CLEVELAND — Black History Month is officially here, and Northeast Ohio has many ways to celebrate throughout the month of February. 

Throughout the weeks ahead, many organizations in Northeast Ohio will celebrate and honor the contributions and impacts Black people have made in America. 

3News has compiled a list of ways to celebrate Black History Month, which you can see below. As more events are announced, 3News will update this list. 

Want your event added to this list? Email details to jmcmullen@wkyc.com

Cleveland Museum of Art: Black Art History Tour

CMA says: Celebrate Black History Month with guided tours highlighting African American artists in the museum’s collection. The museum celebrates Black History Month in February and all year round. Learn about African American artists in the museum’s collection in daily guided tours and Art and Conversation tours. 

To schedule private tours for adult groups of 10 or more, please contact grouptours@clevelandart.org or call 216-707-2752. 

Celebrate and Create: Black History Month

• Wednesday, Feb. 4; 2–4 p.m.
• Cleveland Public Library – South Branch Main Meeting Room
• Free
• Audience: ages 0–18

CPL says: Celebrate Black History Month with a hands-on craft! Kids will learn about inspiring Black leaders, artists, and changemakers while creating something special to honor their legacy.

Black History Month Collaborative Poster

• Thursday, Feb. 5
• Cleveland Public Library – Mount Pleasant Branch Meeting Room
• Free
• Audience: ages 0–18

CPL says: February is Black History Month. Come in and add your own special touch to our collaborative poster that we will display.

Black History Button Making

• Friday, Feb. 6, 22; 3:30–4:30 p.m.
• Cleveland Public Library – Harvard-Lee Branch Meeting Room
• Free
• Audience: All ages

CPL says: Join us to use the button maker and create Black History Month-themed pinback buttons.

Cleveland Charge Black Heritage Celebration

• Friday, Feb. 6; 7 p.m.
• Public Auditorium
  • Cleveland Charge vs. Greensboro Swarm

Influential Black Americans in Cleveland

• Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2:30–3 p.m.
• Cleveland Public Library – Mt. Pleasant Branch Meeting Room
• Free
• Audience: All ages

CPL says: For all ages, book discussion about Carl B. Stokes, the first Black mayor of a major city; his brother Louis Stokes, first Black congressman from Ohio; Jesse Owens, Toni Morrison, Garrett Morgan, and many others.

Unsung Heroes in Black History

• Wednesday, Feb. 11; 4–4:30 p.m.
• Cleveland Public Library – Garden Valley Branch Meeting Room
• Free
• Audience: ages 6–18

CPL says: Discover the untold stories of unsung heroes who changed history in extraordinary ways.

• Wednesday, Feb. 11; 4–5:30 p.m.
• Cleveland Public Library – Hough Branch Community Space 2A
• Free
• Audience: ages 0–11

• Friday, Feb. 13; 11–1 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 24; 11–1 p.m.
• Cleveland Museum of Art – Ames Family Atrium
• Free, no ticket required

CMA says: Explore a selection of authentic works of art from the CMA’s Education Art Collection with museum educators.

Douglass Day Black History Transcribe-a-thon

• Saturday, Feb. 14; 12–3 p.m.
• Loganberry Books
• Free

Loganberry Books says: Bring your laptop and learn how to transcribe primary sources to help expand access to Black History for all

The national annual Frederick Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon harnesses volunteer hours to make primary documents from Black American History more accessible to people around the world.

Loganberry will be broadcasting the YouTube transcription tutorial so you can bring your laptop or tablet and join community members in real time to preserve and share Black History. Come when you can, leave when you must.

Black History Month Film Series

• Tuesday, Feb. 17; 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 24; 4 p.m.
• Cleveland Public Library – Memorial Nottingham Branch Meeting Room
• Free
• Audience: ages 12–18

Feb. 17: Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History – Comic Kevin Hart celebrates the fascinating contributions of black history’s unsung heroes in this entertaining and educational comedy special.

Feb. 24: Innovators of Black History Vol. 1 – This documentary covers the legacy, inventions, and stories of Black innovators like Benjamin Banneker, George Washington Carver, and Lewis Latimer.

Light refreshments will be served.

Black History Trivia Game

• Wednesday, Feb. 18; 4–4:30 p.m.
• Cleveland Public Library – Garden Valley Branch Meeting Room
• Free
• Audience: ages 0–18

Cleveland Cavaliers 21st Annual Black Heritage Celebration

• Thursday Feb. 19; 7 p.m. 
  • The Cleveland Cavaliers will host their Black Heritage Celebration during their game against the Brooklyn Nets.

