The Town of Carrboro is celebrating Black History Month throughout February.
Since its beginnings as a weeklong recognition by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926, Black History Month has grown to include opportunities for education, reflection and celebration. All month long, we’ll share various celebrations of Black history.
Please see the schedule below, organized and planned by the Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department, including:
Black History Month Proclamation
During the Town Council meeting on Feb. 1, Mayor Damon Seils issued a proclamation recognizing Black History Month in the Town of Carrboro. Read the proclamation, which recognizes many Black people who have played significant roles in the life of our community, including Robert “Bob” Drakeford, Braxton Foushee, Hilliard Caldwell, Henry “Hank” Anderson, Joal Hall Broun, Michelle Johnson, Barbara Foushee, Fred Joiner, and Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten, at https://townofcarrboro.org/DocumentCenter/View/10575/Black-History-Month-Proclamation-2022
Virtual Youth Art Exhibit
Local student artists submit original artwork that expresses what Black History Month means to them. Select artwork will be displayed on the Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources website during the month of February. If you are a local student interested in submitting your work, please contact Dana Hughes at dhughes@townofcarrboro.org or 919.918.7372 for instructions on submission.
28 Days of Black History Trivia
February is dedicated as Black History Month, honoring the triumphs and struggles of African Americans throughout U.S. history, including civil rights movements, cultural and political achievements. Test your knowledge or learn something new each day. There will be one trivia question and answer posted each day on the Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/carrbororec
Inspiring Black History Month Quotes to Remember
Need a little inspiration to start your day? Check out these wonderful, inspirational quotes from civil rights icons. One quote will be posted each day on the Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/carrbororec
February 1
Poets Open Mic Night
Virtual Event via Zoom
7 - 8:30 p.m.
The Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources monthly open mic allows local poets to engage with others and share the power and diversity of poetry. While the program is open to all topics, we encourage those interested to share work that celebrates Black History Month. This program will be held via Zoom at the following link: https://t.co/SIyGiJDRuZ
February 2
North Carolina Museum of Art and State Farmers Market Senior Trip
9:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
$10/person; Ages 18+
Enjoy a morning stroll through the NC Museum of Art. The exhibition featured is NC Artist Connections: The Beautiful Project, Stephen Hayes and Hong-An Truong. Stephen Hayes explores historical depictions of African Americans as they relate to social justice. Hong-An Truong connects to issues of communication (and misunderstanding) between disparate cultures. The Beautiful Project grapples with ideas of memory and ritual. We will eat lunch at the State Farmers Market Restaurant before heading back to Carrboro. Bring money for lunch.
February 3
Black History Month Senior (50+) Bingo
Carrboro Century Center
10 - 11:30 a.m.
Join us to test your knowledge of Black History or just to have fun as we play bingo. For more information, contact Dana Hughes at dhughes@townofcarrboro.org or 919.918.7372.
February 6
Black Experiences with Storyteller Donna Washington
2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Carrboro Century Center
$3/person
Donna Washington is an internationally known, multiple award-winning storyteller, spoken word recording artist, and author. A highly-animated performer, she has been entertaining, educating, and inspiring audiences with her vocal pyrotechnics, elastic face, and deep characterizations that bring folklore, literary tales, and personal narratives to life for over thirty years. This show will be in honor of Black History Month and is suited for middle schoolers to adults. For more information on registration, contact Robbin Justice-Jones at rjones@townofcarrboro.org or 919.918.7368.
February 9
Family Fun Sunday Series with JeGhetto
Carrboro Century Center
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
$3/person
Tarish Pipkins a.k.a. Jeghetto has fine-tuned his skills by doing street performances with his puppets. He has worked with Paperhand Puppet Intervention. He has built puppets and performed in several Paperhand productions. Most recently, Jeghetto had the pleasure to work with national recording artist, Missy Elliott on her music video, WTF (Where They From) controlling the Pharell puppet and doing some puppet building. He also worked on the Amazon Echo commercial featuring Missy Elliott and Alec Baldwin as puppets. Children and adults alike will be amazed. For more information, contact Robbin Justice-Jones at rjones@townofcarrboro.org or 919.918.7368. If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department via email at programsdivision@townofcarrboro.org or by phone at 919.918.7364.
February 10
Celebrating Black America – Frederick Douglass’ The Lessons of the Hour
6 – 8 p.m.
Carrboro Century Center
Free/All ages
The Town of Carrboro will host local history scholars and community leaders to view Fred Morsell’s 1994 re-enactment of one of the last great speeches by Frederick Douglass entitled “The Lessons of the Hour.” Delivered at Jan. 9, 1894, at Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, Douglass’ speech addresses topics ranging from racial terror and lynching to colonization and voting rights. Followed by panel discussion with community leaders and scholars. Learn more at https://townofcarrboro.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1988
Celebrating Black America on Carrboro YouTube
Available videos include “Seven Generations in Carrboro – Conversations with Dolores Clark and her daughter Lorie Clark,” as well as a panel discussion of George Henry White, a U.S. Congressman from North Carolina's 2nd congressional district between 1897 and 1901; the Frederick Douglass Community Readings; and Carrboro’s Black Lives Matter Mural Artists Recognition. Find them all at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5JEg4H8hocMJtHpbLdFxWzbnhEcm_OO2
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