Your Library is honoring Black History Month this February! Join with us as we recognize the achievements and history of generations of African Americans, who have helped to shape our community, state, and country.

Why do we observe Black History Month?
Beginning in 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month, an annual celebration of the achievements and recognition of the struggles of African Americans. Black History Month grew out of Negro History week, the creation of Carter G. Woodson. Woodson was the second Black American to receive a PhD in history from Harvard, and he was determined to ensure that school children learn Black history.

Learn more about how Black History Month came about:

• Black History Month with the Library of Congress
• Black History Month 2025 Theme: Celebrating Black Labor
• Origins of Black History Month from history.com
• National Museum of African American History & Culture

 

Read!
If you’re in our branches, be sure to check out our special Black History Month displays. Online, you’ll find our recommended reading list for kids, Black authors and characters for teens, and recent non-fiction books for adults.

Listen!
Our digital partner Hoopla offers music, audiobooks, e-books and more, all celebrating Black heroes and the civil rights movement.

Watch!
Kanopy offers a wide range of films honoring Black History Month, free to stream with your Library card.

Celebrate!
Here are some other ways to celebrate Black History Month around Delaware County and Central Ohio!

Friday, January 31:

• Film Noir Double Feature (The Birth of a Nation / Harriet), St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Columbus, 6 pm
• The Art of C.A. Hartway: Artist Reception/Exhibit Opening, Kelton House, Columbus, 6 pm – 8:30 pm

 

Throughout February:

• CBUS Soul Sculpture Trail, Downtown Columbus
• Caribbean Transformers: Becoming and Being in the New World, Ross Art Museum, Delaware, during open hours
• Black Doll Community Showcase, Unity Community Center, Delaware, during open hours

 

Tuesday, February 4:

• The Lincoln School Story with Melvin Barnes of Ohio Humanities, Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, noon
• Meaningful Movies at the Strand: The Burial, Strand Theatre, Delaware, 7 pm

 

Friday, February 7: Film Noir Double Feature (The Emperor Jones / Voodoo Macbeth), St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Columbus, 6 pm

Tuesday, February 11:

• From the Heart, So Much to Discover: The Heritage of Ohio’s Black Voices, Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, noon
• Homeschool Book Club: Black History Month, Ostrander Library, 1 pm
• Meaningful Movies at the Strand: Loving, Strand Theatre, Delaware, 7 pm

 

Wednesday, February 12:

• Thrive Together Resource Fair, Harmony Project, Columbus, 11 am – 3 pm
• Meaningful Movies at the Strand: Sound of Hope: The Story of PossumTrot, Strand Theatre, Delaware, 6 pm
• Dear Queen: A Self-Love Painting Experience, Barnett – Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, Columbus, 6 – 8 pm

 

Friday, February 14: Film Noir Double Feature (BlackkKlansman / Judas and the Black Messiah), St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Columbus, 6 pm

Saturday, February 15:

• The Tea Room, Ohio History Center, Columbus, 11 am – 1:30 pm (ticketed)
• All Arts Day – A Celebration of Aminah Robinson, King Arts Complex, Columbus, noon – 4 pm
• Voices of Injustice presents The Lynched Among Us, Lincoln Theatre, Columbus, 7:30 pm (ticketed)

 

Sunday, February 16: Black History Month Concert Pop-Up featuring the Columbus Cultural Orchestra, Columbus Museum of Art, 2 pm

Tuesday, February 18:

• The History of the Columbus Call & Post, Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, noon
• Meaningful Movies at the Strand: 4 Little Girls, Strand Theatre, Delaware, 7 pm

 

Thursday, February 20: Orange Afternoon Book Club: The Townsend Family Recipe for Disaster by Shauna Robinson, Orange Library, 2 pm

Friday, February 21: Film Noir Double Feature (The Butler / Green Book), St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Columbus, 6 pm

Tuesday, February 25:

• Life and Legacy of Brigadier General Charles Young, Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, noon
• Delaware Afternoon Book Club: Vagabonds! by Eloghosa Osunde, Delaware Library, 1 pm
• Meaningful Movies at the Strand: My Name is Pauli Murray, Strand Theatre, Delaware, 7 pm

 

Wednesday, February 26: A World Reimagined: The Work of Abolition, McConnell Arts Center, Worthington, 7 pm

Friday, February 28: Film Noir Double Feature (Black Panther / Wakanda Forever), St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Columbus, 6 pm

And don’t forget, we offer Culture Passes for free admission to the Columbus Museum of Art!