Maker Monday Large Format Printer: Black History Month Art Prints

• Monday, Feb. 23; 11–12:30 p.m.
• Cleveland Public Library – Main Library Downtown Branch 
  • LSW 00 – Lower Level – TechCentral Department – MakerSpace
• Free – Registration required (10 seats available) | register here
• Audience: Adults, seniors

CPL says: Learn the basics of the Roland Large Format Printer to print an 11 x 14 inch Black History Month poster. Registration required due to limited supplies. 

Black History Month Open Mic

• Wednesday, Feb. 18, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
• Lorain Public Library – South Lorain Branch Meeting Room
• Audience: Adults

LPL says: Join us in celebrating Black History Month as we spotlight and appreciate Black writers and poets in our community and across the country. Share your favorites or your own work! 

2026 Black History Trivia

• Thursday, Feb. 5; 6 p.m.
• Foundry Kitchen and Bar, Elyria
• $10 for audience admission | $55 for a team of four
• Registration required | register here

African American Community Fund says: Think you know your Black History? Put your knowledge to the test at the African American Community Fund’s Black History Trivia Night on Thursday, February 5th, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Register your team of 4 and compete in a fun, interactive evening filled with trivia, learning, and celebration. Gather your crew and get ready for an unforgettable night of friendly competition! Sign up now to secure your spot!

Black History Scavenger Hunt

• Feb. 1–28
• Stark Library – North Branch
• Free

Stark Library says: Learn history & celebrate the achievements of Black inventors and their creations through an all-ages scavenger hunt! What would life be like without traffic lights, blood banks, & central heating?

The Tuskegee Airmen – Presented by the MAPS Air Museum

• Tuesday, Feb. 3; 4–5 p.m.
• Stark Library – East Canton Branch
• Free
• Audience: Adults, older adults 
• Registration required | register here

Stark Library says: An expert from the MAPS Air Museum will highlight the dedication and bravery of a group of aviators that come to be known as the Tuskegee Airmen (332nd Fighter Group).

Zine Workshop | History of the Little Magazine of the Harlem Renaissance

• Saturday, Feb. 7; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Stark Library – Main Branch Buckeye room
• Free
• Audience: Teens, tweens, adults and older adults
• Registration required | register here

Stark Library says: Learn the importance behind counter culture and underground press & flex your creative muscles by making your own zine. We’ll focus on the lesser known Little Magazines of the Harlem Renaissance. Join us for a zine revival! While you’re here, ask about our zine display, take some zines with you, and submit your own work for distribution.

African American Sports Pioneers

• Monday, Feb. 9; 6–7 p.m.
• Stark Library – Southgate Branch Meeting Room
• Free
• Audience: Adults, older adults
• Registration required | register here

Stark Library says: Join us as Leslie Heaphy highlights the achievements of African American sporting pioneers and their contributions to boxing, baseball, football and many other sports.

When Harriet Tubman Met John Brown

• Tuesday, Feb. 10; 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
• Stark Library – Main Branch Buckeye room
• Free
• Audience: Adults, older adults
• Registration required | register here

Stark Library: In this re-enactment presentation from the John Brown House, learn about how Harriet Tubman met abolitionist John Brown and how their work together made a major impact on American history.

The Tuskegee Airmen – Presented by the MAPS Air Museum

• Thursday, Feb. 12; 2–3 p.m.
• Stark Library – North Branch Lower Level Meeting Room
• Free
• Audience: Adults, older adults 
• Registration required | register here

Stark Library says: An expert from the MAPS Air Museum will highlight the dedication and bravery of a group of aviators that come to be known as the Tuskegee Airmen (332nd Fighter Group).

A Legacy Revived | Exploring Stark County’s Rich Black History

• Thursday, Feb. 12; 6–7 p.m.
• Stark Library – Main Branch Buckeye room
• Free
• Audience: Adults, older adults
• Registration required | register here

Stark Library says: Discover the rich history of Stark County’s Black community and learn about the creation of the Stark County Black History Museum, dedicated to preserving and honoring that legacy.

