February is just around the corner, and with it comes Black History Month! It’s a time to honor the remarkable contributions and achievements of Black Americans and celebrate their rich cultural heritage.
To help you get ready, we’ve put together a list of local events and celebrations happening throughout February, offering plenty of ways to engage, learn, and join in the celebration.
Learn Some History
Explore one of Montclair’s most fascinating landmarks—the James Howe House on February 17. Discover the rich history, unique architecture, and fascinating stories behind this historical home, owned by James Howe, the first African American to own a home in Montclair. Learn about the home’s origins, the people who lived there, and its place in Montclair’s history. Tickets here.
The Montclair History Center will host several events to celebrate Black History Month. On February 16, take the “Guided House Tour: Eyewitness To Black History” and explore 200 years of Black history in Montclair and New Jersey through rare first-hand accounts and primary and secondary source documents. Attend the “History At Home: From Loudoun To Montclair: One Woman’s Experience Of The Great Migration” on February 20. In this virtual event, the Loudoun Museum of Leesburg, VA, research volunteer Caroline S. O’Connell will discuss the experience of Flossie Sinclair Furr, an African American school teacher who was a part of the Great Migration during the first decades of the 20th century.
YMCA of Montclair will host a series of events and programs to celebrate Black History Month. All events are free and open to the community, though advanced registration is required:
- Honoring Our Roots: A Black Heritage Presentation with Miss Ernestine Galloway
February 12, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Park Street YMCA Gymnasium
An exploration of Black Heritage, produced by longtime YMCA of Montclair member and friend Miss Ernestine Galloway. - A Celebration and Study of African American Sculpture
February 19, noon-1 p.m. in the Park Street YMCA Senior/Teen Room
Vinnie Bagwell, a renowned representational-figurative artist, will present her work and discuss the role art and sculpture play in African American history and storytelling. - “Our Schools, Our Town” Film Screening
February 24, 7–8 p.m. in the Park Street YMCA Senior/Teen Room
“Our Schools, Our Town” is a short documentary that explores Montclair’s desegregation movement and the establishment of its magnet school system in 1977, which was implemented to address racial inequities within the school district. MFEE Executive Director and Producer of the film, Masiel Rodriquez-Vars, will lead a discussion with special guests and community members.
Glen Ridge Public Library will host a conversation with journalist and author Lee Hawkins. He will talk about the examination of his family’s legacy of post-enslavement trauma and resilience in this riveting memoir, “I Am Nobody’s Slave: How Uncovering My Family’s History Set Me Free,” on February 18 at 2 p.m. This book examines how trauma from enslavement and Jim Crow shaped their outlook on thriving in America, influenced each generation, and how they succeeded despite these challenges.
The Montclair Public Library’s Adult School will present a screening of the three-part NJ PBS documentary, “The Price of Silence,” at Montclair Public Library on February 22, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. In this three-part documentary series, which was originally created for and broadcast on NJ PBS, descendants and historians tell their stories and why it was the last northern state to end the institution of slavery and how NJ’s history affected those who came here in the Great Migration. Each episode is 28 minutes long, and there will be a 5-minute intermission after the second episode. Afterward, there will be a discussion with the filmmaker, Ridgeley Hutchinson, and Linda Caldwell Epps, a historical consultant on the film.
Celebrate Black Art & Culture
Studio Montclair presents Strength and Resilience, an exhibition honoring Black History Month, from January 31 through February 28 at SMI’s Leach Gallery (641 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair). The opening reception will be held on Friday, January 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. The curator, Onnie Strother, challenged artists to create artworks that reflect either or both essential themes in terms of the conceptual thinking behind the work and/or use of art mediums/materials.
Kick-off Black History Month on February 1 by joining the Montclair Branch of the NAACP and the Montclair Public Library to honor Langston Hughes. The inaugural Langston Hughes Read-A-Thon celebrates the life and legacy of the prolific African-American poet and writer born on February 1, 1902. Hughes became a significant voice of the Harlem Renaissance and an advocate for civil rights. Honor his memory and inspire our community through his powerful words. Sign-ups to read first come, first served. The Library will have books with Langston Hughes’ poems available for everyone to use during the event.
Sankofa Cafe will host a Black Ink Open Mic (Spoken Word) on February 2, from noon to 3 p.m. Guests are invited to read their favorite poem by a Black poet. Or you can perform your own original work to celebrate a legacy of Black lyricism.
Montclair Public Library will host Jennifer Jones, the author of “Becoming Spectacular: The Rhythm of Resilience from the First African American Rockette” on February 18. Jones was the first African American Rockette. She will discuss her journey to one of the world’s most celebrated dance troupes with Sharron Miller of SMAPA.
Montclair Art Museum’s “Nanette Carter: A Question of Balance” exhibition will open on February 8. This exhibition showcases the artist’s innovative collages of the last decade, including some installed directly on the gallery walls. A highlight of the show is the monumental “Afro Sentinels III.” It is an installation of abstract “warrior” figures Carter created to combat racial injustice and protect all people of color. Museum admission is required.
Montclair Art Museum’s African American Cultural Committee (AACC) presents its 17th annual Film Forum with a “Stronger Than Steel: The Senator Wynona Lipman Story” screening on February 9. A discussion with local filmmaker Celeste Bateman and public policy specialist Richard Roper will explore Senator Wynona Lipman’s rise to power and her Montclair roots. Cherisse Jones will moderate. Tickets are $15 for non-members.
Montclair Film will celebrate Black History Month by hosting two free screenings on Monday, February 24, of “Stamped From The Beginning” at 5 p.m. and “The Piano Lesson” at 7:30 p.m. Using innovative animation and expert insights, “this”Stamped From the Beginning” is a documentary based on Ibram X. Kendi’s bestseller explores the history of racist ideas in America. “The Piano Lesson” is about the Charles family, who grapples with family legacy and difficult decisions as they determine the fate of their heirloom piano, exploring deeper themes along the way.
Join a Celebration
Brother to Brother Mentoring Program will host a community Black History Month celebration on February 4 at 6 p.m. at the Community Service Center.
Each year, Montclair Brewery releases a special Black History Month beer. This year, they’re hosting a party on February 21 to unveil the 2025 Black History Month beer. Enjoy food, live music, and more! The event will also honor the Montclair African American Heritage Foundation (MAAHF) as it celebrates its 35th anniversary. It’s free to attend!
Children’s Black History Month Events
While many of the events listed above are for all ages, here are some fantastic events specifically for kids:
- Montclair Library will host a Black History Month Storytime with Miss Tilly on February 19 at 4 p.m.
- The Newark Museum of Art will host Black History Month-themed Family First Sundays throughout the month.
