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Black History Month is observed every February, a time for “people of all ethnic and social backgrounds discuss the black experience,” according to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.
Here are events coming up around Anchorage and online over the next several days. For an overview of what’s in store for the month, check out the NAACP Anchorage Branch Facebook page.
Virtual Lunch and Learn with the Library: Black lives in Alaska — Discover stories of Black Alaskans, both untold and well known, with a lunch hour program. Add to your reading list as experts from the Anchorage Public Library share local resources. Join live to participate in a Q&A, or access the recording after the event. This event is free but registration is required. Noon on Thursday, Feb. 3. (see anchoragemuseum.org for registration and details.)
UAA Chancellor’s MLK Student Appreciation Celebration (virtual) — UAA will honor students who are making positive contributions to their community and celebrate the ideals of Dr. King. Featuring remarks from the UAA chancellor, USUAA president, the fall undergraduate commencement speaker and keynote speaker Dr. Frank Leon Roberts. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4. Visit on.adn.com/34xqqUA for more details and to view the celebration online.
Colorism panel and discussion — Join a conversation with the UAA Black Student Union, UAA Multicultural Center and Alaska NAACP about colorism in the Black community. 12-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5 in the Anchorage Museum Theatre. (See UAA Black Student Union’s Facebook page for details.)
Alaska Black Business Expo — Visit the Anchorage Museum for free all day Saturday and check out the Alaska Black Business Expo in the atrium. The expo will feature vendors, kids activities and breakout sessions for those who’d like to learn about growing their own business. There will be community resources and information to support the growth of more black-owned businesses in Alaska. 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5. (anchoragemuseum.org)
Free museum day — Sponsored by the Alaska Black Chamber of Commerce, the museum’s first free admission day of the year also gives museumgoers the chance to see the exhibition “Black Lives in Alaska: Journey, Justice, Joy” before it closes in mid-February. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5. (anchoragemuseum.org)
“The Why and How the Alaska NAACP Was Formed: The Alvin Campbell and Richard Watts Story” — This musical and drama will be performed by Corinthia Rabb, Cal Williams and Daryl Hawk at the Anchorage Museum Theatre. 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5. (Museum admission is free.; see the Facebook page of the NAACP Anchorage Branch for details)
Alaska Black Caucus Youth Talent Extravaganza (virtual) — Youths ages 5-16 are invited to share their talents in this virtual event series hosted by the ABC Education Committee. Starting at 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5. Register here. (See the Alaska Black Caucus Facebook page or contact thealaskablackcaucus@gmail.com for more details.)
2022 COVID Conversations (virtual) — Each Saturday during Black History Month there will be a session about the COVID-19 pandemic. 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, via Zoom. (Visit the Facebook page for NAACP Anchorage Branch for information on how to login in and other details.)
Celebrating Black joy with community conversations — The Homer Organization for More Equitable Relations will be hosting a virtual session on the origin story “Born on the Water.” 4-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6. See homerorg4equity.com for login and details.
Panel discussion: “On These Grounds” (virtual) — Join the Alaska Black Caucus for a conversation with the filmmakers behind “On These Grounds,” a documentary about the issue of police in schools. This session is via Zoom; register at bit.ly/3AiLxVf. 7-8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6. (See Facebook for details.)
Film screening: “On These Grounds” — This documentary addresses the issues of police in schools in the context of an incident in a South Carolina high school. That case received national attention when a video of a police officer pulling a Black teenager from her desk and throwing her across the floor went viral. Free admission, first come first served (two tickets max per person). Tickets only available in person at the Bear Tooth box-office. 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7. (beartooththeatre.net)
Mayor’s Roundtable — Join Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson for a roundtable discussion on topics including entrepreneurship, mentorship and how to improve quality of life in Anchorage. Featuring Renee Wardlaw (Bristol Bay Native Corporation), J. Harris (Lighthouse Christian Fellowship), Missy Simms (Sweet Creations Lollipop Boutique), Shawn Idom (Hair Science Barbershop/Barber School and Side Hustlers Academy) and Lechaun Baker (Legacy Builders Painters Academy). 12-1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8. (632 W. Sixth Avenue, Eighth Floor; muni.org)