5 Ways To Commemorate Black History Month In Bergen County

From headwraps to history lessons, soul music to soul food, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Black History Month 2022 close to home.

We’re about halfway through February—what are you doing to honor Black History Month? If you haven’t thought yet about how to support Bergen County’s Black population, we’ve come to the rescue with a half-dozen ideas.

Here are five ways to commemorate Black History Month 2022 across Bergen County.

Tuesday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m. Join former Englewood educator and coach Thomas “Moose” Monroe in the Mackay Room at Englewood Library for a lecture on the rich history of African Americans in our county.

Saturday, Feb. 19, 11–1 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 20 at 1–3 p.m. In a partnership between the Bergen County NAACP and Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, two Bergen locations are hosting pop-up COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites—boosters included. The Saturday event is at Bryant Elementary School in Teaneck, while Sunday’s is at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Englewood. Scan the QR code at THIS LINK to set up your appointment.

Saturday, Feb. 19, 1–3 p.m.  The Art Mora Gallery in Ridgefield Park hosts a BYOB “She Wraps” party featuring a headwrap tutorial, live poets, soul music and more. $20 gets you inside, plus two yards of fabric for your headwrap. Sign up at eventbrite.com.

Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2–4 p.m. Come hungry to the Soul Food Cooking Workshop and Tasting hosted by Bergen Community College in Paramus. Professor Aaron Morrisey and Professor Ronda Drakeford will host this tasting at the Pitkin Building.

Thursday, Feb. 24, 7–8:30 p.m. Arnold E. Brown, JD, lifelong community activist and noted Bergen County historian, will be hosting this pre-recorded lecture titled “African American Footprints in Bergen County: 1600-1900” presented by the Teaneck Public Library. Sign up online to receive the link to the Zoom.

If you’d rather show your support on your own schedule, check out these virtual presentations for Black History Month that were put together by the students of the Hackensack school district.

How will you be commemorating Black History Month? Tell us on Instagram @bergenmagnj!