The month of February is dedicated to acknowledging and appreciating the many contributions and untold stories of African Americans throughout history. There will be plenty of Black History Month events in Tacoma worth checking out, like the Grand Cinema's lineup of films celebrating black filmmakers, actors, and writers. Additionally, the Karshner Museum will feature a culture and arts family festival celebrating the impact of African American history on our society. Find a complete list of Black History Month events below, or on our Black History Month calendar.
FEBRUARY 4-29
Black History Month at The Grand Cinema
Tacoma's arthouse theater celebrates Black History Month with a tremendous lineup of films that includes Us, To Sleep With Anger, Candyman, Attack the Block, and more. These films will be part of the theater's Tuesday Film Series, Weird Elephant Series, and Classic Film Series for the month.
The Grand Cinema
FEBRUARY 8
Black History Month Culture & Arts Family Festival
This family festival will span the full range of African American history and art through music, dance, and theater. Explore the impact of soul music from Duke Ellington to Aretha Franklin to Marvin Gaye and Prince. Additionally, the Book-It Theatre of Seattle will perform Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, and Maya Soleil Tradition will present acoustic African songs and dancers from western and south-central Africa. Pacific Northwest African American quilters will also have quilts on display and square-making demonstrations for attending students.
Karshner Museum
FEBRUARY 20
Scholarly Selections: "You are a man of science now, Wash."
The University of Washington Tacoma senior lecturer in history, Libi Sundermann, Ph.D., will speak about the Esi Edugyan novel Washington Black. As part of the school's Scholarly Selections program, Dr. Sundermann will examine how Edugyan's novel uncovers the ways in which contributions to science and society claimed by European scientists were actually made by enslaved peoples in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Washington State History Museum
FEBRUARY 21
Black History Celebration
This second annual community event will feature a mix of African American dance, song, artwork, spoken-word performances, and more.
People's Community Center
FEBRUARY 28
Black History Month Celebration
Evergreen State College Tacoma celebrates Black History Month with a mix of historical performances, live music, and locally prepared food. This all-ages event is free to the public and to students alike.
Evergreen State College Tacoma
THROUGH MARCH 15
Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth.
This traveling Smithsonian show highlights the achievements of African American men, from the Harlem Hellfighters to John Coltrane to LeBron James. Additionally, men of change local to Tacoma will be honored with an award ceremony on February 29.
Washington State History Museum