Presented by Dr. Tameka Ellington, Curator of Black History, Stark County Black History Museum

Voice from the Park: A Black Ranger’s Story

• Tuesday, Feb. 17; 6–7 p.m.
• Stark Library – DeHoff Memorial Branch Main Meeting Room
• Free
• Audience: Adults, older adults
• Registration required | register here

Stark Library says: Through storytelling, history, and lived moments, a former National Park Ranger will highlight her experiences, challenges, and achievements of working within the National Park Service. Hear about her personal experiences, African American trailblazers in the profession, and what a career in park services can look like.

Exploring the Underground Railroad

• Tuesday, Feb. 17; 6–7 p.m.
• Stark Library – Lake Community Branch Meeting Room
• Free
• Audience: Teens, adults, older adults
• Registration required | register here

Stark Library: Celebrate Black History Month and join local historians, Frank and Michal Barrett of the Alliance Area Preservation Society for an evening of education about local Quakers and the Underground Railroad.

Movies @ Main: “John Lewis: Good Trouble”

• Thursday, Feb. 19, 5 p.m.
• Stark Library – Main Branch
• Registration required | register here

The Tuskegee Airmen – Presented by the MAPS Air Museum

• Thursday, Feb. 19; 6–7 p.m.
• Stark Library – Perry Sippo Branch
• Free
• Audience: Adults, older adults 
• Registration required | register here

• Saturday, Feb. 21; 2–4 p.m.
• Stark Library – Madge Youtz Branch Meeting Room
• Free
• Audience: Adults, older adults
• Registration is full | join the waitlist

Stark Library says: Design your own symbolic quilt square and explore the hidden messages behind freedom quilts. Celebrate Black History Month through art, heritage, and storytelling. No sewing required!

Exploring Magnificent Minds: African American Innovators

• Saturday, Feb. 28; 2:30–3:30 p.m.
• Stark Library – Lake Community Branch Meeting Room
• Free
• Audience: Elementary (K-5)
• Registration required | register here

Stark Library says: Learn about several African American innovators and their magnificent creations we still use today. Then, create an invention of your own!

Black History Month STEM Activities

• Saturday, Feb. 28; 3–4:30 p.m.
• Stark Library – North Branch Lower Level Meeting Room
• Free
• Audience: Elementary, teens, tweens
• Registration required | register here

Stark Library says: Celebrate Black History Month with hands-on STEM activities!  Explore inventions, innovators, and experiments that honor Black scientists, engineers, and trailblazers.

Celebrating Black History in Perkins Woods

• Jan. 19–March 3
• Akron Zoo
• Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and by appointment during the week
  • Group tours and after-hours tours available by appointment
• Included with zoo admission
• More information

Akron Zoo says: Visit our temporary exhibit to explore little known Black history that took place on the zoo’s property. With beautiful photographs, artifacts, and interactives, you will walk through the twists and turns of the 20th century, when building a monument, fighting to save a zoo, and serving up custard were ways for Black citizens to make meaning of their experience and leave a lasting legacy for the city.

Black History Month Art Series: “Trash to Art”- Upcycled collages inspired by Tyree Guton 

• Monday, Feb. 2; 6–7 p.m.
• Akron-Summit County Public Library – Highland Square Branch Community Room
• Free
• Audience: School age K-5
• Registration required | register here

ASCPL says: Celebrate Black History Month by learning about and replicating the art style of famous Black artists, led by local Black artists, P31 Art & Design! This program is intended for school-age children.

Zoom: African American Arts: A Tapestry of Culture 

• Thursday, Feb. 5; 6–7 p.m.
• Akron-Summit County Public Library – Zoom
• Free
• Audience: Adults
• Registration required | register here

ASCPL says: A four-week virtual series celebrating the cultural influence of African American artists. Each week highlights their unique styles and lasting impact on the art world.

Local artist Stephanie Stewart, an Akron native, creates vibrant acrylic paintings that celebrate the beauty, strength, and complexity of Black identity. Drawing from her own life—both trials and triumphs—she produces uplifting works that reflect resilience, self-love, and hope. Through her art, she inspires viewers to see power in their own stories.

Black History Month Legacy Bus Tour

• Presented by Akron Rites of Passage Institute
• Friday, Feb. 6; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Ed Davis Community Center
• Free
• Registration required | register here

Akron Rites of Passage Institute says: Hop on for a fun and inspiring in-person tour celebrating Black History Month. Explore iconic sites, hear stories of legends, and connect with the community. It’s a great way to learn, reflect, and honor the rich legacy of Black culture and achievements. Don’t miss out on this meaningful journey!

