Prospect Heights Celebrates Black History Month with Lectures, Films and More

Prospect Heights residents have their choice of events to celebrate Black History Month.

Brooklyn's  in Prospect Heights is offering the most events, with more than a dozen throughout February.

“The Brooklyn Public Library concentrates on programs that highlight the cultural, political, and personal impacts of Americans of African descent,” said Meredith Walters, director of adult programming at the Central Library.

"Many of our patrons are new Americans, so it's great to share the achievements of past Americans with people who are beginning their (own) journeys as Americans," she said.

The library will host three events on  W.E.B. Du Bois alone. Walters chose the civil rights activist, author and intellectual as this year's focus "because he is an American who made an impact in so many disciplines and on so many fronts, and his ideas still resonate in contemporary society."

Below is a guide to events celebrating Black History Month in our area, including events at the , the and beyond.  

 New York-based world music singer Kaïssa performs a “unique blend of African, reggae, jazz, R&B, makossa and Brazilian fusion,” according to the Brooklyn Public Library. Thursday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m. Dweck Center, . Free.

Target First Saturdays: Framing Our History The  celebrates the contributions of African Americans during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s with programs inspired by the exhibition "Lorna Simpson: Gathered." Highlights will include a performance by The Fat Cat Big Band, an interactive photo project, and a performance by The Small’s Jazz Club All-Stars. Saturday, Feb. 5, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. . Free.

 Dr. MaryNell Morgan-Brown discusses the importance of Du Bois' life and work, including his most popular book, The Souls of Black Folk (1903).  Audience participation is encouraged. Sunday, Feb. 6, 1:30 p.m. Dweck Center, . Free.

 A documentary screening about the refusal of African teams to compete in the Olympics with South Africa’s all-white teams. Fourth in the seven-part series, Have You Heard from Johannesburg? A discussion led by scholar Grace Davie will follow the film. Tuesday, Feb. 8, 6:30 p.m. Dweck Center, . Free.

A conversation with poet Ntozake Shange and writer Michaela Angela Davis about Shange’s past and current work. Thursday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m. . Tickets (which include museum admission) are $6 for members and $10 for non-members.

  Author Tanya Wright reads from her debut novel, Butterfly Rising. Thursday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m. Dweck Center, . Free.

Performances by an impressive list of local artists from across the diaspora “for a night as rich in talent as the borough is diverse," according to BAMCafe. Friday, Feb. 11 & Saturday, Feb. 12, 9 p.m. . Free.

For kids ages 6 and up, this workshop encourages you to design a craft about the King family as you see how Coretta Scott King carried on the legacy of her husband, Martin Luther King Jr. Saturday, Feb. 12, 1:30 p.m. Brooklyn Children's Museum. Admission $7.50 for non-members and free for members.

 Pulitzer Prize-winning scholar David Levering Lewis discusses the legacy of Du Bois in the era of America’s first African American president. Sunday, Feb. 13, 1:30 p.m. Dweck Center, . Free.

Documentary screening about African Americans’ push for economic sanctions against South Africa despite President Reagan’s opposition. Fifth in the seven-part series Have You Heard from Johannesburg? Tuesday, Feb. 15, 6:30 p.m. Dweck Center, . Free.

African American poetry reading with Mahogany Browne, Darian Dauchan and the Mighty Third Rail. The Nuyorican Poets Café presents poetry and performance every third Thursday of the month. Thursday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m. . Tickets (which include museum admission) are $10 for non-members and $6 for members.

Explore and discuss artwork by African American artists featured in the Museum of Modern Art. Fill out a survey after the lecture to receive a free family pass to the MoMA. Thursday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m. Dweck Center, . Free.

 Performance by Maritri Garrett and her power collective, The Soulfolk Experience, which promises a night of “deep-digging music done every way but wrong,” according to BAMCafe. Friday, Feb. 18, 9 p.m. . Free.

 Traditional African folktales are brought to life by master storyteller Caren Calder. Saturday, Feb. 19, 1 p.m. Dweck Center, . Free.

Wes Moore discusses his relationship with another Wes Moore. He explores the factors and choices that led two African American men of the same name down different paths. Saturday, Feb. 19, 4 p.m. Dweck Center, . Free.

  Documentary screening about the worldwide pressure employees and consumers place on corporate giants to divest from South Africa. Sixth in the seven-part series Have You Heard from Johannesburg? .Tuesday, Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m. Dweck Center, . Free.

NY1 News Anchor Cheryl Wills reads from her memoir about her search to learn more about her ancestors, including her great-great-grandfather, a runaway slave during the Civil War. Thursday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m.  Dweck Center, . Free.

 Soul singer Avery Sunshine will perform tracks from her self-titled debut album. Friday, Feb. 25, 9 p.m. . Free.

 A discussion with scholars Horace G. Campbel  and Carina Ray examining W.E.B. Du Bois’s efforts to realize African unity and the relevance of Pan-Africanism today. Sunday, Feb. 27, 1:30 p.m. Dweck Center, . Free.

Free at Last (South Africa in Focus) – A documentary screening about the apartheid regime’s final lifting of decades-long bans, and Nelson Mandela’s release from prison. Final installment of the seven-part series Have You Heard from Johannesburg? Tuesday, March 1, 6:30 p.m. Dweck Center, . Free.