Brooklyn Children’s museum: A Week of Reflection and Future-Forward Fun

From February ⁤16 to February 22, the Brooklyn⁢ Children’s Museum in Crown Heights is hosting the ⁣Black Future ⁢Festival. The weeklong event ⁣is designed to showcase Black culture⁤ through live performance, dance, storytelling workshops, and hands-on arts and crafts. In partnership‍ with⁣ the Bed-Stuy-based ‌STooPS institution,the festival features programming such as ‌ BK Dreamers—a dance performance exploring visions for ⁢a ‌thriving Brooklyn—and includes⁤ family-friendly game shows centering on ⁢Black history,Soca dance workout classes,and​ printmaking ‌workshops.

This ⁤festival not only highlights ‍the diverse artistic expressions of Black communities but also offers an opportunity⁢ for intergenerational dialog and practical learning. Similar to community celebrations in cities like Atlanta and Chicago, new York’s festival reinforces the importance⁣ of creative expression as a tool for ​empowerment and cultural ‌preservation.

For additional details on the Black Future Festival,please visit the event’s dedicated page.

Honoring the Past at the ‌Harlem⁤ African ​Burial Ground

A historically significant African burial ground, discovered in the early⁢ 2000s beneath the East 126th Street Bus Depot ⁢and associated with the‍ former Reformed Low dutch Church of Harlem from the late 17th century, is finally ⁣receiving its due recognition. calls from local residents and historians ​lead to‌ a 2015 archaeological examination that uncovered 140 human bones‌ or fragments, highlighting the sacred importance of the⁢ site.

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) is⁣ currently spearheading a‌ project to create a permanent outdoor memorial at the burial site, complemented by plans⁢ for an indoor education center⁤ and a ⁤mixed-use project with affordable ‍housing. ‍On February ⁣12, a virtual⁤ conversation⁢ will take place featuring Manhattan Borough‌ Historian Emerita Sharon⁢ Wilkins, ‍among others, to⁣ discuss the history of this ​burial ground and the vision for ‍its future memorialization.

“The⁢ project ​not only promises to honor our ⁣shared history but also serves​ as a bridge connecting past struggles​ to the ongoing‌ quest for justice and inclusion.”

NYCEDC⁤ Initiative

This initiative mirrors recent ⁤efforts​ in other U.S. cities ⁤where local‌ governments are‍ increasingly⁤ investing ‍in culturally ‍significant sites​ to‌ educate the public and memorialize the contributions‍ and sacrifices​ of ​African Americans.

African Performing Arts: The Rhythms & Movements⁤ of African American Cultural Festival

The ​Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation is set to​ orchestrate a five-day celebration of Black History at the Abrons Art Center on manhattan’s Lower East Side from February 12 ​through ⁤February 16. The festival,titled Rhythms & Movements of African american Cultural Festival,offers‌ an extensive‌ lineup of⁤ 14​ performances,six youth ‍features,four headlining events,a post-music concert,a ⁤visual arts exhibit,and spoken word⁢ pieces.

Under ‍the evocative theme Revolution Requires Resistance, participants will explore themes of identity, activism, ‌and cultural resistance. This⁣ event provides a valuable ‌platform for young⁤ and established artists alike, parallel to national initiatives⁤ like those in ⁣Houston‌ or Detroit, which integrate artistic expression with education and community mobilization.

Interested attendees can view the full schedule and ‍purchase tickets by ⁤visiting the⁣ festival’s official webpage.

Exploring Botanical ‍Legacies ‍at New⁢ York ‌Botanical Garden

The ⁢New York Botanical Garden ⁤is highlighting the⁣ contributions ⁢of the African diaspora to ⁣gardening, science, and culture throughout February. ⁤The‍ garden’s programming includes both on-site and⁤ online activities, culminating in a‌ talk on February 27 by author⁣ and ⁣gardener Teri⁣ Speight. Her publication, Black Flora: Inspiring Profiles of Floriculture’s New Vanguard, ‍profiles experts who are revolutionizing‌ the world ‍of floriculture.

Additionally, the garden’s Edible Academy​ is hosting a school ⁣programme where students learn about⁢ plants tied to the African‍ American Diaspora. In⁤ a hands-on activity, children⁣ plant collard greens and work in groups to mix ⁣hibiscus, ​ginger, and cloves for a conventional⁤ sorrel tea recipe.In the Mertz⁣ library, an archival exhibit showcases “hidden figures”⁢ from the garden’s history between the 1930s⁤ and 1950s.

this ⁢initiative not only privies a deeper understanding‍ of cultural ​heritage through a ‍horticultural ‌lens but also echoes educational trends in many American institutions leveraging local⁣ history​ to foster community engagement.

