Black History Month in Pittsburgh 2021

February is Black History Month – an opportunity to recognize, centralize, and celebrate the role of Black people in the past and present of the United States and the world. Black history IS American history, but it is too often siloed and erased from the stories we tell.

As we celebrate Black history this month, we must also commit to honoring it year-round. Attention to our complex histories is essential to understanding the present moment, to imagining new, just futures, and to securing those just futures.

The fight for racial justice must be part of our everyday practices. Here in the Pittsburgh region, there are many ways to learn about and honor Black history, uplift the Black community locally, and support Black leaders in the work of anti-racism. We’ve compiled many of them here. We hope you will find the opportunities that speak to you, and that you will continue this work beyond the month of February.

Events, Celebrations, and More

Ongoing

Black History Month: Pittsburgh Jazz Legends – City of Pittsburgh
Black History Month at CLP – Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

January 31-February 6

Storytelling Event with Donna Washington – Carnegie Library – February 1
Charlie Garlick and the Underground Railroad (School Program) – Heinz History Center – February 4
AW Studio Sessions: Gerald Veasley and Carol Riddick – August Wilson African American Cultural Center – February 4
Black Girl Magic: Live Read – Arcade Comedy Theater – February 4

February 7-February 13

Antiracism in Pittsburgh: Community & Faith Voices – Social Justice Institutes at Carlow University – February 11
Martin Delany and Pittsburgh Abolitionists (School Program) – Heinz History Center – February 11
The Bonds of Family and Legacy – Heinz History Center – February 11
Black Families: Live Read – Arcade Comedy Theater – February 11
Seizing the Moment: Teaching Race and Racism Today with Dr. Hasan Jeffries – Heinz History Center – February 12
Pittsburgh’s Black Art Scene: Past, Present & Future – August Wilson African American Cultural Center – February 12
7th Annual Black History Month Lecture – (Re)Making History: Memory, Mythmaking, and the Civil Rights Movement – Heinz History Center – February 12
Live from the BBQ – Arcade Comedy Theater – February 12

February 14-February 20

Black Bottom Film Festival presents Mr. Soul! – August Wilson African American Cultural Center – February 15
YWCA Action Conversation on Race – Untold History: Women of Color in Pittsburgh – YWCA Greater Pittsburgh – February 17
Come Hell or High Water: The Battle for Turkey Creek – Heinz History Center – February 17
Western Pennsylvania and the Great Migration (School Program) – Heinz History Center – February 18
School Days: Live Read – Arcade Comedy Theater – February 18
An American Roast – Arcade Comedy Theater – February 19

February 21-Feburary 28

Jogging through History – Venture Outdoors – February 21
Zumba in the Park with Kemah – Venture Outdoors – February 21
We’re Better Than This by Elijah Cummings – A Virtual Conversation – Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – February 22
Black Feminist Film Screening and Panel – Just Films Series – February 23
Pittsburgh and the Civil Rights Movement (School Program) – Heinz History Center – February 25
How to Get Away with Scandal: Live Read – Arcade Comedy Theater – February 25
In Conversation: Where are the Black Makers, Artists, and Designers? – Carnegie Museum of Art – February 25
In the Black Sketchathon – Arcade Comedy Theater – February 26
Lit Fridays with Ming Smith – August Wilson African American Cultural Center – February 26
Black History Ride with Major Taylor Pittsburgh – Venture Outdoors – February 27
Improv Jam – Arcade Comedy Theater – February 28

Black Lives Matter: Recent History

Black History in Pittsburgh:

The Underground Railroad: Learn about the history of the Underground Railroad and visit significant sites in the Pittsburgh region.
From Slavery to Freedom: Explore the Heinz History Center exhibit online collection.
Teenie Harris Archives: View the archives of Charles “Teenie” Harris, who photographed the African American community in Pittsburgh from approx. 1935-1975, at their new permanent home at the Carnegie Museum of Art.

More Resources: Read / Watch / Listen

ON TiLT: The State of Black Mental Health and Policing in America with Julius Boatwright and Dannielle Brown – Live on Facebook Every Thursday (1Hood Media)
What Black Pittsburgh Needs to Know (1Hood Media, BW3, UrbanKind Institute)
Rebels of Black History Series (The Root)
Black History, Black Stories: 7 Books that Center Our Legacies for Longer Than a Month (The Root)
This List Of Books, Films And Podcasts About Racism Is A Start, Not A Panacea (NPR)

Support Black-Owned Businesses

Cocoapreneur – Visit Cocoapreneur to view a directory of black-owned businesses in Pittsburgh. Cocoapreneur provides support to businesses through advertising, marketing, and consulting. Founded by Khamil Scantling, the mission of Cocoapreneur is “to foster an environment of economic prosperity in order to ensure more sustainable neighborhoods for the historically African American communities and neighborhoods around Pittsburgh, PA.” Khamil Scantling was named one of PUMP and Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 Under 40 in 2020.
BlackOwnedPGH – Follow BlackOwnedPGH on Instagram for business spotlights and recommendations. Kyley Coleman created this project in 2020 and was named one of Pittsburgh City Paper’s People of the Year.

Supporting the Work of Racial Justice in Pittsburgh:

There are so many black-led organizations working to end racism, uplift black communities, and create positive change in our region. Here are a few groups that are black-led and/or work closely with the black community that you can connect with, volunteer for, donate to, and support:

We will continue to update this list throughout February. If you know of an event, organization, or resource that we missed, please submit it to our community calendar or email katie@pump.org. Thank you!