WISCONSIN — As Black History Month kicks off on Feb. 1, numerous businesses around Wisconsin are hosting events to celebrate Black history and uplift local Black-owned businesses and artists.
Here are some of the events you can catch in Wisconsin:
Milwaukee area
Under African Skies
UW-Milwaukee Manfred Olson Planetarium, 1900 E Kenwood Boulevard, #139, Milwaukee
Every Friday, from Feb. 9 to Feb. 23, 7 to 8 p.m.
Every Friday in February, starting Feb. 9, you can visit the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for stargazing and stories from across the African continent. Each program will feature a different guest speaker, who will discuss their culture and connection to the stars above. Each session will contain stargazing adventure followed by a Q&A session with the guest speaker.
Learn more, here.
Culture x Design Black History Month Program
Various Locations
Saturday, Feb. 3, to Thursday, Feb. 29
Culture x Design, an event curation and marketing firm, announced its first Black History Month programming. Happening the majority of the month, the program includes various activities including film screenings, musical events and Black history trivia.
Learn more, here.
MKE Music Night: Soul Edition
The Cooperage, 822 South Water Street, Milwaukee
Friday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m.
MKE Music Night is celebrating Black History Month with its first ever Soul Night on Feb. 9. The 67th MKE Music Night features a lineup of various local soul artists from around Milwaukee.
Learn more, here.
Wauwatosa Black History Month Celebration
Wauwatosa Public Library, 7635 West North Avenue, Wauwatosa
Thursday, Feb. 22, 7 to 8:15 p.m.
The Wauwatosa Public Library is hosting its annual Black Month Celebration, filled with celebrations of African Amercican Art. The event is free and open to the public.
Learn more, here.
Madison area
Black History Month at Madison Public Library
All month, various locations
Madison Public Library is hosting various events throughout the month of February for children and their families to celebrate Black History Month. The celebrations include family movie nights, book discussions and more.
Learn more, here.
Children’s African Story Hour
Pinney Library, 516 Cottage Grove Road, Madison
Jan. 22, Feb. 5 and Feb. 19, 3-4 p.m.
On Mondays during Black History Month, join the Pinney Library for African Story Hour hosted by the African Studies Program at University of Wisconsin-Madison. The series includes hands-on activities and tastings of different African cuisines. The event is free and open to the public.
Learn more, here.
Black History Month Art Exhibition
Omega School, 835 West Badger Road (lower level), Madison
Feb. 2 to 29
Latinos Organizing for Understanding and Development (LOUD) will host an art exhibition throughout Black History Month to highlight artistic diversity in Dane County. There will be an opening reception on Friday, Feb. 2 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the LOUD Gallery.
Learn more, here.
Moonshine 2024
H’Doubler Performance Space, Lathrop Hall, 1050 University Avenue, Madison
Friday, Feb. 23, 3:30 p.m.
The University of Wisconsin dance department will put on “Moonshine,” a Black History Month celebration that includes live music, contemporary theater and dance performances, including West African, Afro-Caribbean Dancehall and hip hop dance forms. This event is free and open to the public.
Learn more, here.
Green Bay area
Black History Month Soul Food Dinner and Discussion Panel
Ferguson Family Y, 235 N. Jefferson Street, Green Bay
Tuesday, Feb. 6, 5 to 7 p.m.
The Ferguson Family YMCA is gearing up to feed the minds of Green Bay residents. With a soul food buffet and a panel on how Dr. King’s work inspired Black leaders today, you will get a night full of rich conversation and food.
Learn more and register here.
Black History Month at UW-Green Bay
UW-Green Bay, various locations on campus
Feb. 1 to 29
All month, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay will host various events to celebrate Black History Month. The festivities kick off Feb. 1, and include a mobile Black History Month museum, soul food dinners, paint nights and more. Most events are free and open to the public.
Learn more, here.