Commemorating a century‌ of Cultural scholarship⁣ at the⁢ Schomburg Center

The Schomburg Center for Research ‌in ⁣Black Culture celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, marking a century of preserving and studying african American and Diasporic experiences. ⁢With a collection exceeding 11 million items, the schomburg Center’s centennial celebrations include an exhibition on the⁣ library’s history, new ‌programming, a specially themed library card, and a⁣ festival scheduled for ‌June 14.

In anticipation ⁤of these grand ⁤festivities, the Schomburg Center and the New​ York Public ⁤Library (NYPL) are hosting several​ programs ⁣and making book recommendations tailored ⁣for Black History Month. These include an exhibit celebrating 100​ years of‍ James Baldwin,‌ author Sarah Lewis discussing her book The Unseen Truth: When Race Changed Sight⁣ in america, ​and a ‍curated Black Liberation Reading List.​ Such ⁢initiatives reinforce the role of cultural institutions as educators and community anchors, much like similar efforts seen at‌ libraries across the United States.

Culinary Heritage and Craftsmanship: ⁢Events⁢ at MODAD and Blacklist NYC

The Museum of ⁤food and Drink (MODAD) invites ‌participants ⁢to explore the legacy ⁤of the African Diaspora ​in ​America’s ⁣culinary scene ​through a special event featuring Jackie Summers, the ⁤country’s ​first ⁤legal Black distiller.A⁣ Brooklyn native,Summers earned her license in 2012 after producing small-batch sorrel—a ⁣traditional‍ Caribbean beverage. On February 13,culinary historian Ramin Ganeshram will ​join her to⁣ discuss the ‌longstanding food and drink heritage ⁣of the African Diaspora.Attendees will ⁢have⁤ the chance⁢ to enjoy sorrel cocktails ⁣while learning⁤ about this pivotal cultural contribution.

Meanwhile, Blacklist ⁤NYC ‌is hosting a buy Black⁢ Marketplace on‍ February 15 at Pier 57 in ​Chelsea.⁤ Running from ⁢1 p.m.to 6 p.m., the market features local artists and makers selling fine art, crafts, jewelry, and other unique products. This initiative echoes a growing movement within the‌ United States that ‍supports ‍small​ businesses owned by people of color, fostering economic empowerment and community development.

Musical Tributes and Fashion Exhibits

valentine’s Day⁣ in New York will see a⁣ special homage to the legacy of⁣ Black music. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is hosting ⁣ Electric Root: Let Love Led on February 14.Scheduled to feature performances by C. ‍Anthony Bryant, Brianna Thomas, and Charenee Wade,⁤ the event promises ⁤to⁣ exemplify the ⁤transformative power ​of music in evoking joy and inspiring ⁤resilience. Tickets for this event begin at $35.

In a⁣ nod ​to history and contemporary creativity, the exhibition ‌ Black Dress II: Homage at Pratt Manhattan gallery celebrates the profound influence⁤ of Black creatives ⁤in ‍the fashion ‌industry. Coinciding with New York fashion Week, the⁤ exhibit—curated by Pratt Fashion Professor ‌Adrienne Jones ‌and ⁤Rachelle Etienne-Robinson—features work by influential designers including Paul ​Tazewell, Fabrice,‌ Stephen Burrows, and Patrick Kelly. Open daily from 11 a.m.to 6 p.m. until ⁣March 22, this free exhibition highlights how personal narratives, archival‍ photography,⁣ and⁢ immersive⁢ installations are ‍harnessing fashion as a medium for social​ commentary.

Remembering New York’s History of Slavery

New York’s role in the history of slavery ‍is complex and far-reaching. Once the‌ capital of slavery in the United States for nearly‍ 200 years, New York was home to more enslaved ⁣Africans than any city ‍in the country except locations in South Carolina. Even‌ though New York officially ended slavery in 1827, its economy continued ‌to⁤ be intertwined with the‌ illicit slave trade and the exploitation of labor well into the later 19th century.

The African Burial Ground National Monument, which opened in 2007, stands ⁤as⁤ the first ‌national⁣ monument dedicated​ to‍ Africans⁤ of early New York. open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except ‌Mondays),the site offers visitors an opportunity to reflect on ⁣the profound historical legacy of slavery in the city.

On‌ February‌ 12, a panel discussion hosted by First ⁢Presbyterian ⁢church, the Merchant’s ⁤House Museum, and Village Preservation will address the historical connections between religious institutions and slavery.⁢ The event centers on the⁤ report Old First and ⁤Slavery, which examines the church’s foundation⁢ up through the end ‌of the Civil War. Registration⁢ is‌ required for this free​ event,emphasizing the city’s commitment to ⁣engaging the public in a critical reassessment of its past.

