Several special events and exhibits will commemorate Kansas City’s rich Black history.
February is Black History Month, a national celebration recognizing the accomplishments of Black Americans. In Kansas City, this celebration recognizes the Black individuals and groups that have shaped our cultural institutions and are vital to our region’s story. If you are interested in attending, please visit the appropriate websites for times and admission information.
American Jazz Museum: To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the American Jazz Museum presents “Sound & Story: 25 Years at the American Jazz Museum” to explore how jazz is an indispensable part of the cultural infrastructure and identity of Kansas City. In the Feb.11 show “Jammin’ at the Gem with Eric Roberson,” the Grammy nominee brings his original perspectives on R&B and soul sounds as an independent artist who has been performing for more than 20 years.
The museum offers interactive exhibits and educational programs year-round.
For more information, visit americanjazzmuseum.org.
Friends of Alvin Ailey: On Feb. 23, “Setting the Stage: The Moving Story of African American Dance” presents a visual journey through African American dance history. Performed by local and national artists, it chronicles historically important dancers and choreographers, including Katherine Dunham and Alvin Ailey. For more information, visit kcfaa.org.
Kauffman Center for Performing Arts offers three performances celebrating Black history and Black artists. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit kauffmancenter.org.
On Feb. 3-4, the Störling Dance Theater presents Störling Dance Theater's UNDERGROUND, the story of the Underground Railroad, featuring original music and stunning costumes.
On Feb. 3-5, the Kansas City Symphony presents “Respect: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin.” Known as the Queen of Soul, Franklin broke records and shaped history as an activist.
On Feb. 24, the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra presents “The Future Feat: Lee Langston and Eboni Fondren,” a reflection and celebration of the dynamic jazz genre.
Mid-Continent Public Library will offer an event or activity nearly every day of the month in recognition of Black History Month, including book clubs, art explorations, historical perspectives, family-focused performances and more. Some events are online; other are in-person at library locations. All are free. For the full calendar, visit mymcpl.org. The library also offers several online databases such as African American History Online; Black Thought and Culture; Slavery and Anti-Slavery and Slavery; and Abolition & Social Justice, 1490-2007.
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum will offer free museum admission during February, courtesy of the Kansas City Royals and Royals Charities, which are covering the cost.
In addition to the specific events listed above, several other organizations provide ongoing information or programming focusing on Black history, including:
African American Heritage Trail of Kansas City, MO (aathkc.org)
Black Archives of Mid-America (blackarchives.org)
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum (trumanlibrary.gov)
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art (kemperart.org) features Frederick James Brown’s monumental work “The History of Art,” a series of 110 paintings lining the walls of Café Sebastienne.
Mutual Musicians Foundation (thefoundationjamson.org)
National WWI Museum and Memorial’s online exhibition “Make Way for Democracy”
Photo: @_bysmash
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