CLEVELAND (Jan. 30, 2019) – During Black History Month 2019 and year-round, opportunities abound for residents to pay tribute to notable African-Americans from Cleveland who worked to create change and foster innovation. With a variety of events and celebrations on tap, locals can learn more about the contributions of the region’s prominent black figures and institutions and develop a greater understanding of their profound impact on the area and the country at large.
PROMINENT PEOPLE AND PLACES
Cleveland boasts a strong history of African-American influencers, including inventor Garrett Morgan, who created the first electric traffic light and the gas mask, Carl Stokes, who served as the first African-American mayor of a major city, and Larry Doby, who by signing with the Cleveland Indians became the first black player on an American League baseball team. Residents can learn more about these individuals and many others at the
Cleveland History Center, where they can also tour a
new exhibit that focuses on the life of one of Cleveland’s most significant community builders, Rev. Emmitt Theophilius Caviness.
Cleveland is also home to many venues and institutions that play a major role in black American culture.
Karamu House, the century-year-old theater company in Cleveland’s Fairfax neighborhood, holds the distinction of being the oldest African-American theater company in the nation with notable alums like Langston Hughes, Ruby Dee and Robert Guillame. Karamu House’s 2018-2019 mainstage series continues in the tradition of being a gathering place that honors the African-American experience through theater.
St. John’s Episcopal Church in the Ohio City neighborhood has been the site of pivotal events in African-American history. In the years following the church’s construction, the parish became a center in the fight against slavery with its role in the Underground Railroad. St. John’s became known to many as “Station Hope” as the bell tower served as a lookout for boats on Lake Erie taking runaway slaves to freedom.
Oberlin College played an important role in promoting racial equality and served as a center for abolitionist activities. Oberlin was the first college in America to grant a degree to an African-American woman, Mary Jane Patterson, in 1862, and it was a key stop along the Underground Railroad.
EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES
Cleveland History Center
- In addition to touring the Cleveland History Center’s exhibits, residents can attend the special event “Black History on Tap: Living Legends,” which will spotlight those individuals who pioneered in fine arts, music and theatre throughout Cleveland’s history.
- 10825 East Blvd., Cleveland
- Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon - 5 p.m.
- Event: Black History on Tap: Living Legends, Saturday, Feb. 16, 1 - 4p.m.
Karamu House
- At Karamu House’s special event, “The Impact of ‘Shuffle Along,” residents can learn about one of the most significant musicals of the 20th century, “Shuffle Along,” with a new multi-media concert. And as a part of its 2018-2019 season, Karamu House will produce a double feature of “27 Wagons Full of Cotton” and “This Property is Condemned,” both written by Tennessee Williams.
- 2355 E. 89th St., Cleveland
- “The Impact of ‘Shuffle Along,’” Thursday, Feb. 7, 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.,
Friday, Feb. 8 - Saturday, Feb. 9, 8 p.m.
- “27 Wagons Full of Cotton” and “This Property is Condemned” run from Feb. 14 - March 10
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
- The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will celebrate Black History Month with a series of special programming recognizing the contributions that African-Americans have made to rock and roll music. Residents can choose from events like a film screening of “Marley,” which focuses on Bob Marley’s impact on music history; an evening with writer, musician and critic Greg Tate and Grammy Award-winning producer Craig Street; and the opening of a new exhibit “King Records: Thirty Years That Changed American Music” with 1997 Hall of Fame Inductee Bootsy Collins.
- 1100 E. 9th St., Cleveland
- For a complete list of events, please visit www.rockhall.com
Cleveland Cavaliers
- The Cleveland Cavaliers will continue their Black Heritage Celebrations at various February home games. With the goal of “Empowering and Inspiring: One Generation to the Next,” the Cavs will hold Black Heritage Celebration nights against the Dallas Mavericks (Saturday, Feb. 2), New York Knicks (Monday, Feb. 11) and Memphis Grizzlies (Saturday, Feb. 23).
- 1 Center Court, Cleveland
International Women’s Air and Space Museum
- Residents can enjoy “Dinner with a Slice of History” at the International Women’s Air and Space Museum. The special event for Black History Month will feature Gigi Coleman, the great niece of aviation pioneer Bessie Coleman. Locals can listen to Gigi’s one-woman show based on the life of her great aunt who was the first African-American woman to obtain a pilot’s license.
- Burke Lakefront Airport, 1501 N. Marginal Road, Cleveland
- Friday, Feb. 15, 6:30 p.m.
Baseball Heritage Museum
- The Baseball Heritage Museum will host a special program, “Black Baseball Chronology,” that focuses on the involvement of African-Americans in American baseball. The presentation will also chronicle the history of African-American baseball in Cleveland from the early 1920s through 1950, as well as barrier-breaking players like Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby.
- 6601 Lexington Ave., Cleveland
- Hours: Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Event: Black Baseball Chronology, Saturday, Feb. 9, 1 - 2 p.m.
Music Box Supper Club
- Locals can learn about the 27th United States Colored Troops and the Civil War at Music Box Supper Club’s weekly Cleveland Stories Dinner Parties. On Wednesday, Feb. 6, history professor and author Kelly D. Mezurek will focus on the topic of “CLE & The Civil War: For Their Own Cause.” Admission to Cleveland Stories Dinner Parties is free, and residents can choose to buy the pre-fixe, three-course dinner option.
- 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland
- Wednesday, Feb. 6, doors open at 5 p.m., storytelling begins at 7 p.m.
Cleveland Public Library
- Throughout February the Cleveland Public Library branches will be hosting programs for Black History Month. The events include a visit with Anthony Ray Hinton, author of “The Sun Does Shine,” a screening of the movie “Uptight” and a panel discussion and other activities and celebrations.
- For Cleveland Public Library locations and event information, visit www.cpl.org
Cuyahoga County Public Library
- Various Cuyahoga County Public Library branches will be offering Black History Month-related programming throughout February. Residents can choose to attend an African-American authors book discussion, listen to gospel music and spirituals performed by the Ecumenical Disciples Choir or participate in “Black History READ-IN!” activities which celebrate African-American literature with books, games and activities.
- Please visit cuyahogalibrary.org for more information on events at different branches throughout the region
For more Black History Month events or to learn more about new attractions and activities or Destination Cleveland, please visit
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DON’T FORGET: Destination Cleveland’s Concierge Team is also available to help residents and their visiting family and friends explore the region. Contact our team through email at
cleconcierge@destinationcle.org, live chat at
thisiscleveland.com or stop in the Cleveland Visitors Center (334 Euclid Ave., Cleveland) Mon. – Sat., 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. to plan your adventure.
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ABOUT DESTINATION CLEVELAND: Destination Cleveland is Cleveland’s destination marketing and management organization. This private, non-profit organization’s mission is to drive economic impact and stimulate community vitality for Greater Cleveland through leisure and business travel. Cleveland welcomes 18.5 million visitors annually. For more information, visit www.thisiscleveland.com.