Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated February as Black History Month. This is a time to celebrate achievements by African Americans and for recognizing the central role of blacks in U.S. history. A number of free virtual events are scheduled across the community. Here are some we could find. If you know of any we’ve missed, please drop us an email with details to info@milehighonthecheap.com.
Ongoing in February
Free Puzzle Hunt For Black History Month
The family friendly puzzle hunt takes place over four stops on the larger, self-guided Five Points Historic Walking Tour. Illustrated signs along the route tell stories about the people, places and ideas that helped shape African-American culture and history in Denver. Though intended to be a way to celebrate Black History Month, this activity is evergreen and can be completed at any time or during any month.
To participate in the puzzle activity:
- Visit the Five Points website to familiarize yourself with the walking tour.
- Download and print the Five Points Puzzles puzzle sheet OR pick up a free printout at our store in the Flatiron Crossing Mall in Broomfield.
- Plan a visit to the Five Points district to take the walking tour beginning at the Blair-Caldwell Library at 2401 Welton St. The full tour is just under a mile in length and takes one to one-and-a-half hours to complete.
- Solve the Five Point Puzzles as you walk the tour. You can check your answers at the bottom of this web page.
Thursday, February 4
Tuskegee Airmen – An Active Minds Event
Online, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
The issue of race in the military extends from colonial times to the present day. This free, live webinar from Active Minds will explore a chapter of this story from World War II: the Tuskegee Airmen — the first Black military aviators in the U.S. armed forces.
‘Mavis!: Gospel Music Legend and Civil Rights Activist Mavis Staples’ – Doc & Talk Series
Online, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Denver Public Library will host a discussion about this award-winning documentary on gospel/soul music legend and civil rights icon Mavis Staples and her family group, the Staple Singers. Watch the film at your leisure (available for streaming on Kanopy with your library card) anytime before the online video discussion.
Saturday, February 6
Virtual 2021 Juanita Gray Community Service Award Presentation
Online, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
The Denver Public Library honors African American community leaders at the annual Juanita Gray Community Service Award Presentation. This year, please join virtually as we honor men, women and youth who have made outstanding contributions to the Denver metro area and who exemplify the ideals and spirit represented by Gray’s commitment to the community. Registration required.
Wednesday, February 10
The Year 1963 – An Active Minds Event
Online, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
1963 is considered a definitive year in the history of the civil rights movement. It also saw the peak of the Cold War, the seeds of the feminist movement, the rise of the youth culture and the tragic assassination of John F. Kennedy. During this free, live webinar from Active Minds, you’ll travel back in time to this key year in history and explore these and other milestone events.
Thursday, February 11
Meet Author Brit Bennett
Online, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Spend an evening at home with “New York Times” bestselling author Brit Bennet, author of “The Vanishing Half.” She will discuss her new novel about identical twin sisters who were once close, but ultimately choose to live in two very different worlds.
‘The Order of Myths: Racism in Mardi Gras Celebrations’ – Doc & Talk Series
Online, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This week the Denver Public Library will host a discussion about this award-winning documentary on the origins of Mardi Gras and the fact that, more than 300 years later, it is still racially segregated. Watch the film at your leisure (available for streaming on Kanopy with your library card) anytime before the online video discussion.
Wednesday, February 17
‘We’re Better Than This’ – A Discussion of Congressman Cummings’ Political Memoir
Online 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Join Denver Public Library for an evening with Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings (the Founder, President, and CEO of Global Policy Solutions), congressman Elijah Cummings’ widow, and co-author James Dale as they discuss Elijah Cummings’ inspiring book, “We’re Better Than This.” Registration required.
Ragtime & the Music of Scott Joplin – An Active Minds Event
Online, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Take a musical journey into the world of ragtime and Scott Joplin during this free, live webinar from Active Minds. Examine ragtime’s origins in African American traditions, its emergence among Tin Pan Alley tunes and its surge in popularity in the early 20th century.
Thursday, February 18
‘Thunder Soul’ – Doc & Talk Series
Online, 7–8 p.m.
This week the Denver Public Library will host a discussion about the documentary “Thunder Soul,” which follows alumni from Houston’s storied Kashmere High School Stage Band as they return home after 35 years to play a tribute concert for their beloved band leader who turned the struggling jazz band into a world-class funk powerhouse in the early 1970s. Watch the film at your leisure (available for streaming on Kanopy with your library card) anytime before the online video discussion.
Monday, February 22
Malcolm X – An Active Minds Event
Online, 2–3 p.m.
It’s been more than 55 years since the death of Malcolm X. Explore the life and legacy of this controversial civil rights leader during a free, live webinar from Active Minds and examine how Malcolm X’s efforts impacted history — and how his ideas continue to influence our society today.
Medicines of the Black American Captive with Community Herbalist Monticue Connally
Online, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Enslaved Africans survived in the harshest of conditions without the resources of their oppressors. How did they survive? Herbs! Learn about these medicinal plants, how slaves used them and how you can use them today in this virtual event from Denver Public Library.
Tuesday, February 23
‘The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature’ – R.A.D.A. Social Justice Book Discussion
Online, 6–7:30 p.m.
The R.A.D.A (Read. Awareness. Dialogue. Action.) program provides a safe and responsible space to discuss community issues and movements of the day with respect and compassion within a structured environment. Denver Public Library’s Black History Month selection, “The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature,” by J. Drew Lanham, examines the connection between the unwelcome reception of BIPOC folks in outdoor spaces and the weaponization of race. Participants are encouraged to read the book in advance.
Harriet Tubman – An Active Minds Event
Online, 1:30–3:30 p.m.
Born a slave in Maryland around 1820, Harriet Tubman escaped to freedom in 1849 and became the most famous “conductor” of the Underground Railroad, helping lead hundreds of slaves to freedom through a complex system of secret people and places. Join Active Minds for a free, live webinar about Tubman’s life and legacy, including her efforts fighting in the Civil War and later fighting for women’s suffrage.
Thursday, February 25
‘Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child’ – Doc & Talk Series
Online, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This week the Denver Public Library will host a discussion about this documentary on artist and iconoclast Jean-Michel Basquiat. Watch the film at your leisure (available for streaming on Kanopy with your library card) anytime before the online video discussion.
Saturday, February 27
Virtual Screening: “Black Men in White Coats”
Online, noon to 1:30 p.m.
Fewer Black men applied to medical school in 2014 than in 1978 and today, only 2% of American doctors are Black men. Even more concerning, Black men have the lowest life expectancy in the United States. Black Men in White Coats is a documentary that dissects the systemic barriers preventing Black men from becoming medical doctors and the significant consequences on society.
Arapahoe Libraries will host a virtual screening of this feature-length documentary. You must register at least 30 minutes in advance of the event start.