School Age Digital Art: Black History Month

• Friday, Feb. 6; 2–3 p.m.
• Akron-Summit County Public Library – Main Branch Children’s Library Programming Room
• Free
• Audience: School age K-5
• Registration required | register here

ASCPL says: Join Imani Scruggs, 4-H educator, for a hands-on digital art workshop. Create your own art following a Black History Month theme.

Black History Month Art Series: “Silhouettes and Shadows”- Draw/paint along project using light and shadows

• Monday, Feb. 9; 6–7 p.m.
• Akron-Summit County Public Library – Highland Square Branch Community Room
• Free
• Audience: School age K-5
• Registration required | register here

ASCPL says: Celebrate Black History Month by learning about and replicating the art style of famous Black artists, led by local Black artists, P31 Art & Design! This program is intended for school-age children.

Howard Street and Beyond: A History of Jazz in Northeast Ohio

• Wednesday, Feb. 11; 6–8 p.m.
• Akron-Summit County Public Library – North Hill Branch Community Room
• Free
• Audience: Adults
• Registration required | register here

ASCPL says: Akron has been a hub for jazz in the Midwest since the 1930s. Its location between major cities like New York and Chicago made it an ideal stop for traveling musicians. Legends such as Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald performed here, while a thriving local scene took root—its influence is still felt today.

Historian and writer Rose Vance-Grom will explore the origins, places, and figures that shaped Akron’s vibrant business and entertainment district and its lasting impact on Northeast Ohio’s jazz legacy. She holds a Master of Arts in Applied History from the University of Akron and is a fourth-generation Akronite. She grew up listening to her father play jazz and later took up the saxophone herself.

Zoom: African American Arts: A Tapestry of Culture 

• Thursday, Feb. 12 ; 6–7 p.m.
• Akron-Summit County Public Library – Zoom
• Free
• Audience: Adults
• Registration required | register here

ASCPL says: A four-week virtual series celebrating the cultural influence of African American artists. Each week highlights their unique styles and lasting impact on the art world.

Local artist Stephanie Stewart, an Akron native, creates vibrant acrylic paintings that celebrate the beauty, strength, and complexity of Black identity. Drawing from her own life—both trials and triumphs—she produces uplifting works that reflect resilience, self-love, and hope. Through her art, she inspires viewers to see power in their own stories.

Black History Month Art Series: “Silhouettes and Shadows”- Draw/paint along project using light and shadows

• Monday, Feb. 16; 6–7 p.m.
• Akron-Summit County Public Library – Highland Square Branch Community Room
• Free
• Audience: School age K-5
• Registration required | register here

ASCPL says: Celebrate Black History Month by learning about and replicating the art style of famous Black artists, led by local Black artists, P31 Art & Design! This program is intended for school-age children.

• Wednesday, Feb. 18; 6–7 p.m.
• Akron-Summit County Public Library – Ellet Branch Community Room
• Free
• Audience: Adults
• Registration required | register here (Registration opens Feb. 4)

ASCPL says: Watch and learn from Chef Nina of Cookie’s BBQ as she prepares three classic Soul Food dishes in celebration of Black History Month. 

Zoom: African American Arts: A Tapestry of Culture 

• Thursday, Feb. 19 ; 6–7 p.m.
• Akron-Summit County Public Library – Zoom
• Free
• Audience: Adults
• Registration required | register here

ASCPL says: A four-week virtual series celebrating the cultural influence of African American artists. Each week highlights their unique styles and lasting impact on the art world.

Local artist Stephanie Stewart, an Akron native, creates vibrant acrylic paintings that celebrate the beauty, strength, and complexity of Black identity. Drawing from her own life—both trials and triumphs—she produces uplifting works that reflect resilience, self-love, and hope. Through her art, she inspires viewers to see power in their own stories.

Zoom: African American Arts: A Tapestry of Culture 

• Thursday, Feb. 26; 6–7 p.m.
• Akron-Summit County Public Library – Zoom
• Free
• Audience: Adults
• Registration required | register here

ASCPL says: A four-week virtual series celebrating the cultural influence of African American artists. Each week highlights their unique styles and lasting impact on the art world.

Local artist Stephanie Stewart, an Akron native, creates vibrant acrylic paintings that celebrate the beauty, strength, and complexity of Black identity. Drawing from her own life—both trials and triumphs—she produces uplifting works that reflect resilience, self-love, and hope. Through her art, she inspires viewers to see power in their own stories.