“Understanding our history is integral to shaping a more equitable ​future, and these discussions help ensure that the voices of the past continue to inform present ‍challenges.”

Center ‌for Brooklyn History

Brooklyn also ⁤hosts an evocative new ‌exhibition at the Brooklyn ⁤Public Library’s Center⁤ for Brooklyn History. Titled Trace/s: family History⁤ Research ‍and the⁤ Legacy ‍of Slavery ‍in‌ Brooklyn, ​the exhibition utilizes artwork, historical⁤ records, and research to investigate ⁢the ⁤profound⁣ impact‍ of slavery on the borough’s societal and economic landscape.⁢ Anchored by large-scale portrait paintings detailing family ⁣histories, the exhibit ‌runs through august 30 and includes free programs such as genealogy workshops, ‌panel‍ discussions, and walking⁤ tours.

What events are featured at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum during Black ‌History Month?

The museum hosts ‌the Black Future Festival from February 16 to February 22, offering live performances, dance shows like “BK Dreamers,” storytelling ​workshops, printmaking sessions, soca dance workout classes,​ and family-amiable game shows that⁢ celebrate Black cultural expression and⁤ creative empowerment.

How is the Harlem African Burial Ground being honored?

A past African burial ground, discovered beneath the East 126th Street Bus Depot and ⁣connected to ‍the former Reformed Low Dutch Church of Harlem, is ‍set to receive a ​permanent outdoor memorial, an indoor education centre, and a mixed-use project with affordable housing. Additionally, a ⁣virtual conversation on February‌ 12 with Manhattan Borough Historian Emerita Sharon Wilkins and others will discuss its history and future memorialization.

What does ⁣the African Performing​ Arts festival ​at Abrons Art Center include?

The Asase Yaa Cultural Arts ‌Foundation presents⁢ a five-day festival from February 12 through 16 ‍featuring 14 performances,six youth features,four⁢ headlining‌ events,a ​post-music concert,a visual arts​ exhibit,and spoken word pieces,all under the evocative ‍theme “Revolution Requires Resistance,” which explores identity,activism,and cultural resistance.

What activities are being offered at the⁣ New York Botanical Garden?

The Botanical Garden highlights‍ the​ contributions of‌ the African diaspora to gardening, science, and culture. Its February programme includes both on-site and online activities, a talk by Teri Speight on February‍ 27 about‍ her book “Black Flora: Inspiring Profiles ⁤of Floriculture’s New Vanguard,” a school programme with hands-on activities like planting collard greens and mixing a customary sorrel ‌tea​ recipe, ​and an archival exhibit in the Mertz library.

How is the Schomburg Center celebrating its 100th anniversary?

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture marks ​its centennial with an exhibition ‌on its history, new programming initiatives, a specially themed library card, and a festival ‌scheduled for June 14.​ In collaboration with the New​ York Public Library, it also ‍hosts special programs​ and book ⁢recommendations ⁣tailored for Black History Month.

What culinary and community initiatives are highlighted in the article?

The Museum of ⁤Food and Drink (MODAD) features an⁤ event with Jackie Summers—the country’s first legal ​Black distiller—and culinary historian Ramin Ganeshram on february 13 to discuss the African Diaspora’s​ food and drink heritage,⁣ including sorrel cocktails. ⁣Additionally, Blacklist NYC ⁣hosts a Buy Black Marketplace on February 15 at ⁣Pier 57, showcasing local artists and makers to support economic empowerment and community development.

What musical and⁣ fashion tributes ‌can visitors expect in New York during Black⁢ History Month?

On Valentine’s Day, the Metropolitan Museum of Art hosts ⁣“Electric Root: Let ​Love⁣ Led,” featuring performances that celebrate Black music’s transformative power. ‌Simultaneously, the Pratt Manhattan gallery presents⁤ the ‍“Black dress II: Homage” exhibition during⁣ New York Fashion Week, showcasing ​influential Black designers through personal narratives, archival photography, and immersive installations.

How does ⁤New York address its historical legacy of slavery?

New York ‍acknowledges its⁢ complex slavery history through multiple initiatives.⁢ The ⁣African Burial⁢ Ground National Monument—open daily from 10 ‌a.m. to 4 p.m. (except Mondays)—serves as a memorial to early African Americans. Additionally, a panel discussion on ​February 12 hosted⁣ by local institutions⁣ will ⁤focus on the report “Old First and Slavery,” examining historical connections between religious institutions and slavery. Brooklyn’s Center for Brooklyn History also hosts the “Trace/s: ​Family History Research and the Legacy of Slavery in Brooklyn” ⁤exhibition, ‍featuring artworks, historical records, and free programs⁣ like genealogy workshops and panel discussions.