Black History Month in OKC - MetroFamily Magazine
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Black History Month in OKC

Oklahoma Contemporary, Installation view of Robert Peterson’s Imperfectly perfect, together (2023) and Isaac Diaz’s Parcas (2023).

Reading Time: 6 minutes 

February is Black History Month which means organizations across the metro are hosting a variety of family-friendly events and exhibitions for families who want to explore Black history and culture. Here are several local events and museum exhibitions happening in the Oklahoma City metro.

(Editor’s note: This is a working list last updated Jan. 4, 2023. Check back often for updates. If you know of any events not included in this list, please let us know by emailing tips@metrofamilymagazine.com.)

Learn

Jan. 12-March 1

Freedom Fridays at Greenwood Rising History Center (23 N Greenwood Ave, Tulsa) features free admission for adult Oklahoma residents. Explore the history of Tulsa’s historic Greenwood District and the spirit of its Black citizens. Proof of residency required. Student and child admission applies. Fridays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Jan. 13-Feb. 25

FREE Crowns Tea at Metropolitan Libraries (various locations) celebrates the rich tradition of church hats and is a tribute to the book, “Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats” by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry. Adults and adult-supervised youth are welcome. Preregister. See website for schedule.

Feb. 1-29

Explore the Code: Bill Pickett at the National Cowboy Museum (1700 NE 63rd St). Learn more about Bill Pickett’s rodeo story and create a steer to take with you. Free with admission. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Feb. 4

FREE Homecoming – A Story of African American Farmers at Del City Library (4330 SE 15th St, Del City) features a screening of the film that explores the rural roots of African American life. Preregister, space is limited. 2-3 p.m.

Feb. 9

BLAC Inc. presents: Ailey II at OCCC Visual and Performing Arts Center (7777 S May Ave) features a fresh perspective on Mr. Ailey’s legacy as one of the most popular modern dance companies. $20 & up. 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 10

FREE Second Saturday at Oklahoma Contemporary (11 NW 11th St) features a family-focused day of art-making, performances and gallery adventures celebrating Descendants of the Black 1000 and Black History Month. 1-4 p.m.

FREE The Impact of Black People in Oklahoma program at Full Circle Bookstore (1900 NW Expressway) features educator and author Rochelle Stephney-Roberson. She will covers historical Black schools in Oklahoma such as Langston University, Douglass High School in Oklahoma City, and Booker T. Washington School in Tulsa. 3 p.m.

FREE We Are the Roots: Film Screening & Discussion at Oklahoma Contemporary (11 NW 11th St) features short films by Solomon Sir Jones, Melinda James and Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, followed by the documentary We Are the Roots: Black Settlers and Their Experiences of Discrimination on the Canadian Prairies. 6 p.m.

Feb. 11

FREE Make & Take – Natural Hair Oil at Capitol Hill Library (327 SE 27th St). Learn how to make hair oil using natural ingredients. Best suited for teens & adults. 2-3 p.m.

Feb. 22

FREE African Batik with Natural Dyes at Northwest Library (5600 NW 122nd St). Learn about how African artisans have taken this traditionally Javanese technique and made it their own. Best suited for ages 12-18. Preregister. 6-7 p.m.

FREE Black History Month Through Film at Belle Isle Library (5501 N Villa Ave) features OETA’s documentaries that delve into black history in Oklahoma, from Langston University, which opened even before Oklahoma became a state, to the trailblazers of Oklahoma’s Civil Rights movement, such as Roscoe Dungee, Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher, and Clara Luper. 6:30-8 p.m.

Feb. 26

FREE The Urban Poets – Black History Month at the Ralph Ellison Library (2000 NE 23rd St) features an open mic night for local poets. In February, there will be a movie screening and discussion. 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Bonus: 

The Oklahoma City Thunder is celebrating Black History Month by hosting an artwork contest for students. Students in grades 9-12 are invited to submit artwork inspired by an experience, a moment or an individual in Black history. Winners will be chosen during the Thunder game on Feb. 27. Winners get Thunder gear, a play autographed item, plaque and game tickets. Entry deadline is Feb. 5th.

Listen to this Raising OKC Kids podcast about the historic opening of the Greenwood Rising Museum in Tulsa. Philip Keith Armstrong, interim executive director of the museum, talks about the impact of this world-class facility.

