10 Ways To Celebrate Black History Month

From movies to speakers to fantastic food, Bergen is gearing up to honor Black history all February long.
Cheryl De Leon,
1 Black History Month

 

Black History Month has expanded from a small observance in 1970 into a month-long celebration of Black culture and community. This February, we commemorate the theme “African Americans and the Arts,” which focuses on the impact the Black community has made in visual arts, music, cultural movements and more. If you are looking for a way to join in the celebration, organizations all over Bergen have you covered.

Whether you are looking for something joyous or a program that’s educational, here are some events where you can observe Black History Month around our county:

Events hosted by Bergen County

  • Feb. 6: In partnership with the Bergen Community College (BCC), Bergen County is holding a Black History Month celebration at the BCC Moses Meeting and Training Center from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Join them for speaker and presentations highlighting the impact African Americans have had on cultural movements and moments.

Events hosted by Bergen Community College

  • Feb. 8: Sponsored by the Hotel & Restaurant Management Program, the Bergen Bistro Black History Month Luncheon raises funds for Bergen Institute for the Creative Arts (BICA) activities. Stop by at noon for great food and a great cause.
  • Feb. 13: Drop in for the free Black High Tea at 12:30 p.m. to sip a beverage, nibble some snacks and learn about both African tea traditions and the development of the African American Tea Ceremony.
  • Feb. 22: The college is holding an information session on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
  • Feb. 27: Enjoy a wide sampling of food and a talk on Black Americans and the Culinary Arts from the American Revolution until present day. The event begins at noon. Registration is required.

Events hosted by local libraries

  • Feb. 8: Teaneck Public Library hosts Scott Pleasants, Teaneck’s poet laureate, for the Teaneck Meets the Harlem Renaissance event. Beginning at 7 p.m., this event will feature students and community members reading the words of the greatest poets and writers out of Harlem.
  • Feb. 8, 15, 22: Join the Englewood Library’s 7th annual Black History Month Film Festival. After each film, there will be time for audience discussion. Stop by on Feb. 8 to see Hotel Rwanda, Feb. 15 for the documentary I Am Not Your Negro, and on Feb. 22 for the film Till. The screenings begin at 2 p.m.
  • Feb. 22: For a musical celebration, join educator and musician Reggie Pitman at the Teaneck Library for the African American Changes through Music presentation. This program includes a live band and begins at 7 p.m.
  • Feb. 29: Public Health Advisor from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Onaje Salim comes to the Teaneck Library for a discussion of “The Historical Quest for African American Mental Health and Well-Being.” The talk begins at 7 p.m.

Event hosted by the Jamaica Organization of New Jersey (JON-J)

  • Feb. 17: For a cultural celebration that includes dancing, singing and spoken word, join JON-J for their Black History Month celebration at the Words of Wisdom Church in Teaneck. The festivities begin at 5 p.m., and refreshments will be served.

How will you honor Black History Month in Bergen? Tell us on Instagram @bergenmagnj.

Categories: Bergen Health & Life