Planning a Black History Month Event? Here Are 12 Ways to Get Creative

An image from the film Naked Acts (1996). 

Host a screening of a groundbreaking black film and invite a filmmaker or actor to talk about their experience.

There are so many groundbreaking Black films that many have yet to see! When considering what to pick, embrace the vast scope of Black stories and experiences and pick something that perhaps doesn’t feature a well-known moment in history. For example, Bridgett M. Davis wrote and directed the film Naked Acts (1996). Many now consider this film to be one of the first explorations of Black female sexuality and identity and the struggles to live a creative life in film.

Invite a historian to Help you explore a key city or landmark.

Much of our history is wrapped up in what we build together! The city of Harlem, known for the Harlem Renaissance, shaped many influential Black artists and musicians as well as novelists, poets, and thinkers. Scholars like Davarian L. Baldwin spend quite a bit of time recreating what life was like during key moments in history in certain cities. There are also many creative resources like puzzles to help your audience explore historical landscapes in new ways.

Provide information so that your audience can explore their own family’s history.

Lee Hawkins was able to uncover 400 years of his family’s history after taking a genetic DNA test. With guidance through the challenges and joys of uncovering Black family records, what might your audience be able to uncover? Ask an expert to outline some of the key tips and resources necessary to take on a Black genealogy project.

Ask a black music expert to turn up the tunes.

Beyoncé. Michael Jackson. Aretha Franklin… Many of the songs we all enjoy were created by Black musicians and singers. In fact, experts like Danyel Smith have revealed how Black women undeniably shaped pop music as we know it today. Bring in someone who can talk about how the songs we know and love changed history.

Art by Joel Christian Gill from Stamped from the Beginning: A Graphic History of Racist Ideas in America

Invite a black artist or scholar to experience black history through art.

Art invites us to see life through a new perspective. Art can also be a way for many different ages to engage with a topic. Explore history through the eyes of an artist like Joel Christian Gill or ask and author to share a personal story through art like Hafizah Augustus Geter.

Step into the future and the past with Afro-Futurism.

Afrofuturism expresses notions of Black identity, agency and freedom through art, creative works and activism that envision liberated futures for Black life. The term Afrofuturism has only been around since 1993, but Afrofuturist thought has been percolating since the 19th century. Invite a scholar or author like John Jennings to help your audience go Black to the future.

Amplify the untold stories of Black History.

In the United States, much of our easily accessible historical record was shaped by White folks. What new stories might your audience learn about by inviting a private historical detective like Amrita Chakrabarti Myers or Jasmine Brown to speak? Through their research, we now know the incredible stories of so many Black female leaders and influential figures who were almost left out of history.

Celebrate Black joy.

Black History Month is a wonderful recognition of Black accomplishments throughout history. However, Black life continues to happen every day! When considering voices to champion during Black History Month, you may want to consider amplifying an advocate of Black joy. For example, authors like Kai Harris make it their goal to make sure there are Black stories for every reader.

Faylita Hicks performing spoken word poetry. 

Shake things up by booking a performance artist in honor of black history month.

Invite a performer to invigorate your audience with a performance in honor of Black History Month. You could also host a poetry slam featuring rising Black poets! Spoken word artists like Faylita Hicks and Tony Keith Jr. are usually excited to curate a performance based on a particular theme. Your audience might event get a chance to see history made before them if new poetry is formed during the event.

Provide a platform for current history makers to tell you about their work.

Alongside the Black Lives Matter movement, courageous Black mobile journalists documented what we needed to see and hear in order to stand up and demand change. Allissa V. Richardson and other scholars have worked hard to document the movers and shakers behind the scenes, but there are still so many unheard stories from everyday activists and changemakers.

Recreate a historic event and invite an expert to come set the scene.

There are many lesser-known yet hugely impactful moments in Black history. A great example is the 1965 Baldwin-Buckley debate about whether or not the American Dream is at the expense of the American Negro. Authors like Nicholas Buccola have painstakingly recreated the nuances of that time through extensive research. You can have your audience watch a recording or account of the event and then host a fireside chat with a scholar or expert to learn more about what really happened.

Host an event about the Future you want to cultivate.

When planning events for Black History Month, it’s important to also consider the future you want to help your audience cultivate. Many mistakes were made in the past, but what we do in the present changes the future. Consider inviting a speaker to highlight the transformative power of working toward healing and liberation for everyone like Jamilah Pitts.

Ayesha Pande