Black History Month is a time to celebrate the stories and achievements of African Americans who have shaped Maryland throughout history. Here are several family-friendly events to explore and honor this rich heritage:
This museum is the State of Maryland’s official museum of African American heritage and their mission is “to document, to interpret, and to promote African American history and culture (particularly in Maryland) through exhibitions, programs, and projects in order to improve the understanding and appreciation of America’s rich cultural diversity for all.” The museum is free and open year-round.
A monthly event for kids ages 2-5 is Day Out at the Museum Storytime, every third Thursday of the month. Expect a read aloud, interactive games, art activities, and light snacks. Pre-K classes and day care groups welcome!
- Thursday, Feb 15, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Our Legacy Tours are led by local historians and focus on the stories, contributions, and legacies of African American heritage in the area. Mrs. Janice Hayes-Williams is the owner and operator and has received accolades and awards for her contributions as Annapolis’ local historian.
Options include walking tours or Hop-on/Hop-off bus tours, with discounts for children and students. Contact Our Legacy Tours to book your tour.
Anne Arundel County Public Library Events:
- A Visit to Kofi’s Village: Explore the sights and sounds of various African percussion instruments through rhythmic drumming patterns, storytelling, call and response, and movement experiences.
- Thursday, Feb 15, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Broadneck Library.
- The ABC’s of Hip Hop Featuring Baba Bomani: Baba Bomani’s program uses rhythm and rhyme to explain basic reading and math concepts, such as how to recognize syllables and showing how a rapper’s flow is simply a number bond math equation!
- Friday, Feb 16, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Brooklyn Park Library
- Saturday, Feb 17, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library
- Wednesday, Feb 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Maryland City at Russett Library
- Bessie Coleman Paper Airplane Rally: Soaring across the sky, Bessie Coleman became the first African American and Native American woman to earn a pilot license in the U.S. Test your high flying skills in her honor–make a paper airplane to test how far, how fast, and how many tricks you can do.
- Saturday, Feb 17, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Crofton Library
- Soul of Langston: Soul of Langston is a one-man show that takes the bittersweet wit and wisdom of Langston Hughes’ poetry and translates it into an inspiring story of resilience and persistence.
- Saturday, Feb 17, 12-1 p.m., Severna Park Library
- Wednesday, Feb 28, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Mountain Road Library
- Black History’s Groundbreaking Geniuses: This show focuses on the brilliance of over a dozen amazing characters from Black History: Scientists like surgeon Daniel Hale Williams, mathematicians like Dorothy Vaughan, Literary Geniuses like Ralph Ellison and Maya Angelou, and artistic geniuses like Alvin Ailey. Performed by Bright Star Touring Theatre.
- Saturday, Feb 24, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library
- Discovery Theater Presents: “Lions of Industry, Mothers of Invention”: This original, interactive play honors the creativity and genius of African American entrepreneurs and inventors – and inspires the achiever in all of us. Come and join a science fair of Carver’s inventions using the peanut, hear Booker T. Washington’s great oratory, and be inspired by the story of the world’s first female, self-made millionaire, Madame C.J. Walker!
- Saturday, Feb 24, 2-3 p.m., Discoveries Library at the Mall
- Movies at the Library: The Wiz (1978): Severna Park Library welcomes you to ease on down the road to a screening of The Wiz (1978). An adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz” that tries to capture the essence of the African-American experience. Rated: G
- Thursday, Feb 22, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Severna Park Library
- BONUS: Choose your next read from AACPL’s list of books on Black History.
Local Food Finds