Learn about and celebrate Black history in February
The 28 days of February are a good time to start learning about the contributions of Black people to America and the world and continue that learning and appreciation throughout the rest of the year.
“Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history,” according to history.com. “Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of ‘Negro History Week,’ the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.”
And America is not alone in recognizing the contributions of Black people as other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.
While there are incredible places such as museums, libraries, memorials and historic sites across the country highlighting African-American history and culture, one doesn’t even have to leave Georgia to begin that exploration.
From Atlanta to Savannah, Cassville to Columbus there are an abundance of places rich with history about the accomplishments and contributions Black Americans have made to society and how they have overcome unimaginable hardships.
DeKalb History Center
Historic DeKalb Courthouse
101 E. Court Square, Decatur
“Black Church Music” is the focus of DeKalb History Center’s 15th Annual Black History Month Celebration. Held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 9, this year’s program is expected to be “filled with soul-stirring gospel music and riveting talks about the role Black Church music has played in Georgia’s social and political arenas.” Tickets $40-$50 and includes lunch. For more information, go to 2023 Black History Month Celebration | DeKalb History Center
Flat Rock Archives
3956 Crossdale Road, Stonecrest
Located in the city of Stonecrest and nestled in the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, Flat Rock Archives is dedicated to preserving and sharing rural African-American history in Georgia. It is described as being “housed within a historical landscape and currently maintain the 20th century Georgian cottage know as the T. A. Bryant, Sr. House which was built in 1917.” It also includes a barn, smokehouse, and outhouse constructed in the 20th century as well as “the oldest standing historical house in DeKalb County known as the Lyon’s house and Historic Flat Rock Cemetery with burials dating back to enslaved people. Call or email for a museum tour at (470) 940-7964 or flatrockarchives@mail.com Tour tickets $7 to $10.
Apex Museum
135 Auburn Ave. NE, Atlanta
Located on a street once known as The Richest Negro Street in the World (Fortune Magazine, 1956) and housed within a 100-year-old building erected by African-American masons, lies the APEX Museum.
The APEX Museum is the oldest Black history museum in Atlanta. Founded in 1978 by filmmaker Dan Moore Sr., the museum maintains diverse exhibits rotated quarterly and is dedicated to “telling the rich and often untold story of people of the African Diaspora.”
The museum is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Tickets $8-$12. For details, visit apexmuseum.org.
The King Center
449 Auburn Ave. NE, Atlanta
In addition to being the final resting place of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, The King Center is also home to Freedom Hall. Exhibits of art from Africa and Georgia as well as exhibits honoring the Kings, Mahatma Gandhi and Rosa Parks are housed here. For more information, go to thekingcenter.org
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
100 Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard NW
Atlanta
“The National Center for Civil and Human Rights believes in justice and dignity for all – and the power of people to make this real,” states the venue’s website. “We inspire visitors and our other audiences with immersive exhibitions, dynamic events and conversations, and engagement and education/training programs.” Tickets $15.99 to $19.99. For details, go to civilandhumanrights.org.
Other not-to-be missed Black history venues throughout Georgia and Alabama are:
• Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum in Savannah
• Pin Point Heritage Museum in Savannah
• Noble Hill-Wheeler Memorial Center in Cassville
• Black Heritage Trail in Columbus
• Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama
• The National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama
• Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, Alabama
