Columbus libraries, arts groups, more offer slate of events

With Black History Month upon us, there are plenty of ways for people of all races and ages across Greater Columbus to learn and honor the accomplishments Black people have made throughout the years.

Several Columbus institutions and organizations will host family-friendly programming throughout the month, recounting the history and culture of the Black community. The majority of the events are focused on local figures, such as the works of artists Aminah Robinson and Bruce Robinson at the King Arts Complex and the Columbus Museum of Art, respectively.

Black History Month: Museum highlights African American history, art including homage to Black women from Ohio

The Columbus Metropolitan Library is hosting several in-person and virtual Black History Month events, including multiple sessions with Columbus hip-hop dance group BHB (Brothers Helping Bruthas).

Here’s a list of just some of the many Black History Month events happening around the region:

King Arts Complex

2022 Aminah Day

Feb. 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 835 Mount Vernon Ave.

The King Arts Complex is celebrating one of Columbus’ preeminent artists, Aminah Robinson, by offering a series of workshops inspired by her work. The nine workshops are free and supplies are provided. Registration is required and guests should only sign up for one workshop.

Columbus Museum of Art

Bruce Robinson: Flutterby

Through April 24, 480 E. Broad Street

The exhibit presents a range of paintings and assemblages by the longstanding Columbus-based artist and educator. Often inspired by actual people and specific histories, Robinson’s exhibit features images of Black athletes, musicians, and dancers painted and cut out of plywood.

Ohio History Connection

Hidden Figures Revealed: Dynamic History of Black Mathematicians from The Ohio State University

Thursday, 7 p.m., online

Presented by Ranthony Edmonds, a postdoctoral scholar at Ohio State University, this virtual event will teach guests about the history of Black math students and professionals. Nearly 200 mathematicians that identify as Black have earned degrees from the Department of Mathematics at OSU, yet their stories and legacies remain untold. Registration is required.

Story continues

The Tea Room

Feb. 19, 11 a.m., 800 E. 17th Ave.

The Tea Room is a contemporary version of the African American Tea Ceremony that began in the mid-19th century. Annually on Feb. 15, enslaved people were given teas and food from plantation Valentine’s Day celebrations. This tradition evolved into gatherings held at churches and, later, Black-owned tea houses. The cost is $15 or $10 for members.

Vanishing Communities — Preserving Cultural Heritage Through Photography

Feb. 26, 11 a.m., 800 E. 17th Ave.

Hear from local photographers Shellee Fisher, T. Graves and James Reid as they discuss the changing dynamics of neighborhoods due to urban renewal and how photography is one method for preserving the essential stories of Black communities. Included with museum admission.

Ohio Statehouse

From the Heart, So Much to Discover: The Heritage of Ohio’s Black Voices

Tuesday, 12 p.m., Statehouse Atrium, 1 Capitol Square

Experience the heritage of promise, strength, humor and hope in the lives and words of a few of Ohio’s Black voices, shared by Lyn Ford. As a person of African-American heritage who was raised in Appalachia, Ford is known as an Affrilachian storyteller.

Of Memory and History: An Affrilachian Storyteller Speaks

Feb. 22, 12 p.m., Statehouse Atrium

Affrilachian culture, stories and folktales are shared Ford.

Columbus Metropolitan Library

The Columbus Metropolitan Library system is offering many programs for Black History Month at its branches. Here are a few, but a more complete list can be found here.

Driving Park branch (1422 E. Livingston Ave.)

• Hip-Hop Dance with BHB (Feb. 23, 4:30 p.m.): Dance to some beats and learn to perfect your moves in this hip-hop class for kids ages 7-17. The group will be performing at other library branches as well during February.

Hilliard branch (4500 Hickory Chase Way, Hilliard)

• Urban Strings Community Concert (Saturday, 2 p.m.): The youth string ensemble will perform music from popular African American composers. The ensemble will be performing at other locations as well over the course of the month.

Linden branch (2223 Cleveland Avenue)

• Art Afternoon with Ohio Craft Museum (Friday, 4 p.m.): Guests ages 7-17 can explore the life and works of Columbus artist Elijah Pierce and make a wooden sculpture in his style. An event focused on Aminah Robinson will take place Feb. 18.

Main Library (96 S. Grant Ave.)

• Turtle Shell Tales with Lyn Ford (Feb. 19, 11 a.m.): Young children can enjoy African and African American tales of the fabled turtle and tortoise by storyteller Lyn Ford, who will be appearing for programs at other branches as well.

Shepard branch (850 N. Nelson Road)

South High branch (3540 S. High St.)

• West African Rhythm with Sogbety (Thursday, 4 p.m.): Guests of all ages can explore West Africa with drummer Sogbety Diomande, a native of Ivory Coast. Attendees will learn about drumming, dance, rhythms and songs.

Whitehall branch (4445 E. Broad St.)

• Singing, Drumming and Dancing with BabaaRitah (Monday, 3 p.m.): Attendees of all age can learn songs, dance and drumming from West Africa from BabaaRitah Clark.

Online

• Columbus’ Black Newspapers (Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m.): Join African American Special Collections Librarian Nicole Sutton in this virtual event to discover historic African American-owned and operated newspapers in Columbus. Registration is required.

• Staff Picks Live: African American Authors (Feb. 22, 7 p.m.): Join some of the library staff online as they discuss their favorite African American authors and the books they’ve written. Guests can also bring their own recommendations. Registration is required.

• African American Genealogy with Nicka Sewell-Smith (Feb. 24, 6:30 p.m.): Attendees can discover ways to identify their free or enslaved ancestors and learn how DNA is helping families torn apart by slavery. Registration is required.

Micah Walker is the Dispatch trending reporter. Reach her at [email protected] or 740-251-7199. Follow her on Twitter @micah_walker701.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Where to celebrate Black History Month in Columbus, Ohio