February is Black History Month – an opportunity to recognize, centralize, and celebrate the role of Black people in the past and present of the United States and the world. Black history IS American history, but it is too often siloed and erased from the stories we tell.
As we celebrate Black history this month, we must also commit to honoring it year-round. Attention to our complex histories is essential to understanding the present moment, to imagining new, just futures, and to securing those just futures.
The fight for racial justice must be part of our everyday practices. Here in the Pittsburgh region, there are many ways to learn about and honor Black history, uplift the Black community locally, and support Black leaders in the work of anti-racism. We’ve compiled many of them here. We hope you will find the opportunities that speak to you, and that you will continue this work beyond the month of February.
Events, Celebrations, and More
Ongoing
- Black History Month: Teenie Harris – The Man Behind the Lens – City of Pittsburgh
- Black History Month at CLP – Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
- Black History Month Broadcasting Programming – WQED-TV
- Celebration of Black Comedy – Arcade Comedy Theater
- From Slavery to Freedom Exhibit – Heinz History Center
- Who Are You? (W.A.Y.) – The August Wilson African American Cultural Center Exhibit
January 30-February 5
- 2022: Black Hockey History Month Celebration – Pittsburgh Penguins
- Black History Month Comedy & Dinner Special Guest: QueenForeverrr – Pittsburgh Association of the Deaf
- Black History Month Kickoff Social – Pan-African Graduate & Professional Student Association at Pitt
- Class Interruptions: Inequity and Division in African Dysphoric Women’s Fiction – Pitt Department of Africana Studied & University Library System
- Full Spectrum: Visionaries Elevating Art, Craft, and Design – Pittsburgh Glass Center, Crafting the Future, ORGINS, and The Color Network
- Give Me Liberty: East Liberty Celebrates MLK Day – Kelly Strayhorn Theater & BOOM Concepts
- Stories Like Me Pop-Up: Black History Month – Stories Like Me & Bakery Square
- Webinar: Florence Gibbs Momeyer Endowed Lecture Featuring Haben Girma– Center on Race and Social Problems at Pitt
February 6-February 12
- Black Excellence Trivia Night – Weekly Wednesday Trivia Nights, 1700 Penn
- Black History Month Skating Party – Pan-African Graduate & Professional Student Association at Pitt
- Late Night Kickball with Brittany Alexis – Arcade Comedy Theater
- Pass the Mic: Crowdwork Stand-Up Show – Arcade Comedy Theater
- ULYP-PGH Join Week 2022: YP Reloaded – Urban League Young Professionals of Greater Pittsburgh
- Unapologetic, An Ashley O’Shay Film – Just Film Series
- We Speak Series: Black Men of Impact On & Off the Ice, Inspiring Generations to Come – Pittsburgh Penguins
- Who Are You? (W.A.Y.) – The August Wilson African American Cultural Center
February 13-February 19
- Black & Jewish Histories of the Hill District – Repair the World
- Brazen and Black: A Celebration of Black Female-infused Comedy Show – Arcade Comedy Theater
- History Month Webinar: History and the Legacy of the Freedom House (Grades 3-7)– Heinz History Center
- History Month Webinar: History and the Legacy of the Freedom House (Grades 8-12) – Heinz History Center
- Panel: Dating While Black – Pan-African Graduate & Professional Student Association at Pitt
- Praying into Antiracism, Presented by Stephen Calme, PHD – Carlow University Social Justice Institute
- Student Black History Month Summit – Stop the Violence Pittsburgh
- ULYP-PGH Join Week 2022: YP Reloaded – Urban League Young Professionals of Greater Pittsburgh
- Virtual Lecture: She Took Justice: The Black Woman, Law and Power with Gloria J. Browne-Marshall – Heinz History Center
- Virtual Black History Month Taste of Culture – Department of Medicine at Pitt, Office of Diversity & Inclusion
- We Speak Series: Kids Breaking Barrier Panel – Pittsburgh Penguins
- YWCA Action Conversations on Race: COVID-19 and Racialized Health Disparities – YWCA Greater Pittsburgh
February 20-Feburary 28
- Danny Simmons: Selected Works Exhibition Reception and Poetry Reading – The August Wilson African American Cultural Center
- From Slavery to Freedom Film Series: Blood Brothers: Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali – Heinz History Center
- Heart & Soul: Live Music & Wine Tasting – Hazelwood Local
- Melanin 2.0 Variety Show – There Ultra Lounge
- Real Pittsburgh Stories: Bein’ Black N’at – Arcade Comedy Theater
- Virtual Black Jeopardy Trivia Social – Pan-African Graduate & Professional Student Association at Pitt
Black History in Pittsburgh:
- Black History and Historic Sites – Visit Pittsburgh
- The Underground Railroad: Learn about the history of the Underground Railroad and visit significant sites in the Pittsburgh region.
More Resources: Read / Watch / Listen
- Stay tuned!
Support Black-Owned Businesses
- Cocoapreneur – Visit Cocoapreneur to view a directory of black-owned businesses in Pittsburgh. Cocoapreneur provides support to businesses through advertising, marketing, and consulting.
- BlackOwnedPGH – Follow BlackOwnedPGH on Instagram for business spotlights and recommendations.
Supporting the Work of Racial Justice in Pittsburgh:
There are so many black-led organizations working to end racism, uplift black communities, and create positive change in our region. Here are a few groups that are black-led and/or work closely with the black community that you can connect with, volunteer for, donate to, and support:
- 1Hood Media
- African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania
- African American Leadership Association
- Alliance for Police Accountability
- Amachi Pittsburgh
- Black Girls Equity Alliance (Gwen’s Girls)
- Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP)
- Black Tech Nation
- Black Urban Gardners and Farmers of Pittsburgh
- Black, Young, & Educated
- Corporate Equity and Inclusion Roundtable (CEIR)
- The Kingsley Association
- My Brother’s Keeper
- Manchester Bidwell Corporation
- New Voices for Reproductive Justice
- Pittsburgh Black Elected Officials Coalition
- POISE Foundation
- Sankofa Fund of Southwest PA
- Sisters PGH
- Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh
- Urban League Young Professionals of Greater Pittsburgh
- YWCA Center for Race & Gender Equity
We will continue to update this list throughout February. If you know of an event, organization, or resource that we missed, please submit it to our community calendar or email jaime@pump.org. Thank you!