City of Cambridge Celebrates Black History Month With Music, Theater, Tributes and More

The City of Cambridge will host a series of events and feature a variety of stories throughout February in celebration of Black History Month. Throughout the month, programs led by the Public Library, Veterans Services, Office of Equity and Inclusion, and more will highlight Black theater, poetry, movies, musical traditions, and cuisine to celebrate Black heritage and culture.

Overview of events:

Among the Stars: Celebrating Dr. Mae Jemison
Saturday, February 1
11-11:45 a.m.
Cambridge Main Public Library, 449 Broadway

Join Tanya from Little Uprisings as we celebrate Black history in this interactive workshop exploring Dr. Jemison’s incredible journey as the first Black woman astronaut to go to space. A person that contained multitudes, Jemison is an inspiration who defied expectations and paved her own path to the stars. Workshop includes storytelling, a teach-in about Black identity and exploration and a craft-making activity to imagine how they can reach for the stars in their own lives. This program can accommodate 30 youth in grades K - 2 and their caregivers. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the program. The entire party must be present to receive a ticket. This program starts promptly. Unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information.

Saturday Songs & Stories Honoring Ella Jenkins
Saturday, February 1
3:30-4 p.m.
Cambridge Public Library - O’Neill Branch, 70 Rindge Avenue

Music, movement and stories! Join local storyteller and community member Ashley Herring as we honor the late Ella Jenkins, the "first lady of children's music!" For children of all ages and their grown-ups.

Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! - Black History Month Buttons
Wednesday, February 5
2:30 – 4 p.m.
Cambridge Public Library - O’Neill Branch, 70 Rindge Avenue

Come to the library and make buttons for Black History Month! Kids of all ages can hang out and participate. No registration is required.

Lunchtime History: Black Cantabridgians from the 1700s On
Thursday, February 6
12-1 p.m.
Cambridge Public Library – Central Square Branch, 45 Pearl Street

Join Cambridge Black History Project at the Central Square Branch Library for a lunch and learn event about trailblazing Black Cantabridgians from the 1700s through today.

Although erased from most of the standard histories, Black communities of many different roots have maintained a continuous presence in Cambridge for centuries, contributing to Cambridge culture morally, philosophically, politically, and financially.

Bring your own lunch and we’ll have cookies for everyone. 

Cambridge Cooks: The Life of a Plantain with Dietitian Nutritionist Christine
Thursday, February 6
6-7 p.m.
Cambridge Main Public Library, 449 Broadway

Join Christine, registered dietitian nutritionist on a global journey to highlight a delicious staple enjoyed by many around the world, the plantain! This delicious, tropical fruit is used to prepare a multitude of flavorful, mouthwatering dishes. Let’s talk about the plantain, it’s health benefits and how to incorporate the plantain into a balanced meal. We will taste test a few ways the plantain is enjoyed by many around the world. 

Barbara Ward Armstrong Sculpture Display
Friday, February 7
11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday, February 8
1-4:30 p.m.
Teen Room
Cambridge Main Public Library, 449 Broadway

Witness for yourself the beautiful fabric sculptures of Cambridge native Barbara Ward Armstrong. Barbara was an innovative artist whose life-sized African-inspired multi-textured fabric sculptures, called “soft sculptures,” redefined 20th century artforms. Four of her wonderful sculptures were recently donated to the Cambridge Public Library. These sculptures will be on display in the Main Library Teen Room on Friday, February 8th and Saturday, February 9th as part of the Library's activities for Black History Month. All ages welcomed.

Saturday Screening: Black Panther 2
Saturday, February 15, 1 – 3 p.m.
Lecture Hall
Cambridge Main Public Library, 449 Broadway

In honor of Black History Month, stop by for a free movie screening of the 2022 film Black Panther 2 directed by Ryan Coogler.  

