Celebrating Black History Month

Blog contributions from Laura Miller, DEI Manager at Twin Cities Habitat

Black History Month is more than a time to reflect—it’s an opportunity to celebrate the resilience, achievements, and cultural contributions of Black communities throughout history and today. It’s a time to recognize the voices shaping the present moment, and illuminate the path for future generations to continue making an impact.

As we come together this February, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity invites you to engage in meaningful conversations, honor the stories of Black leaders past and present, and explore ways to support and amplify Black excellence. Whether through education, community events, personal reflection, or acts of solidarity, celebrating Black History Month is a commitment to acknowledging history while actively shaping a more inclusive and equitable future.

Let’s celebrate, learn, and take action—together.

Black History Month Events in The Twin Cities

There are many incredible Black History Month events and activities happening throughout the Twin Cities! Head to the Weisman Art Museum and explore the history of a Black-owned newspaper from St. Paul’s Rondo neighborhood in the 1800s. Or visit the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum & Gallery and the Minneapolis Institute of Art for unique Black History Month exhibits.

Head to The Conn Theater for a thought-provoking performance about the remarkable life of Toni Stone, the first woman to play in the Negro Baseball League. Or dance the night away to music from legendary Black artists across various genres, from classic soul to contemporary hits, at Loring Park in Minneapolis.

Movie nights are a family friendly option that shine a light on many unsung Black activists and heroes. Families, teens, and kids can also get involved with interactive art classes, trivia nights, and other community events designed to educate, inspire, and entertain. No matter your interests, there’s something for everyone this Black History Month.

Check out the full list of events here: Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder’s Black History Month Events and Family Fun Twin Cities’ event roundup. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to honor history and celebrate the future.

Personal Ways to Celebrate Black History Month

If you want to dive into Black History Month on your own time, there are several ideas to get you started:

Read books or stories written by Black authors. Recommendations from Twin Cities Habitat staff include:

• The Parable of the Sower, Octavia Butler
• All About Love: New Visions, bell hooks
• Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center, bell hooks
• The Stars and the Blackness Between Them, Junauda Petrus
• Rest Is Resistance, Tricia Hersey 
• The Other Wes Moore, Wes Moore

Support a Black-owned business. The Twin Cities Metro area has an abundance of Black-owned businesses you can support this month and year-round! From restaurants, cafes, bookstores, and breweries, to theaters, clothing stores, salons, fitness centers, and boutiques – everyone can find a Black business to support. Browse the full list at Minnesota Black-owned Business Directory.

Learn about Black leaders.  The list is endless, but here's a place to start:

• James Baldwin, Writer and Activist
• Shirley Chisholm, Educator and Politician
• Paul R. Williams, Architect
• Angela Davis, Author, Feminist, Political Activist
• Marsha P. Johnson, Community Activist
• Huey Newton, Political Activist
• Kimberly Crenshaw, Professor

Watch films and documentaries by about the Black experience. Recommendations include: 

• Hidden Figures
• The Banker
• Moonlight
• American Fiction
• Do the Right Thing
• Selma
• Rustin
• The Color Purple
• Fruitvale Station

Watch films and documentaries by Black filmmakers, such as:

• Oscar Micheaux
• Nia DaCosta
• John Singleton
• Chinonye Chukwu
• Spike Lee
• Ava DuVernay
• Jordan Peele

Commit to beyond February. Black history is American history, and the future of the Black community is the future of the America. Set an intention to continue learning about and Black history and supporting the Black community throughout the year. 

Black History and Futures Month at Twin Cities Habitat

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s BIPOC Employee Resource Group (ERG), in partnership with Learning & Development, is presenting a special series of events in honor of Black History and Black Futures Month. Rooted in healing, storytelling, and community, our events invite staff to participate, learn, and grow. We’re also creating space to reflect on the journey of our Black leaders and express gratitude by giving them their well-deserved flowers.

Healing in Community as Restorative Justice
Monday, Feb. 3
Learning & Development Manager Laura Miller led participants through a guided meditation and intention-setting for the month.

Healing Pain, Harnessing Power: A Black History Month Event 
Wednesday, Feb. 12

Twin Cities Habitat partners with Donte Curtis of Catch Your Dream Consulting to present, Healing Pain, Harnessing Power: A Black History Month Event. This virtual session celebrates healing and resiliency.

Movie Screening: The Banker
Thursday, Feb. 13

Staff are invited to watch The Banker, inspired by true events. The movie follows two African-American entrepreneurs in the 1960s that hire a working-class white man to pretend to be the head of their real estate investment empire while they pose as a janitor and chauffeur. They work to provide equal access to homeownership and small business opportunities for Black Americans.

Black History Jeopardy & Lunch
Tuesday, Feb. 18

We’ll host a fun Black History Jeopardy and lunch to continue the celebration of Black History and Black Futures Month.

Liberation in Black Towns with Lee H. Jordan
Thursday, Feb. 20

We’ll engage in a learning discussion with local historian Lee H. Jordan of Juneteenth Speaks to explore the power of liberation in Black communities.

Empowered Collective
Wednesday, Feb. 26

Staff will engage in conversation with Black leaders here at Twin Cities Habitat. They’ll hear about their stories and the why behind what they do, what it means to serve with community, and what an empowered collective means to them.