PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The African American Museum in Philadelphia is offering a number of both virtual and in-person events for Black History Month, to celebrate and uplift the African American experience.
Ivan Henderson, the museum's vice president of programming, said throughout the month of February, the museum is offering movie screenings, artist workshops, musical performances, open discussions and more.
"On February 10, we're screening 13, the Ava DuVernay documentary, in partnership with Councilwoman Kendra Brooks, as well as the School District of Philadelphia," he said.
"Both of these are virtual screenings. They're free events. And they're meant to engage as many folks as possible, intergenerational audiences. There'll be chances to talk back and think about these things. But we really want our youngest folks, our young citizens to view these documentaries and give them a little bit of food for thought."
The theme for this year's Black History Month programming is Black joy as resistance, Henderson said, and the lineup will reflect that. There will also be fun and engaging programs for families and kids.
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One key event is a virtual reading called "The Power of Black Joy: A Reading and Conversation with Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts," on Thursday, February 17 at 6 p.m.
"It's being put on in partnership with Harriet's Bookshop, where you can go and purchase a copy of Tracy's book 'Black Joy,'" said Henderson.
"I can tell you, this is part of our year of Black joy as resistance, Black wellness and just healing. This started with a Washington Post article several years ago for Tracy and has become so much more and gone into a conversation at the book now."
Music is also a crucial part of the celebrations, with an event literally called "Setting the Tone."
"It'll be Sunday afternoons, and of course, Art Sanctuary is the setting and the Clef Club musicians bring the tones," said Henderson. "That's, you know, my very fun way of trying to introduce something new and hopefully, a delightful boutique experience for virtual audiences."
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The events are meant to foster conversations and understanding.
"70% of our audience identifies as black, which means 30% don't, so we want to be a comfortable place for uncomfortable conversations, and to share culturally resonant messages across the line of the culture. And so, you know, this is an honest way to do it," he shared.
The museum also has a grand finale in store with a Black History Month concert scheduled for Sunday, February 20. Details are still in the works but Henderson said it will definitely be an event to look forward to.