Live at the Library: Ethiopian Dance Performance and Demonstration
Tuesday, February 18, 6-6:45 p.m.
Cambridge Public Library - O’Neill Branch, 70 Rindge Avenue

Youth from Cambridge's own Enku Dankira Ethiopian Dance group will perform and instruct audience members in cultural dance.

Funding for Vacation Week Programming: Live at the Library has been generously provided by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation. 

Movie Night: Hidden Figures
Tuesday, February 18, 5:30-7:40 p.m.
Cambridge Public Library - Valente Branch, 826 Cambridge Street

Join us for movie night at the Valente Branch! The movie Hidden Figures is based on the book by Margot Lee Shetterly that chronicles the lives of Black female mathematicians at NASA and their contributions to achievements in space. The film stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kirsten Dunst, and Kevin Costner.

We will provide popcorn & candy. Registration helpful.

The Secrets of Phillis Wheatley – Multimedia Theatrical Monologue
Wednesday, February 19
12-2 p.m.
Sullivan Chamber
Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue.

The Cambridge Department of Veterans Services, the City's Office of Equity & Inclusion, and the Mayor's Office cordially invite you to the event, the Secrets of Phillis Wheatley.

Phillis Wheatley Peters (c. 1753 – December 5, 1784) was an American author who is considered the first African-American author of a published book of poetry. Wheatley lived during two wars and had the rare experience of being a slave who was taught to read and write, and then became a published author. At this event, Lilly Darr will portray Wheatley in a multimedia theatrical monologue which will include some of Wheatley's poems.

Born in West Africa, she was kidnapped and subsequently sold into slavery at the age of seven or eight and transported to North America, where she was bought by the Wheatley family of Boston. After she learned to read and write, they encouraged her poetry when they saw her talent. As was the custom of the times, if slaves used a surname, it was the last name of their owners.

Central Square Book Group - Kindred by Octavia Butler
Wednesday, February 19
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Cambridge Public Library – Central Square Branch, 45 Pearl Street

Join the Central Square Book Group! This month, we're reading Kindred by Octavia Butler. Copies are available for pickup at the Branch.

Cambridge Cooks with Yego Coffee
Thursday, February 20
6-7 p.m.
Community Room
Cambridge Main Public Library, 449 Broadway

Yego Coffee is a family-owned company based in Somerville, Massachusetts by Fatuma and her husband Francois Tuyishime. Learn about the basics of coffee roasting with a presentation and demo.

Cambridge Cooks invites local chefs for a free cooking demonstration, followed by a Q&A with the chef.

Homecoming: Celebrating the Black Voices Collection
Thursday, February 20
7-8:30 p.m.
Cambridge Public Library – Central Square Branch, 45 Pearl Street

Join us in Central Square for an evening event hosted by the Central Square Library, “Homecoming: Celebrating Black Voices.” Hear from Omo Moses about the process of writing a family memoir and his experience living in Cambridge. Following the author presentation, attendees will be invited to share their experiences living in Cambridge and how they commemorate those experiences and their own family's legacy.

Central Square Cooks Book Group- Cooking from Jubilee by Toni Tipton-Martin
Thursday, February 27
6 – 7 p.m.
Cambridge Public Library – Central Square Branch, 45 Pearl Street

Join Central Square's new cookbook club. This month, we're cooking from Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking by Toni Tipton-Martin. Bring a dish to share or just come to talk about your experience with this cookbook. Copies are available for pickup at the Branch. 

Explore Cambridge African American History Trail
Looking to discover more inspiring and unique Black History Month stories? Explore the Cambridge African American History Trail. Visit https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/8bef5754e45d4d4199649f058574f6ca and learn more about twenty of Cambridge's most important Black leaders.

Learn More About Black History on Cambridge’s Social Media Accounts
Before founding the NAACP, did you know W.E.B. Du Bois had ties to Cambridge? He was Harvard’s first Black Ph.D.! The first Black fire chief, Patrick H. Raymond, was also from Cambridge. Find out more about Black history in Cambridge and honor it with us by following @CambridgeMass on Instagram, Facebook, and BlueSky.

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