Black History Month in New York
How is Black History Month Celebrated in NYC?
Black History Month, also called African-American History Month, is an officially recognized month dedicated to remembering the people and events in Black history.
Given that New York is one of the United States’ most prominent cities for Black history and culture, it’s worth taking a visit to honor the lived history and current impacts of Black Americans.
When is Black History Month honored in NYC?
Each year, Black History Month is celebrated in February. Typically, Black History Month events in NYC will begin taking place on February 1st, 2024, and end on February 28th, 2024.
What events take place in NYC during Black History Month?
One way of finding the best events in NYC during Black History Month is to look toward NYC cultural centers, events, and groups to see what they’re planning. There will often be events during the week and on the weekend in each of NYC’s five boroughs.
Here are just a few of many great events coming up:
- The Harlem Chamber Players will present their 16th Annual Black History Month Celebration on Thursday, February 15, 2024.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Black History Month Commemorative Awards Luncheon on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Long Island Marriott.
- The Museum of the City of New York celebrates Black History Month with special exhibitions and collections
- During the month of February, the New York Public Library honors Black History Month with a series of events, programs, recommended readings, blog posts, and a diverse range of resources tailored for individuals of all ages.
- more events TBA
However you choose to celebrate and honor Black History Month, NYC is one of the best cities in which to do so. The amazing culture and the lived experience combine for unforgettable moments. With historical landmarks, monuments, and parks dedicated to prominent Black Americans and events put on by those making Black history today, there is something for everyone throughout the month!
Explore Harlem’s most vibrant neighborhoods
This insider walking tour will teach you all about Harlem’s diverse cultural and social history. It will take you to the Mount Morris Historic District, which will be introduced to you by a New York guide. You will be surprised by how elegant the houses are here and how much history this part of New York City will tell you. Exciting!
Are there Black History Month parades in NYC?
While NYC does not plan any official Black History Month parades, there are plenty of events throughout the city and throughout the month.
What is New York City’s connection to Black History Month?
New York City is filled with connections to Black history and important Black Americans. That can be seen in the many African-American Namesake Parks in the city, including Martin Luther King Triangle, Dred Scott Bird Sanctuary, Grant Park, and Elston Gene Howard Field.
There are also a number of cultural sites dedicated to the African diaspora, including the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute, the Louis Armstrong House Museum, the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial & Educational Center, the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Art, the Sandy Ground Historical Society Museum, the African Burial Ground National Monument, and more.
The New York Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website also includes a number of ways to explore NYC’s many historical ties to Black History Month.
FAQ
FAQ
Where are the historically Black areas of NYC?
Part of honoring the contribution of Black Americans is understanding their impact in the cities we live in and visit. A trip to NYC for Black History Month should include a few of these stops:
- Cedar Playground – Called the birthplace of Hip Hop, Cedar Playground (then known as Cedar Park) in the Bronx is the site of perhaps the first Hip Hop party on August 11, 1973
- New York’s Municipal Slave Market – A market established in 1711 and used through 1762 to sell slaves used to exist on Wall Street between Pearl and Water Streets, which is also near one of New York’s first slave uprisings.
- The Tree of Hope – Located in Harlem at 131st Street and Seventh Avenue, this was an iconic spot for stage performers.
- The Underground Railroad – This former network of sanctuaries and safehouses extended from the South and the former Confederate States up through the Northern states, including New York. Some of the final spots of the railroad are believed to be in Flushing, Queens.
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