February is Black History Month, a time to commemorate the achievements of Black Americans and recognize their central role in United States history. Here are 10 events in Montgomery County highlighting Black history, from films and author talks to live music.
Black History Month Family Day
February 14, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Woodlawn Manor House
16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Play traditional African music, share what freedom means to you, test your knowledge of African American figures and more at this hands-on family day.
Free | montgomeryparks.org
‘Selma’ Screening
February 14, 3-5:30 p.m. | Rockville Memorial Library
21 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850
The 2014 historical drama film “Selma” focuses on the efforts of Martin Luther King Jr., and the people of Selma, Alabama, to secure voting rights for African Americans in 1965; rated PG-13.
Free | mcpl.libnet.info
Afro Blue and Cyrus Chestnut: Together Again
February 14, 7:30-9:30 p.m. | BlackRock Center for the Arts
12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown, MD 20874
Afro Blue, the acclaimed vocal jazz ensemble from Howard University, performs a mix of musical genres including traditional and contemporary jazz hits, modern jazz and R&B-influenced original material, spirituals and gospel.
$20-$60 | blackrockcenter.org
Jubilee Voices Black History Month Concert
February 15, 3-4 p.m. | Josiah Henson Museum and Park
11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda, MD 20852
Sit back and enjoy as the ensemble Jubilee Voices — part of the Washington Revels — performs a concert in honor of Black History Month; for all ages.
$15 | montgomeryparks.org
‘Move When the Spirit Says Move’ Screening
February 20, 3-5 p.m. | Chevy Chase Library
8005 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 20815
See a documentary film about the life of civil rights activist Dorothy Foreman Cotton, the only woman on the executive staff of Martin Luther King Jr.
Free | mcpl.libnet.info
Derrick Tabor of the MoCo Lynching Memorial Project
February 21, 2-3 p.m. | Charles E. McGee Library
900 Wayne Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910
Hear from photojournalist Derrick Tabor on his exhibit “It Happened Here: Remembering Three Lynchings,” which reveals the forgotten history that occurred in our county. The exhibit focuses on two lynchings that took place in Rockville and one in Poolesville.
Free | mcpl.libnet.info
My Name is Not Tom: The Life of Rev. Josiah Henson
February 21, 3-5 p.m. | Silver Spring B&O Railroad Station
8100 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910
Join historian Susan Cooke Soderberg for a discussion of her latest book, the product of 10 years of research and travel to Kentucky, Ohio, New York and Ontario, retracing Rev. Henson’s footsteps.
African American Genealogy for Beginners
February 22, 2-3:15 p.m. | Germantown Library
19840 Century Blvd., Germantown, MD 20874
Learn how to explore your African American ancestry in this introductory workshop with the president of the MoCo chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society; no prior experience needed.
Free | mcpl.libnet.info
Book Talk: ‘Black in Blues’ by Imani Perry
February 22, 3-5 p.m. | Germantown Library
19840 Century Blvd., Germantown, MD 20874
The library’s African American Authors group will discuss “Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of my People” by Imani Perry,” in recognition of Black History Month.
Free | mcpl.libnet.info
The Life and Legacy of Rev. Josiah Henson
February 26, 6-7 p.m. | Connie Morella Library
7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD 20814
The Josiah Henson Museum and Park will present the life and legacy of Henson, an enslaved abolitionist, Methodist preacher, Underground Railroad conductor, entrepreneur and author.
Free | mcpl.libnet.info
