Cleveland (Feb. 1, 2024) – With Black History Month underway, it’s the perfect chance for Clevelanders to celebrate the achievements and art of the Black community. From special events throughout the month to year-round opportunities, locals and their visitors can expand their knowledge in a variety of ways.
“The Breakfast at the Bookstore” at Karamu House (Feb. 1-18): Residents can experience the history of Karamu House, the oldest, producing African American theater in the country, as it continues its 2023-2024 season with the production of “The Breakfast at the Bookstore.” The story follows Dot, an aspiring activist who dreams of opening a bookstore to revolutionize the way people think.
Chamber Music in the Galleries: Linking Legacies (Feb. 7): The Cleveland Museum of Art will host Linking Legacies, an ensemble made up of multiple generations of classically trained musicians who will perform works by Black composers with deep ties to Northeast Ohio. The museum is also offering Black History Month Tours every Saturday in the month of February.
History on the Tap – Celebrating Black Culture Through Music (Feb. 15): An event for the whole family, the Cleveland History Center is showcasing the rhythms and beats that have shaped the history of Cleveland’s music scene through February’s History on Tap event. Each ticket includes admission to the event, full museum access, carousel rides and live DJ entertainment.
The Madison: Melanin Market (Feb. 19): Celebrate and support Black-owned businesses, artists and creatives in vibrant Midtown Cleveland at Melanin Market, hosted at The Madison event venue. The event will showcase local vendors selling jewelry, arts, fashion, food and drink.
Panels, discussions & programs: A variety of panels, discussions and youth programs are hosted by various community groups across the Cleveland area throughout the month. Options include Shaping Shaker’s Future: African Americans and the Arts at Shaker Heights Public Library, I Am Black History: Youth Program, a program designed to support young individuals who want to learn, connect and embrace their cultural heritage and two events at Westlake Porter Public Library that encourage students to explore the works of different African American artists and create their own masterpiece.
Chocolate City Cleveland: This dynamic project pays tribute to the people and places that contributed to the culture and community of Cleveland’s predominantly Black neighborhoods. Chocolate City Cleveland seeks to balance research with the lived experiences of the residents in the neighborhood and highlights some of the people, places and cultural artifacts that make East 105th Street an important part of Black history in Cleveland. An interactive map, timeline and song playlists help residents explore the community’s history and landmarks.
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ABOUT DESTINATION CLEVELAND: Destination Cleveland is Cleveland’s destination marketing and management organization. The private, non-profit organization’s mission is to stimulate economic growth by attracting people and connecting them to experiences that illustrate Cleveland’s diversity, creativity and contagious passion. In 2022, visitation increased 12% over the year prior to 17.9 million visits. For more information, visit www.thisiscleveland.com.