BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — Cultural institutions and community organizations throughout Brooklyn are celebrating Black History Month with a series of art installations and performances honoring African-American culture.
From first black congresswoman Shirley Chisholm to filmmaker Spike Lee, the borough has been home to countless iconic figures.
For those looking to explore the Brooklyn events, here’s a list of what's going on.
Did we miss any events in your neighborhood? Let us know in the comments below.
► After Afropolitan
Weeksville Heritage Center, 158 Buffalo Avenue
Feb. 4 to March 6
The exhibition explores the African diaspora experience, tackling questions such as, “What aspects of our experiences fall outside the Afropolitan gaze?” and “How has ‘Afropolitan’ crystallized aspects of our genius?”
An opening will be held on Feb. 4 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Featured artists will also hold guided talks on Feb. 7 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Feb. 24 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
On Feb. 21, performances, screenings and a conference with authors, journalists, scholars and artists will showcase the global African diaspora.
► Black History Month: Living Legacy
Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway
Feb. 7, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
As part of Target First Saturdays, the Brooklyn Museum offers free art and entertainment for Black History Month with pop-up gallery talks, live music, films and hands-on art classes.
Attendees can listen to jazz from New Orleans band Water Seed, watch an animated documentary-in-progress that addresses racial identity, or use fabric to design a quilt inspired by people and events in African American culture.
► THIRTY PLUS THIRTY EQUALS SIXTY
Skylight Gallery, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration, 1368 Fulton Street
Through Feb. 14
The African-American and Caribbean art exhibition is produced by Linda Sutton-Jones and salutes artists who enriched her life through their contributions.
Sutton-Jones first served as director of Brooklyn’s Afro-American Caribbean Culture Center and went on to create Gallerie St. Charles in the borough and Gallerie Henlopen in Maryland.
► African Dancing & Folktales
Saratoga Library, 8 Thomas S. Boyland St.
Feb. 19, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Storyteller and dancer Caren Calder performs traditional African folktales to the beat of a live percussionist. Children can learn African traditional dance following the event.
► Black History Month Reading Circle
Canarsie Library, 1580 Rockaway Pkwy.
Feb. 19, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Teens are encouraged to bring their favorite poem, play, essay or novel by a great African American writer, or speech by a great African American leader to read aloud and discuss with the group. Personal writings are also welcome.
► "They Marched Yesterday For A Such A Time As This"
Von King Cultural Arts Center, 670 Lafayette Avenue
Feb. 21, 4 p.m to 6 p.m.
Vincent Bohanan & The Sound of Victory Fellowship Choir make a special appearance in this musical presentation celebrating the lives of the Civil Rights Movement foot soldiers.
► Black Business in Brooklyn – Legacy & Longevity
Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon St.
Feb. 26, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The event from Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams honors African-American businesses in Brooklyn that have been around for more than 20 years.
New businesses will also be showcased at an expo from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
RSVP by Feb. 20th at 718-802-4042.
► Black Artstory Month
Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership
Feb 1. through Feb. 28
The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership kicks off their annual Black Artstory month with free film screenings, art exhibits and performances in Fort Greene, Clinton Hill and Wallabout.
Programs include “These Hands Built: A Musical Performance and Art Installation” which tells the stories of African-American workers of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and “I Cried Power!”, a digital media and live sound installation reimagining “the concept of Afrofuturism” in the wake of the city’s recent police violence.
► Black History at Green-Wood
Green-Wood Cemetery, 500 25th Street
Feb. 28 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Green-Wood hosts a trolley tour with historian Jeff Richman to examine the life and accomplishments of prominent black New Yorkers, including several abolitionists, buried at the site.
Stops include Susan Smith McKinney Steward, the first black female doctor in the state; Jeremiah Hamilton, New York’s first black millionaire; and civil war heroes and survivors.
► Sunday Screenings: Brooklyn Boheme
Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont St.
Feb. 1 through Feb. 28
Every Sunday in February, the Brooklyn Historical Society will provide a free screening of “Brooklyn Boheme,” a documentary written and narrated by Fort Greene resident Nelson George.
The film follows the African-American art community in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill during the 1980s and '90s, with celebrity interviews including Spike Lee and Chris Rock.
