Celebrating our Black history, culture

Every year, the number of community events, tributes and resources celebrating Black History Month in Oklahoma City grows. There are so many ways to celebrate, support and learn about Black culture, art and history in our community.

On Feb. 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Ralph Ellison Library is showing the documentary Descendant and hosting a discussion with the Society of Urban Poets at 2000 NE 23rd, as part of their Black History Month celebration. (https://www.metrolibrary.org/event/urban-poets-8)

The Oklahoma Historical Society is hosting lectures, films and teaching resources about Black History in Oklahoma. (okhistory.org)

The Arts Council of Oklahoma City presents artists and musicians for their Art Moves lunchtime series on Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. In February, Art Moves is featuring exclusively Black artists, with singer/songwriter Sarafina Byrd to perform at Leadership Square on Feb. 7, local hip-hop artist LTZ to perform at Culture Coffee on Feb. 14, RnB artist Rod Porter performing at Leadership Square on Feb. 21 and abstract painter Tiffani Nicole creating art in the Devon Energy Center on Feb. 28.

Through Feb. 21, Myriad Gardens will feature Voices, an art exhibition from six local Black artists that explores how they use art to communicate and reflect: Aunj Braggs, Myriah Downs, Ebony Iman Dallas, Verdean Evergarden, Edward Grady and Elizabeth Henley. View the gallery free during lobby hours Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Works of art are for sale.

During the month of February, the National Cowboy Museum (1700 NE 63rd St.) is offering activities and exhibits to learn about Black history in the West and African American soldiers, known as Buffalo Soldiers. The museum is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

Starting Feb. 18, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art will feature the painted series by artist William H. Johnson, Fighters for Freedom, a tribute to Black activists, scientists, teachers and performers as well as international heads of state working to bring peace to the world. The collection is drawn from more than 1,000 works by Johnson, painted in the mid-1940s.

I encourage you to participate and invite others to engage in one or more of these events to support our local artists, learn and honor our people and history.