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COMMUNITY

All Power to the People: Remembering the Legacy of the Black Panther Party Past Event Like List
Former Black Panther Kent Ford and community members have put together a three-day program of talks, screenings, a newly commissioned solo play, and more that draw links from the party’s 10-Point Program to the challenges we face today.
Cerimon House, Alberta Arts District (Feb 11-13)

In My Shoes: Walking Tour Storytelling Project Past Event Like List
In honor of Black History Month, Word Is Bond (an organization whose goal is "creating positive relationships between young Black men and law enforcement") presents a storytelling campaign featuring nine walking tours in neighborhoods across Portland designed to highlight the "voices, dreams, and experiences of rising Black men" and the neighborhoods they call home.
Various locations (Feb 5-26)

OMSI After Dark: Rise Past Event Like List
Rise up in support of freedom and equality at this social justice night where you can catch the Nelson Mandela exhibit before it closes, check out science demos, see a Beyoncé laser show, enjoy music from Freeform Portland DJs, and listen to lectures from community organizations Don't Shoot Portland, Black United Fund, Engage to Change, and In4All. 
OMSI, Central Eastside (Wed Feb 9)

Trail Blazers Celebration of Black History Past Event Like List
The main event for Rip City's Celebration of Black History will take place at their February 12th game vs. the Knicks, where, in addition to cheering the 'Zers to a W, you can see a pre-game concert, take part in their fundraising effort for the nonprofit Black Educational Achievement Movement, and score a free beanie. The team dubbed their game against the Nuggets on February 27th HBCU Night, where they will celebrate local HBCU and D9 alumni. Additionally, you'll be able to enjoy a free meal at local Black-owned eateries—Batter on Deck (Feb 11) and Kiss Coffee (Feb 19)—courtesy of the team.
Moda Center, Lloyd District (Sat Feb 12)

FILM

32nd Annual Cascade Festival of African Films Past Event Like List
This local film festival, which shows African films made by African filmmakers and encourages Western viewers to engage authentically with African cultures, will offer a mix of in-person and virtual screenings this year. The program, which lasts for over a month, includes acclaimed films like Ephraim Asili’s The Inheritance, Sundance favorites like Suzannah Mirghani Al-Sit, and many others.
Virtual via Portland Community College (Feb 4-Mar 5)

Clinton Street Theater Presents Past Event Like List
The civic-minded movie theater will screen several landmark films from the Black cinema canon throughout Black History Month, including Melvin Van Peebles’s landmark work Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971), the feminist feature Cleopatra Jones (1973), The Color Purple (1985), and more.
Clinton Street Theater, Hosford-Abernethy (Feb 11-24)

Summer of Soul in 35mm Past Event Like List
Portland Black Film Festival presents a brand new 33mm print of Questlove's directorial debut Summer of Soul (2021). The documentary, which is part music film and part historical record, celebrates Black history with found footage of the Harlem Cultural Festival in 1969. Never-before-seen performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly & the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, B.B. King, and more are sure to get you groovin', even in the confines of your theater seat. 
Hollywood Theatre, Hollywood District (Feb 11-12)

Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America Past Event Like List
Civil rights lawyer and ACLU deputy legal director Jeffery Robinson paints a portrait of the United States and its foundation on white supremacy that The Austin Chronicle writes "should be part of the standard curriculum in every school in America." The SXSW Documentary Spotlight Audience Award winner weaves together lecture, personal anecdotes, interviews, and more to "draw a stark timeline from slavery to modern America."
Cinema 21, Nob Hill (Feb 11-17)

READINGS & TALKS

Black History Month Forum (What Does Black History Month Mean To You?) Past Event Like List
Join Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, City African American Network (CAAN), Imagine Black, and the Coalition of Black Men for a panel discussion on a range of "topics related to the Black experience" and what Black History Month means to them. 
Virtual via City African American Network (Mon Feb 7)

Barbershop Talk: Health and Wellness Past Event Like List
This facilitated open forum aims to strengthen personal and communal wellness by talking it out. A panel of Multnomah County Library staff, Nick Herrick (a social worker and co-chair for the Behavioral Health DEI committee at Providence Portland), and Cary Pratt Jr. (a licensed medical assistant and barber) will examine health and wellness in the African diaspora before opening the floor for folks to talk about the "interests, fears, and misconceptions that our community experiences."
Virtual via Multnomah County Library (Wed Feb 23)

