Tomorrow marks the end of Black History Month.
This year’s celebrations honored the 100th anniversary of the first iteration of Black History Month. Created by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926, it was originally commemorated for only a week before expanding to one month.
As the month comes to an end, here are five events to help close out this year’s Black History Month celebrations.
A Weekend of West African Dance at JCAL: A Black History Month Presentation
Available at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Center in Queens, NY, the “Weekend of African Dance” features special performances by the Kofago Dance Ensemble and the FANIKE! African Dance Troupe. The purpose of the performances is to explore the healing power of both dance and drumming. Kofago Dance is founded by choreographer Kevin McIntosh-McEwen. FANIKE! African Dance Troupe meanwhile is based in Queens and celebrates West African culture through polyrhythms and percussion. While the Kofago Dance Ensemble is set to perform Friday night at 8 p.m., the FANIKE! African Dance Troupe is set to perform the following night at 8 p.m.
BHM Showcase 2026
On display at the GALT Museum & Archives in Alberta, the museum’s BHM Showcase celebrates the contributions of Black figures and the overall impact of Black History Month. Held from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., the showcase includes a talent competition that has participants perform live. Up to $2,000 in prizes can be won for those who decide to participate. Performances include variety acts, vocaloid, spoken word, instrumental, dance as well as vocal acts.
Slum Children’s Black and Brown Pop Up Shop
Set for February 28th, the Black and Brown Pop-Up Shop’s purpose is to celebrate Black History Month by highlighting Black and Brown creatives and artists, as well as business owners and entrepreneurs. The pop-up is also set to bring together community members as it is free to attend. Curated by the founder of Child the Clothing Line and Slum Children, Isaiah Keaton, the event will be held in Brooklyn from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Founded in 2024, Slum Children is a live band and community collective with roots in jazz, hip-hop and R&B. Together, their purpose is to create stable foundations and platforms for emerging artists.
The Annual Black History Month Luncheon
Scheduled for February 28th from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., the Black History Month Luncheon is being hosted by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the founders of Black History Month, in Washington, D.C. The event features a speech by educator, author, filmmaker and president of ASALH, Karsonya Wise Whitehead. Whitehead is set to take the stage and discuss “You Can’t Stop Black History.” The luncheon will also feature words by Rev. Kevin Lamar Peterman from the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church. Meanwhile, LaMarr Darnell Shields is set to Emcee.
Lift Every Voice: Black History Month Celebration
On February 27, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is set to perform renditions of gospel songs and standards written by Black composers. The event specifically focuses on the work of renowned vocalist and choir composer Rosephanye Dunn Powell with soloist Imara Miles set to join in as a guest vocalist for the event. Conductor Kevin McBeth, keyboardist Joseph Welch, drummer Bernard Long, bassist Vince Clark and guitarist Steven Schenkel are also set to join in for the performance. The setlist includes renditions of “O Rest in the Lord” from Elijah, “The Word Was God,” “Jericho,” ‘In That Great Gittin’ Up Mornin’,” “Ring Shout’ and “Keep Yo’ Lamps.”
