February is a busy month with exciting events like Super Bowl parties and Valentine’s Day celebrations. However, just because Black History Month is about learning history, it doesn’t mean it can’t be fun too! It’s not too late to celebrate Black History month with your family.
If you are looking for creative ways to have fun during Black History Month this year (and every year), below are a few family-friendly places you can start.
Traditionally “celebrating” Black History Month for most Americans is usually limited to school curriculum or doing research for school projects that highlight the same popular historical figures year over year. However, because Black History is American History, it can also be an opportunity to celebrate the future while also learning about the past.
Here are some family-friendly ways you can do just that:
Visit a Black or African history museum.
If you haven’t visited a Black history museum with your family, Black History Month is a great excuse to prioritize the occasion. With a quick Google search, you may find several attractions, exhibits, murals, statues, and parks to visit near you. A few must-see attractions in Knoxville include the Beck Cultural Exchange, the McClung Historical Collection on the third floor of the East Tennessee History Center, and Carl Cowan Park. You can also explore the Knoxville African American Heritage Guide, which is a self-guided tour that highlights the heritage of Knoxville’s African American community.
Have a movie night.
Depending on the ages of your children, you can opt to watch age-appropriate movies made by Black creators or documentaries about the Black experience. Several streaming services do a great job of making it easy to find films made by or about Blacks in America.
Read poems or books written by Black authors.
If you’re already doing storytime, Black History Month is a great time to opt for books or poems written by Black authors. There are so many options to choose from for people of all ages. If you need help picking out new books, you can visit a Black bookstore like The Bottom or attend a Black History Month storytime at your local library.
Eat at Black restaurants.
What better way to connect with a culture than through food! If you’re a foodie, you can use Black History Month as an excuse to try a new black owned restaurant in your area. If you need help locating some in and around Knoxville, check out this list.
Support a non-profit benefiting Black Americans.
Given the history of the Black experience in America and how catastrophic events like the Bloody Sunday attack was just 58 years ago, there is still work to be done in terms of equal justice and socioeconomic. So many causes and organizations are actively working to help level the playing field for Black Americans today in an effort to continue the work that was initiated by Civil Rights leaders. Black History Month is a great time for you and your family to get involved with or make a donation to nonprofits that benefit Black Americans.
Attend a Black History event.
Like I mentioned earlier, the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day aren’t the only festivities happening this month. A quick Google search can reveal several Black History related events and celebrations happening near you. For example, there’s a Black History Month talent show coming up, Books & Brews: Black History Trivia Night, and a free closing celebration event called The Dream happening at Bijou Theatre featuring music, drama, dance, art and culture and a performance by Dream Girls.
Don’t just limit Black History Month to research about a historical figure (while it’s good to do research too). Take it a step further by making Black History Month an interactive experience with the whole family so it can feel like a true celebration with some of the ideas I’ve highlighted above.