CAAN Black History Month Panels Past Event Like List
The City African American Network (CAAN) hosts a series of panel discussions—related to the Black experience (Feb 15), highlighting the experiences of city employees who do not hold leadership roles (Feb 17), and examining past and present city employees' experiences (Feb 23).
Virtual via City African American Network (Feb 15-23)

PDX Women in Tech Presents: Black History & Black Futures Happy Hour Past Event Like List
PDX Women in Tech will explore the roles that community and network building play in shaping careers, since, as they point out—"career successes don't happen in a vacuum." This lunch hour event will feature flash talks from Dr. Amber Lenon (astrophysicist and data analyst at iRobot) and Tanisha Payne (software engineer at Puppet), highlights of Black-led organizations in the PNW and beyond, and some networking. 
Virtual via PDXWIT (Tues Feb 16)

Stones, Bones and Black-Eyed Peas Past Event Like List
Multnomah County Library's Black Cultural Library Advocates presents a cooking demonstration with the traditional foods and recipes of enslaved African Americans along with an exploration of their modern interpretations. Chef and owner of Finer Things Events and Catering Michelle Guinn and her daughter Sable Askew will offer a glimpse of American history through a culinary lens. 
Virtual via Multnomah County Library (Thurs Feb 10)

PERFORMANCE

5th Annual Black Love Day: A Comedy Show Past Event Like List
This formal event is in its fifth year running—it's held as a fundraiser for the nonprofit Black Community of Portland and an expression of love for the Black community. Walk a red carpet where you'll have your photos taken before sitting down to a catered dinner from Rose City Eats and a stand-up show featuring Portland comics GA Wade, Sir Lance Edward, Imani Kent, plus Boe Blast visiting from Tacoma and Tawanna B. from Seattle. 
The Suite Spot, Old Town-Chinatown (Sun Feb 13)

BOYeurism presents DECADENCE Past Event Like List
Acclaimed revue BOYeurism presents a very special edition of their show in celebration of Black excellence and magic. An all-star POC cast will entertain, inspire, and make you inquire with acts ranging from cabaret and burlesque to aerial performance to music. Plus, it's co-producer Isaiah Esquire's birthday, so you know they're gonna turn it out.
Bossanova Ballroom, Buckman (Fri Feb 11)

The 6th Annual NW Black Comedy Festival Past Event Like List
The most expansive iteration yet, this year's festival features 11 showcases and two live podcasts with over 60 Black comics from all over the world. Showcases will run the gamut, from "Young Gunz," which brings "newer but polished comics" to the stage to "House of Hyjinx Heavy Hitters," bringing on seasoned headliners.
Alberta Abbey and Curious Comedy Theater (Feb 17-20)

Black & Beautiful Past Event Like List
Flawless Shade and her drag daughter Kwanzaa Shade plus fellow performers Sheniqua Volt and Cruz Daniels will celebrate Black queerness and share its history.
Kelly’s Olympian, Downtown (Sat Feb 12)

VISUAL ART

Black Lives Matter Artist Grant Exhibition Past Event Like List
Showcasing works by 20 artists, this exhibition makes a "financial and intellectual investment in artwork borne out of a continuing, centuries-long fight for Black autonomy, freedom, and most notably, life." The artists who were awarded funding range from emerging to established in their careers, but all of them "demonstrate a commitment to social justice" within their practices. Find yourself experiencing a shift in perspective while viewing recorded performances by AnAkA, comics by Steven Christian, multimedia from Sharita Towne, and many more socially engaged pieces.
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Portland State University (Feb 1-28)

The Numberz's Black History Bodega Past Event Like List
This Black History Month edition of Numz Bodega Past Event Like List will feature a live set by DJ Ashe and new merch from Zero8one5, RootsNRooftops, Mister OK's Essentials, The XI Brand, and more. 
Portland Art Museum, South Park Blocks (Sat Feb 12)

We Had Jazz Past Event Like List
A collection of 30 images by local photographer Carl Henniger depicts Portland's golden age of jazz, circa 1948-1956. During this era, Henninger photographed the likes of Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Count Basie for Down Beat magazine.
Collins Gallery (at the Central Library), Downtown (Feb 1-28)

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