14 ways to celebrate Black History Month in Louisville before February ends – The Courier-Journal

February is Black History Month, the annual observance to remember important people and events in the history of the African diaspora.
There are numerous events and ways to celebrate the history and culture of Black Americans in Louisville this year. Here is a list of events taking place across the city through the remainder of the month.
WHAT: Explore Black History with a family storytime featuring Black authors and illustrators. For ages 0-8.
WHERE: Louisville Free Public Library, Newburg Branch, 4800 Exeter Ave.
WHEN: Feb. 18, 10:30 a.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Free. lfpl.org.
WHAT: A presentation and discussion on historical, innovative, and/or cultural contributions made by African Americans. Topic: Parkland Community Pathfinders.
WHERE: Louisville Free Public Library, Parkland Branch, 2743 Virginia Ave.
WHEN: Feb. 18, 6 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Free. lfpl.org.
WHAT: Honor Black history and heritage through the lens of soapmaking traditions and ingredients. Join Collider Artist-in-Residence Andrea Moran for this workshop that explores the African origins of soapmaking, highlighting ingredients like shea butter, black soap, and palm oil and how they’ve shaped U.S. skincare practices. Participants will also learn about Louisville’s Black-owned producers of honey, bourbon, botanicals, and butters, and how these local treasures can be infused into artisan soaps. Each participant will take home a sample soap infused with ingredients sourced from Black-owned businesses.
WHERE: Louisville Free Public Library, South Central Regional Branch, 7300 Jefferson Blvd.
WHEN: Feb. 19, 4 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Space is limited. To sign up, email Liz Magee, Liz.Magee@lfpl.org. lfpl.org.
WHAT: Carmichael’s is hosting a Black History Month celebration with Emma McElvaney Talbott, Michael L. Jones, and Ken Clay. They will discuss the following books, “The Soulful Sounds of Derby Town,” “Two Centuries of Black Louisville” and “Not Far From Freedom.”
WHERE: Carmichael’s Bookstore, 2720 Frankfort Ave.
WHEN: Feb. 19, 6:30 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Free. carmichaelsbookstore.com.
WHAT: An evening of sound sampling, playlist mixing, and even designing your own album cover. Musician spotlights and related materials (books, CDs) will be available to check out.
WHERE: Louisville Free Public Library, Parkland Branch, 2743 Virginia Ave.
WHEN: Feb. 19, 5:30 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: lfpl.org.
WHAT: Make art inspired by an African American artist.
WHERE: Louisville Free Public Library, Iroquois Branch, 601 W. Woodlawn Ave.
WHEN: Feb. 19, 6:30 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: lfpl.org.
WHAT: University of Louisville Department of Theatre’s African American Theatre Program show follows an inner-city public school teacher, Nya, who sends her son, Omari, to a private boarding school to give him a better future, but must confront the “school-to-prison pipeline” when he faces expulsion after a controversial incident.
WHERE: The Thrust Theatre, 2314 S. Floyd St.
WHEN: Feb. 20-21, 27-28, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 22 and March 1, 2 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: $20 general admission; $15 seniors, UofL faculty and staff, $10 students. 502-852-6814; onthestage.tickets/university-of-louisville.
WHAT: After centuries of pseudoscience, researchers examine the causes of racial health disparities. Presented in partnership with University of Louisville Health Sciences Center Office of Equity and Engagement. Not Rated.
WHERE: Louisville Free Public Library, Parkland Branch, 2743 Virginia Ave.
WHEN: Feb. 21, 1 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: A panel discussion will follow. Registration is requested. Free. lfpl.org.
WHAT: “Hidden Figures” follows three female African-American mathematicians, Katherine Goble Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe), who worked at NASA during the Space Race in the 1950s and 1960s. Snacks and drinks provided.
WHERE: Louisville Free Public Library, Middletown Branch, 12556 Shelbyville Road
WHEN: Feb. 21, 1 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: A discussion will follow. Registration is requested. Free. lfpl.org.
WHAT: “Stuntboy, In the Meantime” follows the middle school student Portico Reeves, whose superpower is making sure his parents and best friend, Zola, stays safe. Based on Jason Reynolds and Raúl the Third’s award-winning graphic novel of the same name.
WHERE: Bomhard Theater, Kentucky Center, 501 W. Main St.
WHEN: Feb. 21, 11 a.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Tickets start at $35.10. kentuckyperformingarts.org.
WHAT: Urban Bush Women is a Brooklyn-based performance ensemble and dance company that bring the untold and under-told histories and stories to light through dance.
WHERE: Bomhard Theater, Kentucky Center, 501 W. Main St.
WHEN: Feb. 27, 8 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Tickets start at $44.15. kentuckyperformingarts.org.
WHAT: The film takes a look at the life and legacy of Richard Wayne Penniman, better known as, Little Richard. With his signature flamboyance and positive attitude, Little Richard rose to fame in the mid-1950s when he innovated a new musical genre that combined rock and roll sounds with soul and funk rhythms. Presented in partnership with University of Louisville Health Sciences Center Office of Equity and Engagement. Not Rated.
WHERE: Louisville Free Public Library, Parkland Branch, 2743 Virginia Ave.
WHEN: Feb. 28, 1 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: A panel discussion will follow. Registration is requested. Free. lfpl.org.
WHAT: Spotlighting graphic novels, artwork, and activities featuring some of the media’s most popular and not-so-popular Black superheroes. Come dressed as your favorite superhero.
WHERE: Louisville Free Public Library, Shawnee Branch, 3912 W. Broadway
WHEN: Feb. 28, 1 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Free. lfpl.org.
WHAT: A look at the book by historian Martha S. Jones, where she investigates her family’s past, journeying across centuries and dealing with fundamental matters of identity and belonging. Also, a discussion of other Black and biracial Americans in politics, popular culture, and academia.
WHERE: Louisville Free Public Library, Highlands-Shelby Park, 1250 Bardstown Road
WHEN: Feb. 28, 2 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION: Free. lfpl.org.
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