February 14
8 p.m. — Dream Land: Little Rock’s West Ninth Street
Arkansas PBS will air this documentary that explores the history of this Little Rock neighborhood that was once a vibrant, African American business and entertainment district.
February 15
10 a.m. — Bridge Builders: U.S. Civil Rights Then and Now (Virtual)
The Clinton Foundation and Clinton School of Public Service will host a panel discussion with leaders of America’s preeminent Civil Rights museums and sites, including Quantia Fletcher, director of Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. The program will be streamed live online and you can RSVP here.
5 p.m. — Religion and Liberation
This live recording of the podcast Undisciplined at St. James Baptist Church in Fayetteville will feature a discussion on the role religion can play in liberation, reparation and building anti-racist coalitions.
6 p.m. — Negunomics
This event will provide a community space for curated dialogue on Black economics and financial literacy. Conversations will be guided by entrepreneurs Airic Hughes and Demetrius Johnson, with a special presentation from Emma Willis of Venture Noire.
7 p.m. — The Dean Speaks (Virtual)
Cherisse Jones-Branch, author and dean of Arkansas State University’s graduate school will host a virtual presentation discussing the Baron of Blackville, Ark., Pickens Black, Sr. The free presentation will be on Zoom and can be accessed with meeting ID 409 728 3938.
February 16
1 p.m. — ASU Newport Black History Month Virtual Forum
ASU-Newport is hosting a virtual forum celebrating Black History Month. Trisha Mays-Cummins will lead a discussion focused on the history of Jackson County and W.F. Branch High School.
February 17
2 p.m. — Building Racial Equity Training (Virtual)
The Black Action Collective will host this virtual training to build a clear understanding of key concepts such as racial equity and structural racism. The event is free, but registration is required.
6 p.m. — Living Witness to History Program
Presented by the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, this event celebrates historical figures and events in honor of African American History Month. Special guests included Sarah Collins Rudolph, survivor of the 1963 church bombing in Birmingham and actor Lou Gossett, Jr. Free soul will be provided following the program.
6 p.m. — NYIT Black History Month Panel (Virtual)
New York Institute of Technology’s Alumni Relations is hosting a virtual panel discussion with alumni in honor of Black History Month. Email kkwarwosk@nyit.edu for more information.
6:30 p.m. — Black in Springdale (Virtual)
This virtual event will briefly overview the Black experience in Springdale from a historic and futuristic perspective. Dialogue will be led by Airic Hughes of Visionairi and Rachel Whitaker of the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. Registration is required.
6:30 p.m. — Living in Today’s Truth (Virtual)
UAPB’s Office and Student Involvement and Leadership welcomes film producer and New York Times best-selling author DeVon Franklin for a virtual keynote address. The event is open to the public and will be presented via Zoom.
February 18
10 a.m. — Delta Days 2022: Voices From the Delta
The Delta Cultural Center is celebrating Black History Month with weekly performances by S. Juain Young & Artists United of Little Rock. This living history re-enactment will focus on agriculture, education, diversity, music and influential people from our past.
5 p.m. — African American Heritage Celebration
Akib’Art Gallery in Fort Smith is celebrating Black History Month with a cocktail party, fashion and an art expo. There will also be a live recording of the podcast Undisciplined.
7 p.m. — The Life of Josephine Baker: Virtual Film Screening and Talk Back
Join Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Phi Alpha Omega Chapter as they view a film documenting how a poor little Black girl born in 1906 in Missouri (with roots in Little Rock) became “Queen of Paris.” This is the fabulous story of the world’s first Black superstar, Josephine Baker!
February 19
11 a.m. — Black History Month Virtual Storytime (Virtual)
The Northwest Arkansas Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., will host this virtual event featuring illustrator and animator J’Aaron Merchant. Register here.
11 a.m. — Living History
You have the chance to “meet” Mifflin Gibbs, Lean Jordan, Joseph Carter Corbin and Lottie Shackelford — actors from S. Juain Young & Artists United will perform as these iconic characters at Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. Guests are invited to stop by and step into history.
1 p.m. — The Collective Expo Community Empowerment Festival
Organized by the Black Action Collective, this event will feature Black-owned businesses showcasing their products and services at the Fayetteville Town Center. The expo will also offer health screenings, family resources, free food and entertainment.
1 p.m. — Arkansas Made Black Crafted X Rock It! Lab
As a part of Mosaic Templars Cultural Center’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the local economy and encouraging Black entrepreneurship, MTCC and Rock It! Lab will launch its first collaborative AR Made: Buy Black event which will celebrate the work of three featured Arkansas entrepreneurs from the Rock It! Lab program.
1 p.m. — Black History Month Town Hall
In recognition of Black History Month, The Reform Alliance is hosting a town hall event at the Southwest Community Center in Little Rock. Edmond Davis, Tim Campbell and Denisha Merriweather will speak at the event, and Rodney Block and his band will perform. Entry is free, but please reserve your spot here.
2 p.m. — Once Forgotten Screening
Once Forgotten is a short, historical documentary about three enslaved men – Anthony, Aaron and Randall – accused of killing a white slave owner. The documentary seeks to bring to light to the story from their point of view while exploring the legacy of racial violence in America. The film will be screened at the Fayetteville Public Library’s event center and registration is required.
2 p.m. — Jazz Concert with Crusade
The Springdale Public Library invites you to spend a mellow afternoon basking in the soulful sounds of the jazz with Northwest Arkansas musical group Crusade.
6 p.m. — Back to Black Launch Party
Her Set Her Sound is celebrating Black culture at TheatreSquared. The event will feature music from DJ Dribblz, DJ Girlfriend, DJ Soulfree and Amato; poets sharing their sounds and stories, and auction items. Black attire is preferred.
February 20
5:30 p.m. — An Evening with a Freedom Rider: Charles Person
An author and Marine Corps veteran, Charles Person was one of the original 13 Freedom Riders who set out on May 4, 1961 to protest segregation and discrimination against Black Americans in the South. He will discuss his experience as captured in his memoir at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. The event will be held in-person with limited seating and via livestream.
9:30 p.m. — Dream Land: Little Rock’s West Ninth Street
Arkansas PBS will air this documentary that explores the history of this Little Rock neighborhood that was once a vibrant, African American business and entertainment district.
February 21
6:30 p.m. — Black Men Deserve to Grow Old (Virtual)
You’re invited to a virtual town hall discussing the trauma and tribulations experienced by Black men and how to triumph over adversity. Register for this virtual event on EventBrite.
