Black History Month events in the Twin Cities: Feb. 1-8

The MSR celebrates Black history 365 days a year and enjoys a living legacy as one of the state’s oldest Black businesses. Below we’ve compiled a few events for this week to explore and celebrate Black history. Each week we will highlight free or low-cost events in the community.

​February 1

TESTIFY: Americana from Slavery to Today
Minneapolis Central Library Cargill Gallery, 300 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.
6-8 pm (runs until March 29)
Presented by former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice and NFL Hall of Famer Alan Page and his daughter, marketing and communications professional Georgi Page-Smith, the groundbreaking exhibit TESTIFY returns to the Minneapolis Central Library. The exhibit features more than 100 artifacts and works of art designed to foster dialogue and inspire justice.
For more info, visit bit.ly/TESTIFYHCL2023

February 2

Moving to Minnesota: The Migration and Immigration Experience
City of Minneapolis Public Service Building, Conference Room 100, 505 4th Ave. S., Mpls.
Noon-1 pm
This is the first of four City of Minneapolis Black History Month events to be held consecutively on Thursdays in February 2023.
For more info, visit bit.ly/MplsBHM2023

Rondo Night
Landmark Center Cortile, 75 West 5th St., St. Paul
5-9:30 pm
The Saint Paul Winter Carnival presents Rondo Night. Learn more about the history of the Rondo neighborhood, sample foods from the Taste of Rondo Bar & Grill, enjoy performances by Rondo-based artists and support BIPOC artisans, businesses, and organizations. Rondo Night is free and open to the public.
For more info, visit www.wintercarnival.com/events/rondo-night

First Thursday Film: Lowndes County and the Road to Black Power
The Capri Theater, 2027 W. Broadway Ave., Mpls.
7-9 pm
Join director Sam Pollard and MSP Film Society programmer Craig Laurence Rice for the Capri Theater’s First Thursday Film presentation of “Lowndes County and the Road to Black Power.” This critically acclaimed 2022 documentary features archival footage and first-person accounts of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee’s (SNCC) voting rights work in Lowndes County, Alabama, and the birth of the Black Power Movement. Pollard and Rice will lead a post-screening discussion. Tickets are $5 (free for Northside residents) and are available at the door.
For more info, visit bit.ly/FirstThursdaysBlackPower

A Darker Wilderness Book Launch
Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Mpls.
7-10 pm
The Great Northern Festival presents a special book launch event for author and editor Erin Sharkey’s collection of essays titled, “A Darker Wilderness: Black Nature Writing from Soil to Stars.” Hear live readings from some of the book’s other contributors including Katie Robinson, Michale Kleber-Diggs, and Tia-Simone Garder. A post-reading conversation will follow.
To get tickets and pre-order the book, visit the Great Northern Festival online.
For more info, visit bit.ly/DarkerWildnerness

February 3

Black Entrepreneurs Day at the Capitol
State Capitol Rotunda, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., St. Paul
10:30 am-1 pm
Black-owned businesses will take center stage at the first-ever “Black Entrepreneurs Day” at the Minnesota State Capitol. Presented by Sheletta Brundidge, podcaster, publisher, and entrepreneur, this half-day event will spotlight the needs of BIPOC small business owners in our state to help to establish an “energized and effective” lobby. In addition to several speakers, state leaders including Governor Walz, Lt. Governor Flanagan, and DEED Commissioner Steve Grove are slated to attend. The event is free and lunch will be served.
Register in advance at shelettamakesmelaugh.com

First Fridays Twin Cities: NOIR – A Black History Month Celebration
Courtyard by Marriott, 1500 Washington Ave. S., Mpls.
8 pm-1 am
February’s First Friday is “an all-Black affair” that will celebrate Black excellence and honor, featuring among others the likes of Walter “Q-Bear” Banks, Tenelle Marie, Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston, and Calandra Revering. The evening’s music will be provided by Dee Jay Glenn. Upscale Black Attire is Mandatory (accent colors are encouraged).
For tickets, visit bit.ly/FirstFridayNOIR

February 4

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Makers Market + Music Fest
56 Brewing, 3055 Columbia Avenue NE, Mpls.
Noon-11 pm
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. is an exclusively Black-owned and Black-fronted musical event. Come help to celebrate Black-owned businesses, boost the vibe, and promote Black joy in the Twin Cities.
For more info, visit bit.ly/RESPECTBHM

Bruce A. Henry Presents a Musical Celebration of African American History
8-9:30 pm
Crooners Supper Club, 6161 Highway 65 NE, Mpls.
Bruce A. Henry and his all-star band will take you on a 400-year journey that highlights the history of Black music from West African folk songs to the early music of America, blues to jazz, and soul to hip hop.
For tickets, go to bit.ly/BruceAHenryAAH

February 6

Bridging the Faultlines: Stories of Racism, Resistance & Repair
Breck School Auditorium, 123 Ottawa Ave. N., Golden Valley
6-9 pm
As a follow-up to the Emmy Award-winning documentary “Jim Crow of the North,” Twin Cities Public Television has a series of documentary shorts known as the “Jim Crow of the North Stories.” The first installment, “Bridging the Faultlines: Program One,” will receive its first public viewing at Breck School. It addresses how restrictive housing covenants have impacted neighborhoods in North Minneapolis and the adjoining community of Golden Valley. This event will also feature music, poetry and refreshments. Admission is free, but advance registration is required.
For more info, visit bit.ly/BridgingFaultlines

February 8

Real Talk Systemic Racism: Black Roots in the Greater Longfellow Neighborhood
Metro State University, Founders Hall Auditorium, 387 Maria Ave., St. Paul
2-4 pm
In May of 1863, the Black population in Minnesota doubled. Learn more about the journey of those enslaved in the southern US and at nearby Ft. Snelling into military service and segregated settlements in the Hiawatha and Longfellow communities from their direct descendants. This event, presented by the International Leadership Institute, includes the screening of a film and a panel discussion.
Admission is free, but advance registration is encouraged at bit.ly/RealTalkBHM