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Black History Month Events Across Cleveland and Northeast Ohio

Writer's picture: David JonesDavid Jones

CLEVELAND, OH — Northeast Ohio has a deep and lasting connection to Black history, with Cleveland playing a vital role in the fight for civil rights, the arts, politics, and cultural advancement. The region served as an essential stop along the Underground Railroad, where abolitionists helped enslaved individuals find freedom. Harriet Tubman herself is believed to have traveled through Ohio, guiding freedom seekers northward to Canada. Cleveland’s location along Lake Erie made it a critical hub in this movement, with local churches and homes providing shelter to those escaping slavery.


Cleveland has also been home to trailblazing Black leaders who shaped the city and the nation. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, a Cleveland native, made history as the first Black woman elected to Congress from Ohio. She was a fierce advocate for voting rights, economic justice, and education, leaving behind a legacy of public service that continues to inspire. Langston Hughes, one of the most influential voices of the Harlem Renaissance, spent part of his youth in Cleveland, where he attended Central High School. It was during his time in the city that he began developing his literary voice, later becoming one of America’s most celebrated poets and social commentators.


The city’s contributions to Black history extend beyond politics and literature. Institutions like Karamu House, the oldest Black theater in the country, have provided a stage for African American artists and playwrights for over a century. Musicians like Tracy Chapman and Gerald Levert also emerged from Cleveland, contributing to the nation’s rich musical heritage. Meanwhile, the city’s impact on sports history includes figures like Larry Doby, who broke the American League’s color barrier when he joined the Cleveland Indians in 1947, just months after Jackie Robinson integrated Major League Baseball.


Throughout February, events across Northeast Ohio will celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Americans, honoring the region’s historical ties and ongoing influence. From performances and educational programs to museum exhibitions and film screenings, there are countless ways for residents to engage with and reflect on the legacies of these remarkable figures. We encourage attendees to contact organizers for the most up-to-date event details, as dates, times, and locations may be subject to change.


CUYAHOGA COUNTY

Cuyahoga County Public Library Events:

  • Faith Ringgold Collage Take-and-Make – Feb. 1-28, South Euclid-Lyndhurst Branch

  • Faith Ringgold Artist Deep Dive – Feb. 17, 2 p.m., Garfield Heights Branch (registration required)

  • Stagecoach Mary Fields Presentation – Feb. 4, 7 p.m., Independence Branch (registration required)

  • Women in History Presents: Ella Fitzgerald – Feb. 8, 2 p.m., Middleburg Heights Branch (registration required)

  • George Crum and the Potato Chip Activity – Feb. 10, 4 p.m., Chagrin Falls Branch (registration required)

  • Celebrate Quilts in Black History – Feb. 22, 2 p.m., Warrensville Heights Branch (registration opens Jan. 22)

  • Black History Month on Kanopy – Stream films about Black history with a library card

Cleveland Cavaliers Black Heritage Celebrations:

  • Feb. 21 vs. New York Knicks at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

  • Recognition of Black excellence in Economic Empowerment, Education, Mentorship, and STEM

City of Cleveland Events at City Hall:

  • 52nd Annual Black History Month Flag Raising – Feb. 1, 11:30 a.m.

  • Cleveland Has Talent – Feb. 3, 12-2 p.m.

  • Art Exhibition: "Artists Run the Streets" – Feb. 6, 5-7:30 p.m.

  • Health Fair – Feb. 14, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Cleveland Hopkins Airport)

  • CMSD Musical Performance: "Ease on Down the Road – A Musical Journey Through Time" – Feb. 21, 12 p.m.

  • Closing Luncheon Ceremony – Feb. 27, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (Invitation Only)

Cleveland Museum of Art Black History Month Tours:

  • Sundays (Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23) at 12 p.m.

  • Wednesdays (Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26) at 6 p.m. (Tickets required)

Playhouse Square Performances:

  • Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

  • Black Boy

  • Fat Ham

  • Cleveland’s Valentine Love Jam

Baseball Heritage Museum:

  • Hot Stove Baseball Chat Series highlighting Negro League history

LAKE COUNTY

Black History Month Scavenger Hunt – Feb. 2-28, Mentor Public Library (Main Branch)

LORAIN COUNTY

Sunday Series: Billie Holiday – Feb. 2, 3-4 p.m., Lorain Public Library (North Ridgeville Branch)

Black Artists for Kids: Alma Thomas – Feb. 4, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Lorain Public Library (South Lorain Branch)

Black History Month Vibes – Feb. 6, 13, 27, 4:30 p.m., Lorain Public Library (Main Branch)

Black History Film Screening: "John Lewis: Good Trouble" – Feb. 22, 2-4 p.m., Lorain Public Library (South Lorain Branch)

PORTAGE COUNTY

Kent State University Black History Month 55th Anniversary Celebration – Feb. 1, 6-9 p.m., Kent Student Center Ballroom

False Positive: An Evening with Harry ‘Butch’ Reynolds and Ismail Al-Amin – Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m., Oscar Ritchie Hall, Kent State University


STARK COUNTY

Welcoming Our Curator of Black History – Feb. 5, 6 p.m., McKinley Presidential Library and Museum

Secrets of the Underground Railroad – Feb. 8, 10-11 a.m., Stark Library (Plain Community Branch)

Breaking Barriers: The Impact of Including Negro League Statistics in Major League Records – Feb. 22, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Stark Library (Main Library McKinley Room)

SUMMIT COUNTY

Black Author Book Tasting – Feb. 1, all-day, Akron-Summit County Public Library (Maple Valley Branch)

Family Story Time: Black History Month – Feb. 1, 2-3 p.m., Akron-Summit County Public Library

Archaeology & The Great African American Migration to Akron – Feb. 10, 5:30 p.m., Akron-Summit County Public Library (Odom Boulevard Branch)

Celebrating Black History Month Concert – Feb. 19, 7:30-9 p.m., Guzzetta Recital Hall, University of Akron


These events provide a chance to honor and learn about Black history in meaningful ways. If you know of an event that should be added to the list, please reach out to us at tips@cleveland13news.com.

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