Want to observe Black History Month? Here are 15 events to check out in the Evansville area

Rayonna Burton-Jernigan, Evansville Courier & Press
·3 min read

February is Black History Month. If you're looking to take part in an observance, here's a list of some of the events on the calendar for the month in the Evansville area.

University of Southern Indiana

True Black History Museum

Feb. 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., David L Rice Library. Free.

The traveling museum teaches Black history using rare and authentic artifacts and the exhibit, “A Tribute to the African American Journey.” The collection includes items from African civilizations, the slave trade, slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, the Civil Rights/Black Power movement, and the modern day.

Film screening: "Is That Black Enough for You?"

Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. in Wright Administration 1, Free

This documentary examines African-American contributions to film and pop culture as it provides insight into the history of Black representation from the earliest days of cinema and the impact of witnessing unapologetic Blackness.

Taste of Film: 'The Princess and the Frog'

Feb. 13, 6-8 p.m. Carter Hall D in University Center West. Free.

USI's Black Student Union and the Activities Programming Board will host a showing of "The Princess and the Frog" along with food samples of beignets and gumbo.

Oratorical Competition

Feb, 20, 5 p.m., University Center East 226-227. Free.

The USI Multicultural Center is hosting this annual competition where USI participants are asked to present three- to five-minute speeches on any topic.

The Evansville African American Museum opened on March 7, 2007.
The Evansville African American Museum opened on March 7, 2007.

Evansville African American Museum

A History of Women of Color in Junior League

Feb. 4 at 1 p.m., Evansville African American Museum, 579 S. Garvin St. Free.

Former Junior League of London President Zena Martin is hosting a presentation on the history of women of color throughout the organization.

Black History Month Unity Choir concert

Feb. 18, 6 p.m., Old National Events Plaza, 715 Locust St. Tickets are $10.

This concert features the Black History Month Unity Choir under the direction of the Rev. James Hamler. It includes singers and choirs from around the Tri-State and a special children's choir.

African American Museum Day at Wesselman Woods

Feb 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wesselman Woods, 551 N. Boeke Road. Free.

The museum partners with Wesselman Woods for free access to all trails, the five-acre nature playscape, the treehouse and the bird sanctuary. Members of the museum will be on hand to provide information about the museum, the eclipse and Black history.

Ivy Tech Community College

African American Read-In

Feb. 1, noon-2 p.m. in Room 107.

Celebrate Black History Month by sharing stories, poems, or essays written by Black authors or featuring Black stories. Those who would like to participate should contact Andrea Jefferson at ajefferson32@ivytech.edu.

Black Wax Museum

Feb. 20, 12:15-1 p.m. in Room 107. Free.

The Ivy Tech Black student groups are hosting a live wax museum that features storytelling of influential people throughout Black history.

At-Large candidate Courtney Johnson.
At-Large candidate Courtney Johnson.

Black History Month speaker Courtney Johnson

Feb. 22 at noon in the Bower-Suhrheinrich Visual Arts Center. Free.

Ivy Tech is hosting Evansville City Councilor Courtney Johnson as this year's keynote speaker for Black History Month.

Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library

Black History Scavenger Hunt

All month at the EVPL Red Bank branch. Free.

This activity features a hunt around the library about some famous books and their authors.

"Hidden Figures" Teen STEM Fest

Feb. 2 at 4 p.m., EVPL Central branch in the Browning Room. Free.

The library invites teens to try coding and various STEM activities based on Margot Lee Shetterly's "Hidden Figures" book.

Fall in Love with the Arts

Feb 2, 5 p.m., EVPL East branch auditorium. Free.

Each Friday, the library will host a local artist to share their artwork with the community

  • Feb. 2 - Dominica Musician Zion, who spreads a message in music.

  • Feb. 9 - Fiber artist Nana Wing, who creates multicultural dolls

  • Feb. 16 - Photographer Mario Warren helps artists create artwork for their music albums

Unity quilting with paper squares

Feb. 10, 1:30 p.m., EVPL Stringtown branch. Free.

Members of the community are invited to create paper squares for the Stringtown unity quilt that will be displayed outside their meeting room to commemorate Black History Month.

Movie Monday

Feb. 19, 5 p.m., EVPL West branch. Free.

Enjoy popcorn and drinks with a screening of the Spike Lee classic "Do the Right Thing."

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Black History Month events in Evansville for 2024