Carter G. Woodson, an African American historian and writer, founded Black History Week in 1926 to encourage the study of African American history. He chose February to rally around the birthdays of abolitionist Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln. During the nation's bicentennial in 1976, Grand Rapids' own President Gerald R. Ford expanded the week to a month writing "we can seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."
Celebrate Black History in Downtown GR
Here below is a roundup of events taking place in Downtown Grand Rapids in recognition of Black History Month 2017.
If you know of an event taking place Downtown not presented below please drop us a note with the information to info@downtowngr.org. Our goal is to present a comprehensive listing of Black History Month events occurring in Downtown.
*Event dates/times subject to change.
February 2018
- African American Artists Tell the Story | Continued art exhibit at Fountain St. Church
- Story Quilts. The Message. | Continued exhibition at the Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives
- Martin Luther King Jr. – The Early Years | Continued photo exhibit at the Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives
Saturday, February 3, 2018
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Ethnic Heritage Festival| Grand Rapids Public Museum presents the day-long celebration of music, dance, crafts and food representing the various ethnic groups that call West Michigan home.
10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
- Black Family History Series | Series of workshops to learn about documenting family history featuring local and regional speakers at the Downtown Grand Rapids Public Library
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
- 36th Annual Giants Awards | Awards ceremony in DeVos Place recognize local individuals who have exhibited excellence in contributions from all aspects of community life.
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
2:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day & Night | Daytime and evening events around the 2018 national theme "Stay the course, the fight is not over!" at Pop-Up Shop GR
Friday, February 9, 2018
Time TBD
- MLK Celebration & Ice Sculpture Reveal | Unveiling of the I AM A MAN ice sculpture at the Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives
Saturday, February 10, 2018
10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
- Black Family History Series | Series of workshops to learn about documenting family history featuring local and regional speakers at the Downtown Grand Rapids Public Library
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
- Black Girl Magic Showcase | The Black-owned business, Creston Brewery, presents a day- and night-long celebration of the magical Black women in West Michigan
Friday, February 16, 2018
Time TBD
- Riot Race Reconciliation Film | Documentary viewing at Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives
Saturday, February 17, 2018
10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
- Black Family History Series | Series of workshops to learn about documenting family history featuring local and regional speakers at the Downtown Grand Rapids Public Library
Sunday, February 18, 2018
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
- Taste of Soul Sunday| Celebration of African American history and culture at the Downtown Grand Rapids Public Library
Monday, February 19, 2018
8:00 PM - 11:30 PM
- The Drunken Retort featuring Black History | Spoken word poetry honoring all that is Black History at Stella's Lounge
Saturday, February 24, 2018
10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
- Black Family History Series | Series of workshops to learn about documenting family history featuring local and regional speakers at the Downtown Grand Rapids Public Library
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Symphony with Soul - Ella, a Tribute | Grand Rapids Symphony celebrates the 100th anniversary of Ella Fitzgerald's birth at DeVos Performance Hall
Monday, February 26, 2018
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
- 11th Annual Legacy Luncheon | Celebration at the Amway Grand Plaza recognizes student scholars, community leaders and black heritage
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Time TBD
- Who Tells the Story: Unpacking conversations around art and race | Panel discussion at Fountain St. Church
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Time TBD
- What's so funny? Black Comedians & Social Change | Exhibition opens at the Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives
