
Ongoing
“Minnesota-Spokesman Recorder: Celebrating 85 Years”
@ Hennepin Gallery, A-level Government Center, 300 South 6th St., Mpls.
Savor and reflect on Black History through the lens of the Black Press. The “Minnesota-Spokesman Recorder: Celebrating 85 Years” exhibit, part of the City of Minneapolis’ celebration of Black History Month, places a spotlight on the MSR, the state’s oldest surviving Black newspaper. The richness of Black life in the Twin Cities will be highlighted through the paper’s extensive archives. The exhibit is free, open to the public, and runs until Feb. 28. Exhibit hours are Mon.-Fri., 7:30 am to 6 pm.
Info: www.hennepin.us/hennepingallery
Two Exhibits: “8 Seasons of Art” & “Black Ingenuity”
@ Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery (MAAHMG), 1256 Penn Ave. N., 4th Floor, Mpls.
What better way to celebrate Black history than a visit to MAAHMG. The museum is currently offering two exhibits to help ring in the season. “8 Seasons of Art: Exhibition + Documentary,” which opened Jan. 9, is a multi-medium exhibition derived from the documentary of the same name by local film director Phillip McGraw. The exhibit gives visitors an opportunity to watch the documentary and view artworks by visual artists that address issues of social and economic injustice, racism and violence.
The exhibition “Black Ingenuity: Past, Present, and Future Innovators,” which opened Jan. 2, features Blacks in Minnesota who made an impact in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields through their research, inventions, and designs.
Both exhibitions run until May 31. Admission is free and parking is free in the ramp attached to the building. Museum hours are 1-5 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 1-7 pm on Thursday and 9 am-12 pm on Saturday.
Info: www.maahmg.org
February 6
‘Harriet’ Film Screening
7-9:30 pm @ UROC, 2001 Plymouth Ave. N., Mpls.
Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, “Harriet” tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes, including an Oscar-nominated performance by Cynthia Erivo. Admission is $5.
Info: http://www.mnhs.org/event/7625
February 7
Cities United Presents the 5th Annual Black History Month Event
9 am-1pm @ North Hennepin Community College, 7411 85th Ave. N., Brooklyn Park
This community gathering is organized by young people from the Brooklyn Park Cities United Sound Off Stations and the Roadmap Academy Community Innovation Team. The event includes a welcome from Brooklyn Park Mayor Lunde and various speakers, as well as musical tributes, a keynote address, and breakout sessions that represent this year’s theme, “The Journey Continues…Reflect, Renew, and Respond.” The event is free and open to the public. The gathering also offers lunch, a Black History Month T-shirt, networking opportunities and more.
Info: bit.ly/TwinCitiesUnitedBHM
Open House: Celebrating Black History
6-9 pm @ Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 3rd Ave. S., Mpls.
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts (Mia) and Urban Agenda are inviting community members to kick off this month of celebrating Black identities with an evening of art. The Sounds of Blackness will perform as they process through the museum’s galleries, also enjoy a community meal, art-making and an all-ages dance party.
Info: bit.ly/MiaBHMOpenHouse
TPT’s “Jim Crow of the North”: Screening and Discussion
7-9 pm @ Progressive Baptist Church, 1505 Burns Ave., St. Paul
Community members are invited to a screening of the TPT documentary “Jim Crow of the North” (56 minutes) and a short discussion.
The documentary charts the progression of racist policies and practices from the start of restrictive deed agreements after the turn of the last century to their final elimination in the late 1960s. Free and open to the public.
Info: bit.ly/JimCrowscreening
February 8
TCBFF Black History Month Book Fair
9:30 am-5:30 pm @ Barnes & Noble, 118 East Broadway, Ste. 238, Bloomington
Calling all book lovers! Shop for Black history literature, while also raising funds for the Twin Cities Black Film Festival (TCBFF). For every person who stops by and mentions TCBFF and purchases something, a portion of the proceeds is donated to TCBFF. There will also be giveaways and other fun surprises.
Info: bit.ly/TCBFFBookFair
Art & Literature Exhibition
11 am – 2 pm @ George Latimer Central Library, 90 4th St. W., St. Paul
As a celebration of Black art and literature, this event will feature Melvin Carter Jr., (“Diesel Heart: An Autobiography”), Josie Johnson (“Hope in the Struggle”), and Prof. Mahmoud El-Kati (“Towards An African Education”). Guests will have an opportunity to talk to the authors and get their purchased books autographed.
The event, part of a partnership with St. Paul Public Library, is one of three gatherings planned in celebration of Ujamaa Place’s 10 years of service to men and the community and in celebration of Black history and culture.
Info: bit.ly/2v2pBS0
February 11
Who Killed Emmett Till? Film Screening and Q&A
3-6:15 pm @ Metropolitan State University, 700 East 7th St., St. Paul
Metropolitan State University will host a reception and viewing of the film “Who Killed Emmett Till” that covers the murder of Till, a 14-year-old Black boy murdered by White men for allegedly whistling at a White woman in the 1950s.
A Q&A session with Mrs. Deborah Watts, the cousin of Emmett Till, will follow the film screening.
Please note that due to the graphic images and discussion, the film is not recommended for children under 13 years of age. A reception with a meal will begin at 3 pm, with the film viewing and Q&A to follow at 4:30 pm.
Info: bit.ly/EmmettTillDoc
February 13
History Maker at Home Featured Speaker: Tracey Williams-Dillard
12 pm @ City Hall Rotunda, 350 S. 5th St. in Mpls.
As part of the City’s Black History Month celebration, the Minneapolis Black Employee Network will showcase six “History Makers at Home” honorees for their contributions to the advancement of equity, diversity, and culture. At this event, Tracey Williams-Dillard, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder publisher and CEO of the oldest continuing Black paper in the state, will take center stage to offer encouraging words for future generations. Music and light refreshments will also be offered and attendees will be invited to visit the City’s exhibit on the MSR on the A-level. (See above listing).
Info: www.minneapolismn.gov/civilrights
Black History Month Movie Night
6-8:30 pm @ Central Gym, 3400 4th Ave. S., Mpls.
Every Thursday in February the community is invited to a free movie screening in celebration of Black history. The screenings are sponsored by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board and Green Central School. Bring the family and friends out to enjoy a communal gathering to honor the season.
Info: bit.ly/MPRBBHM
The Gathering
12-2 pm @ Mama Sheila’s House of Soul Food Restaurant, 3744 Bloomington Ave., Mpls.
Be a part of The Gathering, a special live taping by the Twin Cities Radio Network in honor of Black History Month. Every Thursday throughout February, the network will tape its community show entitled ICARE (Increasing Community Awareness Responsibility Education) and the community is invited to take part in the live recording.
Info: Email wesleyx59@yahoo.com or call 612-385-9139
February 14
Osseo Speaks: A Black History Month Showcase
5:30 pm @ Osseo Senior High School, 317 2nd Ave. NW, Osseo
Osseo Senior High will open its doors for this scholar-driven event honoring the historic contributions of the past, while fostering a better present and future. The event begins at 5:30 pm with a community dinner, followed by a showcase of performances by Osseo Senior High scholars and guest artists centered on celebrating Black culture, innovators and contributors in history.
There will also be curated art exhibits featuring the creative work of the scholars. This event is free and open to the public.
Info: bit.ly/OsseoSpeaks
Find more events and add your own on msrnewsonline.com/events
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