The City of Birmingham Department of Youth Services (DYS) is excited to celebrate Black History Month. This month, DYS will be highlighting heroes from all aspects of Black History. Black History Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions and accomplishments of African Americans throughout history. It is a time to reflect on the challenges that they have faced and overcome, and to acknowledge the immense impact they have had on shaping the world we live in today.
As we celebrate Black History Month, it is important to remember and honor the achievements of those who came before us and to continue working towards a brighter future for all. DYS wants to use this opportunity to educate ourselves and others, by providing resources and opportunities all this month.
Resources
Birmingham Public Library Resources
https://bplolinenews.blogspot.com/2023/02/free-black-history-month-databases.html
Arts and Events
Negro Southern League Museum
Pitch Talk February 18th 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m
Reception with Players hosted by the NSLM honoring the contribution of Birmingham’s Industrial League. Enjoy actors of the Make It Happen Theatre Company Adult and Youth Ensembles, who will present monologues from Alicia Johnson-Williams’ play, “Home Plate Heroes.”
Birmingham’s Children Theatre
Don’t Tell Me I Can’t Fly February 11th & 25th
Nine-year-old Tonia Bridge is growing up in 1964. Her artistic soul is at odds with her parents’ fears and pragmatism – she tries to please her mother by wearing safe, but drab, clothing and she tries to please her father by making a beautiful science project she thinks will make him proud. But in the end, Tonia finds her way, the only way possible: by allowing her parents to see her true self with all her flaws, beauty and possibilities.
Lift Every Voice: Black Hisotry Festival February 10th -12th
Lift Every Voice is a three day celebration honoring achievements of Black artists in our community through theatre, dance, music, poetry, art, literature, panels, talkbacks, and workshops.
This FREE event is open to all ages and all communities. A variety of performances and workshops will be offered from collaborating Black artists, educators, and organizations with a specific focus on making an impact on how we celebrate Black history.
Lift Every Voice is made possible through a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham.
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Kwame Brathwrite: Black Is Beautiful Art Exhibition Reception February 9th 6:00 p.m. – 8:00p.m.
Known as the “keeper of the images,” Kwame Brathwaite deployed his photography from the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s as an agent of social change.
The exhibition Black Is Beautiful: The Photography of Kwame Brathwaite and the accompanying Aperture publication are made possible, in part, by generous support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Photographic Arts Council Los Angeles.
The Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts presentation is organized by Tina Ruggieri, Assistant Curator.
A.G. Gaston Conference
A.G Gaston Conference February 21st -22nd
The A G Gaston Conference is Alabama’s premier Black History Month event celebrating excellence, entrepreneurship and black enterprise.
