What To Do In The ATL For Black History Month

Getty: Paras Griffin
Photo credit Getty: Paras Griffin

It's Black History Month in the ATL, and with Atlanta being one of the birthplaces of the civil rights movement and being so rich in Black culture and history, it makes sense for there to be a number of events happening all month long.

Of course, you can visit the King Center and the National Center For Civil and Human Rights, but there are also tons of library programs, talks, live performances and family-friendly festivals, happening all month long. Take a moment and check out some events happening all throughout ht emonth below.

Atlanta & Fulton County
Celebrate Black History Month with CMOA
Feb. 1 – 28
Children's Museum of Atlanta, Atlanta
Enjoy family-friendly activities highlighting African American leaders in science and art through interactive storytimes and hands-on experiments.

East Lake Family YMCA Black History Month Parade 
Feb. 7
Eva Davis Way, Atlanta
Celebrate the 6th annual community parade honoring 25 years of Black excellence and local leadership in the East Lake neighborhood.

Wheat Street Baptist Church Vendor Marketplace & Pop-Up Shop
Feb. 7
Wheat Street Baptist Church, Atlanta
A community-centered Black History Month marketplace bringing together local entrepreneurs and artisans to celebrate culture, heritage and cooperative economics. The event also includes free historic church tours highlighting Wheat Street’s role in Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn and civil rights history.

Dad’s Garage BlackGround
Feb. 7
Roswell Cultural Arts Center, Roswell
An all-Black comedy showcase featuring hilarious performers, special guests and a high-energy celebration of Black culture and comedy. Tickets required.

Atlanta Black History 365 & Civil Rights Experience Tour 
Feb. 8
Marriott Marquis Hotel, Atlanta
Explore major landmarks of the Civil Rights Movement, including the MLK National Historical Park and the Sweet Auburn district, on this curated bus tour.

"School Daze" 38th Anniversary Screening With Spike Lee
Feb. 10
Fox Theatre, Atlanta
Spike Lee returns to Atlanta for a special 38th anniversary screening of his 1988 film School Daze, celebrating the city’s HBCU legacy and Black History Month. Lee will introduce the film, with themed merchandise available and student discounts offered.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 
Feb. 11 – 15
Fox Theatre, Atlanta
Experience the world-renowned dance company as they perform "Revelations" and other groundbreaking contemporary works.

Atlanta Black Expo 
Feb. 20 – 22
Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta
Attend "The Black Business Superbowl" featuring over 200 vendors, professional workshops, and a massive community homecoming tailgate party.

BAM! A Celebration of Black Artists in Music
Feb. 23
SCADshow, Atlanta
SCAD’s acclaimed Black History Month concert series returns with a high-energy celebration of Black music, featuring Grammy-nominated vocalist Avery Wilson, Tony Award nominee Amber Iman, American Idol winner Candice Glover and SCAD student performers, honoring the global impact of Black artists across genres. Tickets required.

Young John Lewis in Concert 
Feb. 26
Roswell Cultural Arts Center, Roswell
Watch a high-energy hip-hop musical that celebrates the early life and courageous activism of the late U.S. Representative John Lewis.

College Park Black History Month Program 
Feb. 28
Georgia International Convention Center, College Park
Join a local community celebration featuring performances and cultural exhibits hosted by the City of College Park.

Gwinnett County

Celebrate Black History Month: Gwinnett County 
Feb. 21
Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, Lawrenceville
Participate in an evening of music, dance, and art honoring the national theme of "A Century of Black History Commemorations."

Black History Month Poetry Slam 
Feb. 21
Gwinnett Community Resource Center, Lawrenceville
Honor Black history through the power of the spoken word with a live competition featuring local performers.

A Taste of Black Gwinnett
Feb. 27
Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center, Norcross
Explore African American culture through soul food samplings, spoken word performances, and trivia hosted by the Gwinnett County Black Chamber of Commerce.

DeKalb & Cobb Counties

Free Intro to Afro-Brazilian Capoeira Workshop
Feb. 4
Core Dance Downtown Decatur, Decatur
A free, beginner-friendly capoeira workshop celebrating Afro-Brazilian movement, music and culture.

DeKalb County Public Library Black History Month Programs
February
DeKalb County Public Library branches
More than 20 free programs will be held throughout February at library branches across DeKalb County, highlighting Black history through civil rights discussions, historical exhibits, films, crafts and youth activities. Some programs require advance registration.

Pop-in for Family Fun: Black History Month 
Feb. 21
Marietta History Center, Marietta
Engage with local history through hands-on activities and educational exhibits focusing specifically on Black Inventors in Cobb County.

Stepping Into Tradition: The Divine Nine
Feb. 26
DeKalb History Center, Decatur
A Black History Month program celebrating the Divine Nine historically Black fraternities and sororities, featuring a multimedia presentation on their history, leadership and cultural impact, with audience participation and opening remarks from DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. Tickets required.

Gwinnett County

Wisdom Sharing With the Elders: Lunch & Learn
Feb. 7
Heritage Hall at Salem Missionary Baptist Church, Lilburn
A Lunch & Learn featuring a panel of community elders sharing history and personal reflections, followed by a tour of Heritage Hall. Food will be provided. RSVP required.

Annual Black History, Art & Culture CommUNITY Celebration
Feb. 15
Lawrenceville Arts Center, Lawrenceville
A youth-centered celebration of Black history, art and culture featuring performances and local vendors. Tickets are sold out, but the event will be livestreamed and available to watch later online. Donations are welcome.

North Georgia
Black Experiences in the American Revolution 
Feb. 10
Northeast Georgia History Center, Gainesville (Hall County)
Join historian Glen Kyle for a lecture and Q&A session exploring the often-overlooked roles of Black individuals during the American Revolution.

Cartersville Black History Parade 
Feb. 28
Downtown Cartersville, Cartersville
Close out the month with a festive parade through downtown featuring marching bands, floats, and a community festival at Friendship Plaza.

Source: Fox 5

Featured Image Photo Credit: Getty: Paras Griffin