Black History Month is recognized across the United States to honor the success of African Americans in our nation’s history.
Here’s what’s going on the rest of the month in Bloomington.
City of Bloomington Events
The theme this year is “African Americans and Labor: From Slave Ships to the White House.”
The theme “highlights the contributions of Black Americans to industry, community development, and civil rights movements throughout history,” the city said in a press release.
The Black Market will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 15 at City Hall. The event pays homage to the 1968 Black Market Firebombing and features Black-owned businesses.
There is a ticketed gala March 1 to recognize the 2025 Living Legend recipients and the Commission on the Status of Black Males’ Outstanding Black Leaders of Tomorrow. There will be food, a silent auction and a reception starting at 6 p.m. at the Monroe Convention Center. Tickets are available on the Buskirk-Chumley Theater’s website through Feb. 25.
The city is also holding a student poster board contest for the chance to win an iPad or cash prize. Posters must highlight an influential Black historical figure and submissions will be judged starting at noon Feb. 22 at the City Hall Council Chambers.
IU events
The Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center has events happening throughout the month. The center kicks off Feb. 5 with a free hip-hop house party.
IU’s Black Film Center and Archive will also host multiple screenings and speakers throughout the month. All events are available on its website.
The Jacobs School of Music will host an African-American diasporic song performance by students of the voice department from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 11 in Auer Hall.
The Eskenazi Art Museum, Eskenazi School and the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center are hosting “For the Love of Black Art,” a free culture crawl Feb. 13. The event will include a tour of the museum from 4 to 5 p.m., an exhibition at the Grunwald Gallery from 5 to 6 p.m., and a performance and reception at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.
IU Cinema is hosting a screening of “Earth Mama” followed by a Q&A with IU Media School lecturer Robin Robinson starting at 7 p.m. Feb. 25. This is part of a month-long film series at IU titled “AfroFutures: Black Women and Cinematic Storytelling.”
The African American Choral Ensemble will perform a free concert in the School of Education Atrium from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 26.
The Dance Theatre of Harlem brings the month to a close with a performance at 8 p.m. March 1 at the IU Auditorium. Tickets are available through IU Auditorium.
Other special events
The Monroe County History Center is hosting a retrospective exhibit for the 50th anniversary of the African American Arts Institute. The exhibit opened Jan. 20 in the Hill Gallery and will run through May 31. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children and free for members. The History Center is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
WTIU is airing special programs for Black History Month, including local documentary “The Girl in the Yellow Scarf.” The documentary airs at 8 p.m. Feb. 6.
