Annapolis celebrate Black History Month with informative and inspiring programs, exhibits, and tours.
Anne Arundel County Public Libraries
Black History Month programs for kids and families at libraries in the Annapolis area.
Broadneck Library - Annapolis on the Broadneck Peninsula
- A Visit to Kofi's Village Feb 15, 6:30-7:30pm
Discoveries: The Library at the Mall - Annapolis in the Westfield Annapolis Mall
Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library - Annapolis near Quiet Waters Park
- The ABC's of Hip Hop with Baba Bomani Feb 17, 10:30-11:30am
- Black History's Groundbreaking Geniuses Feb 24, 10:30-11:30am
Baltimore Read Aloud Story Time
Thursday, February 15, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Banneker-Douglass Museum, Annapolis
Register: https://bit.ly/Feb2024StoryTime
Join us for a fun-filled morning where stories come to life! Baltimore Read Aloud and Banneker-Douglass Museum presents Day Out at the Museum, a monthly storytime series for ages 2 to 5. Let their imaginations run wild as we dive into enchanting tales. Expect a read aloud, interactive games, art activities, and light snacks. Pre-K classes and day care groups welcome!
String of Pearls the Musical
Sunday, February 18, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Maryland Hall, Annapolis
Tickets: https://bit.ly/StringofPearlsMusical
Maryland Hall, in association with Banneker-Douglass Museum, is proud to present the jazz musical String of Pearls. This captivating musical tells the love story of Nettie and Sam, sharecroppers, who dare to preserve their love in a daring and ingenious escape from the Chikoree Wood Cotton Plantation to Washington, D.C.’s Greater U Street neighborhood. The adventures, calamities, and flashes of joy and wonder they encounter are the thread that holds them together--The String of Pearls. A panel discussion with Annapolis cultural leaders, including Dr. Edwin T. Johnson will follow the show.
REVISIT/REIMAGINE Exhibition Opening Reception & the Banneker-Douglas Museum's 40th Anniversary
Saturday, February 24, 12:00PM - 4:00PM
Banneker-Douglass Museum, Annapolis
Register: https://bit.ly/RevisitReimagineOpening
Join us in celebrating BDM’s anniversary and the opening of the meditative exhibition REVISIT/REIMAGINE: The Civil Rights Era in Maryland and Parallels of Today. REVISIT/REIMAGINE is a multidisciplinary exhibition that remembers the legacies of civil rights leaders and their effect on Black Marylanders and the United States in totality. In collaboration with AFRO Archives, images of nationally and locally recognized civil rights leaders will be on display accompanied by the work of contemporary artists living and working in the Maryland area. Come and hear from featured artists in the exhibit during an artist talk led by the exhibit’s curator, Thomas James.
REVISIT/REIMAGINE: The Civil Rights Era in Maryland and Parallels of Today
On display February 24, 2024 - January 4, 2025
Banneker-Douglass Museum, Annapolis
A multidisciplinary exhibition that remembers the legacies of civil rights leaders and their effect on Black Marylanders and the United States in totality. In collaboration with AFRO Archives, images of nationally and locally recognized civil rights leaders will be on display accompanied by the work of contemporary artists living and working in the Maryland area. The gallery will be designed to emulate that of an interior home space with books, records, and other objects scattered throughout. This layout will serve as a visual representation of intergenerational relationships and how the issues of civil rights have transformed, progressed, and regressed throughout the 60 years between the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and our current existence today.
Deep Roots, Rising Waters: A Celebration of African Americans in Maryland
Permanent Exhibit
Banneker-Douglass Museum, Annapolis
This exhibition provides an overview of African American history in Maryland from 1633 through present day. Learn how African Americans throughout Maryland made lasting changes for all Americans.
Voices of the Enslaved, Part II
Friday, February 23, 1pm
Lecture will take place over Zoom. $12 per family, members free
Through 19th and early 20th century testimonies, memoirs, and interviews with those formerly enslaved, we can begin to learn about life under slavery. Each source of slave narratives has a history of its own to consider in interpreting these stories. This is a continuation of the effort to bring the voices of the enslaved and their stories of hardship and triumph to light. Presented by Barbara Goyette, Hammond-Harwood House Executive Director.
Sculpture at City Dock, Annapolis
African American History Tours of Annapolis
Youtube Video: OLT Annapolis - Annapolis 1864 (Video full of information about African American history in Annapolis)
- African American Heritage Tour Feb 17, 1-3pm
- Colonial Annapolis Walking Tour year round, see website for dates and times
Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County
Resource page with event listings, information, links, and resources to celebrate the Black History of Annapolis all year long.
Busch Annapolis Library, West St., Annapolis
4 part series -- Each Tuesday in February between 5:30-8pm
Free and open to the public
The Office of Mayor Gavin Buckley, in collaboration with the Michael E. Busch Public Library in Annapolis, will present a four-part Black History Month series aimed at honoring and exploring the rich cultural heritage of the African American community and experience in Annapolis. They include a variety of speakers and perspectives as well as refreshments and a complimentary gift bag, courtesy of Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area.
- Tuesday, February 6: Protecting and Promoting Black Culture and History, with a focus on African American Preservation and Tourism in Annapolis. At this panel discussion, featuring African American historians and local tourism industry experts, participants will delve into the significance of African American preservation and tourism in Annapolis.
- Tuesday, February 13: Black Art Matters in Annapolis, with a focus on African American artists and creators who will discuss the art community in Annapolis. Explore the vibrant Annapolis arts scene with local African American artists and creatives from various genres. This deep dive into the art community promises insights and discussions about the crucial role of black art in shaping the cultural landscape.
- Tuesday, February 20: The Future Black of Annapolis, where young Black Annapolitans discuss the future of Annapolis. A curated discussion by African American teens on the future of Annapolis through the unique lens of young Black voices. Gain valuable perspectives on the aspirations, challenges, and visions for the future of our City.
- February 27: Black Business Legacy. Conclude the series with a celebratory event honoring Black businesses that have served Annapolis for more than 50 years. Hosted by Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell-Charles, this event recognizes the lasting impact of black-owned businesses on families, communities, and the city-at-large.
For information on these events, please contact Adetola Ajayi at 410-972-6257 or aoajayi@annapolis.gov.
The Banneker-Douglass Museum and Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture are proud to announce a series of dynamic programs and exhibitions in celebration of Black History Month, Maryland’s Year of Civil Rights, and the Banneker-Douglass Museum's 40th anniversary.
About Banneker-Douglass Museum
The Banneker-Douglass Museum is the State of Maryland’s official museum of African American heritage and culture. It is operated by the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture. It serves to document, interpret, and promote African American history and culture through exhibitions, programs, and projects in order to improve the understanding and appreciation of America’s rich cultural diversity for all. The museum is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. To learn more, visit http://bdmuseum.maryland.gov. Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture
The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture is committed to discovering, documenting, preserving, collecting, and promoting Maryland’s African American heritage. The Commission also provides technical assistance to institutions and groups with similar objectives. Through the accomplishment of this mission, the MCAAHC seeks to educate Maryland citizens and visitors to our state about the significance of the African American experience in Maryland. To learn more, visit https://africanamerican.maryland.gov. Follow us on social media: Facebook and LinkedIn.
