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How Bloomington celebrates Black History Month

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Bloomington, Indiana – Bloomington is prepared to commemorate the start of Black History Month on Saturday. Residents of Bloomington can attend the following events in February.

A free screening of “Bad Things Happen in Philadelphia” will be held by the Black Film Center and Archive to begin Black History Month on Monday at 6 p.m. in room 004 of the Herman B. Wells Library. Producer Mark Mims and director Kyra Knox will participate in a post-documentary conversation.

The Neal-Marshall Black Cultural Center will have a hip-hop house party at the NMBCC Grand Hall on Wednesday at 6 p.m., a few days later. With a DJ, MC, and dancers, the event post promises to be an immersive experience that showcases hip-hop aspects.

On February 11, students from the IU Voice Department will perform another cultural piece. This celebration of African American and African Diasporic song will begin at the Jacobs School of Music’s Auer Hall at 5 p.m.

Additionally, on February 12, the NMBCC will hold a Black Faculty and Staff Appreciation lunch in the NMBCC Grand Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be free food and presents available.

The NMBCC is organizing a Valentine’s Day culture crawl that highlights Black creativity in the visual and performing arts in collaboration with the Eskenazi School of Art Architecture and Design and the Eskenazi Museum of Art. On February 13, a guided tour will start at 4 p.m., and the event will conclude with a performance and reception at 6 p.m.

The African American Choral Ensemble will perform a public concert at the IU School of Education to cap off the month. The concert will be held at the School of Education on February 26 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Everyone is welcome to these free events, which don’t require an RSVP.
The IU Bloomington activities Calendar has further activities scheduled for the month of February.

On Saturday, the City of Bloomington had its own kick-off event for Black History Month at City Hall. According to a press release, the kickoff event’s topic was “African Americans and Labor: From Slave Ships to the White House.”

Additionally, a market for Black-owned companies, artists, and groups will be held at City Hall on February 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market will pay tribute to the original Black Market in Bloomington, which was destroyed by a firebomb in 1968.

The winners of the 2025 Black History Month essay competition will be announced and presented during an event on February 21 at 6 p.m., one week later. City Hall will be the venue for this.

Last but not least, the Monroe Convention Center will host a Black History Month Gala on March 1. The 2025 Living Legends and the Outstanding Black Leaders of Tomorrow award winners from the Commission on the Status of Black Males will be honored, and there will be food and dance.

On March 1, the program will start at 7 p.m., after a reception and silent auction at 6 p.m. The Buskirk-Chumley Theater will be selling $62 individual tickets on Saturday. They can also be bought online.

 

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