The Ninth Annual Citywide Black History Celebration brings dozens of special events, with familiar favorites and new programs. The February events will highlight local Black history, culture, art and …
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The Ninth Annual Citywide Black History Celebration brings dozens of special events, with familiar favorites and new programs. The February events will highlight local Black history, culture, art and music in Dover, Del. All events are free and open to the public.
Daily State News proudly hosts the annual program in partnership with all of the host venues and nonprofits.
Many events happen in early February, so plan your calendar now!
All people are warmly welcomed to Biggs Museum of American Art, with free admission all month (thanks to Dover Federal Credit Union). First, the museum highlights Rozeal., a groundbreaking Black contemporary artist, known for her intricate works that merge traditional Japanese art styles with modern cultural themes in the featured exhibition gallery, “Want Not: Rescue from the Otherwise Obscene, Salvation from the Wicked.” Also look for the guided museum tour (Feb. 1); drop-in all-ages creativity day (Feb. 1); and book club discussion of “Memphis” by Tara Stringfellow (Feb. 2).
First State Heritage Park invites the public to its home base of the John Bell House all month. Learn about the Black Americans who physically dug and crafted Delaware’s own National wildlife refuge in “Company 3269-C: The Story of the CCC at Bombay Hook” (Feb. 1). Also, every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in February will feature the guided “Hidden Lives: Slavery, Freedom, and the Green” walking tours, which shares the rarely-told stories of people of color as an integral part of the Dover community across its 300-plus years of history.
Delaware Historical & Cultural Affairs opens the Old State House as local historian Syl Woolford presents “Paul Robeson’s Sacrifice,” a lecture about the racial activism of this multitalented 20th-century singer and actor (Feb. 1)
Delaware State University will host the daylong Black Male Initiative Conference for high school and college-aged young men on Feb. 20.
Inner City Cultural League presents “Celebrating Black History through the Arts,” an exciting showcase of dancing, drumming, singing and arts, from all ages—always an audience delight at Sankofa Cultural Arts Center (Feb. 8). All ages are also welcome to a science-centric day of creativity at “Making Space for our History” (Feb. 22, reservations required).
Dover Public Library invites local historian Syl Woolford to share the nuances of African Americans participating in the 1800s political process, in Delaware’s own sensational Black political influencer “Joshua Parker: The Godfather of Kent County” (Feb. 4). Anita Smitherman will display and talk about the history of dolls—particularly those of color in “African American Heritage: Through a Doll's Eye” (Feb. 15). Tamara Burks will share how a centuries-old graveyard brought new stories to light in the late 1990s during her time as a historical researcher “African American Archaeology: New York African Burial Ground Project Experience” (Feb. 18). Also, “Share Your Story” all month in a library project to collect stories that recognize the experiences, achievements and legacies of African Americans (all month; public event Feb. 20).
Community partnership is the goal of Citywide Black History Celebration, which started in 2017 by the State News and local community leaders. DonDel Productions is an event partner, and major sponsors include Chesapeake Utilities and Dover Federal Credit Union.
Visit www.DelmarvaEvents.net for a full schedule and detailed information. The “Citywide Black History Celebration” program book is online at BaytoBayNews.com/SpecialSections. It will also be found at partner venues.