February is Black History Month! Throughout history, there have been many people who have positively shaped our nation. These individuals come from all walks of life, and February shines a light on the impact African Americans have had on the world, offering a time to reflect on and celebrate these accomplishments. Annapolis and the greater Anne Arundel County area offer several ways to learn more.
Anne Arundel County Public Library
The Anne Arundel County Public Library has a jam-packed calendar of featured events for Black History Month. Crownsville Through the Ages takes a deep dive into the history of Crownsville Hospital. The Uncle Devin Show, a live performance, uses jazz and funk to support children’s learning. For adults, the Black Excellence in Film Series will screen four movies throughout the month. These are just a few, so head over to the AACPL website for more information!
Historic Annapolis
On February 7, from 11 AM to 3 PM, the Museum of Historic Annapolis will host a special Black History Month celebration. The Race and Rights guided tour, offered at 11 AM and 2 PM, is a 50-minute guided tour aimed at exploring the impact of African Americans on Annapolis’ history. Visitors will have opportunities to meet living historians, athletes, and authors, as well as craft, go on a scavenger hunt, or get started on a good book.
250 Years of Black History in Annapolis
The City of Annapolis has launched a special anniversary, “Rooted in Revolution: 250 Years of Black History in Annapolis”, a four-part public history and cultural series. Taking place each Tuesday in February, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Michael E. Bush Annapolis Library, this series will examine Black Annapolitans’ lasting achievements, leadership, resistance, and cultural legacy, from the colonial era to the present. “Rooted in Revolution” will link local Black history to national struggles for freedom, civil rights, and democracy through historical lectures, moderated debates, multimedia storytelling, and community participation.
Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum
Stop by the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum to see “She Speaks: Black Women Artists and the Power of Historical Memory”, a visual presentation that celebrates the 250-year history of the USA through a Black Feminine lens, bringing together both local and international works of art. Looking to do something from home? The African American History & Heritage in Anne Arundel County virtual tour takes you on a journey about local history, through the eyes and thoughts of those who were able to experience the Civil Rights Era firsthand.
Chesapeake Arts Center
Head over to the Chesapeake Arts Center to catch a couple of events throughout the month, such as “TUBMAN: Road to Freedom”, a deeper look into the life and heroics of Harriet Tubman. Cap the month off by visiting the “Gallery Reception for The Power Within: Honoring Black History Month” on February 26 from 6 to 8 PM. This group exhibition pays tribute to the legacies and impacts of Black and African American artists, using artwork to cultivate over a century of experience.
As Black History Month unfolds across Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, there are countless opportunities to learn, reflect, and celebrate the stories that have shaped our nation. From lectures and films to tours, performances, and visual art, each event offers a meaningful way to honor Black history and the individuals whose courage, creativity, and leadership continue to inspire change today. Whether you explore in person or join virtually, take the time to engage with these experiences, broaden your perspective, and carry the spirit of remembrance and celebration with you all year long.
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