The Conversation Workshops, a locally-based grassroots effort to provide insight about race and its effects on our social, economic and political contexts, offers a guide to learn about Black leaders, historic and modern-day, every day this month, plus links for music, interviews and more that illustrations how Black history is a shared history.


See

Through April 1

FREE Descendants of the Black 1000: Flight from Oklahoma Black Towns to Canada at Oklahoma Contemporary (11 NW 11th St) features the work of Canadian artists Donna Paris and David Ofori Zapparoli, whose collaborative project foregrounds untold stories that trace the historical movement of Black communities over time. A selection of 12 photographs with corresponding oral history audio recordings reveal the deep connections between Black Canadians and Oklahoma. Wednesday-Monday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thursday, until 9 p.m.

Through April 21

Discover Greatness: An Illustrated History of the Negro Leagues at  Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (507 S Fourth St, Enid) explores the history of Black baseball, through chronological chapters. In February 1920, African American team owners convened at a YMCA in Kansas City to form a league of their own, the Negro National League (NNL). The NNL and the other professional Black baseball leagues that followed created a forum where star players could showcase a style of speed, daring and showmanship that would come to characterize the special excitement of Negro League play. Free with admission. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Ongoing

FREE Inclusion in Art – Spirit of Color from the Oklahoma Hall of Fame (virtual) features works of art by nine prolific artists of color living in Oklahoma, honoring their long-standing commitment to the arts, community, sacrifice and achievements.

FREE The Life of Clara Luper: A Pioneer of the American Civil Rights Movement from the Oklahoma Hall of Fame (virtual) features archival material and historical information to present a timeline of Luper’s life and accomplishments.

FREE Edmond’s African American History: Land Run to Integration from Edmond History Museum (virtual) explores the history of African American families in Edmond, segregation and more.


Read

“Books inspire. They teach. They give comfort. They entertain. Books, and the information they impart, change people – usually for the better. Books that reflect your own culture and reality are critical.” – Camille Landry

Camille Landry, a writer, political activist and the owner Nappy Roots Books, an independent African American bookstore, art gallery, gathering space and community center, selected several books that focused on the rich history of African Americans. Here are a few of her selections:

  • The Hello, Goodbye Window, written by Norton Juster and illustrated by Chris Raschka. This delightful picture book tells the story of a biracial little girl and her relationship with her grandparents, who provide a magical place for her to stay when Mom and Dad are busy.
  • Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History and Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison and Kwesi Johnson. Two picture books that chronicle some of the exceptional people in Black history. These books are sure to be a welcome addition to any child’s library. They will also serve as inspirations for children to know that they can do anything they set their mind to, no matter what challenges they may face in life.
  • Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Eric Velasquez. Centered around Arturo Schomburg, this book tells the story of how his collection of books, letters, music and art found its way to becoming a collection at the New York Public Library.
  • The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis. The Watsons are headed to Birmingham to visit their grandmother. During their visit, their Grandmother’s church is bombed. Taking place at the time of the 16th Street Baptist Church

For more books that celebrate the Black experience that can be enjoyed by young readers of every race and nationality, read Landry’s blog about how Black history is American history.

Bonus: 

Extend your storytime with these coloring pages by Angela Charles highlighting Black historical figures Ruby Bridges, George Washington Carver, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Madam CJ Walker and Frederick Douglass.

Angela Charles is the creator behind Tote Box Kids, a virtual store on the Teachers Pay Teachers online marketplace. 


Eat

“In diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” – Maya Angelou

When deciding where to spend your dollars, you are investing in our community. That investment helps shape what our metro looks like and, by supporting a diverse landscape of local businesses, you are helping to keep our city vibrant, amplifying a variety of voices, entrepreneurs and creatives. Here are some of our favorite local Black-owned restaurants in the Oklahoma City metro for you to consider supporting this February, during Black History Month, and year-round.

Black Restaurant Bingo is a community-driven initiative, founded by OKC Black Eats. Visit local destinations on the card for a chance to win prizes. Learn more at okcblackeats.com/restaurantbingo. For more local Black-owned restaurants and shops, check out our list.

For even more local events and things to do, visit our searchable calendar fill with family-friendly events every day of the week. Or sign up for our e-newsletters to get all of MetroFamily’s best resources sent right to your inbox!  

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