February is Black History Month — a time to reflect, celebrate, and honor Black culture in Austin. From historic walking tours to local events, we’re highlighting some ideas to celebrate Black history with your family.
Ideas for Celebrating Black History Month
Family-Friendly Events:
Check here for more Black History Month events in the Austin metro area!
— Black History Month Kids’ Day @ George Washington Carver Museum
Saturday, Feb. 24 | 11 am – 3 pm | FREE with RSVP
Come join The Carver Museum for a fun-filled day of celebration and learning on Saturday, Feb 24 beginning at 11 am. This event is dedicated to honoring and educating little ones about the rich history of Black culture, with an emphasis on the 2024 Black History Month theme – African Americans and the Arts. There will be a range of engaging activities, including storytelling sessions, arts and crafts workshops, and interactive exhibits. Get more info here.
— Buda Black History Celebration 2024 @ Buda Amphitheater and City Park
Saturday, Feb. 24 | Noon – 4 pm | 204 San Antonio St., Buda
The Buda Black History Celebration is an event meant to celebrate, educate, provide resources to, and support the black community. The 2024 theme is “African Americans and the Arts” spanning the many impacts Black Americans have had on visual arts, music, cultural movements, and more. This is a FREE event open to anyone in the community. Get more info here.
— Celebrate Black Austin @ Kenny Dorham’s Backyard
Saturday, Feb. 24 | noon – 3:30 pm | FREE with RSVP
The event will kickoff with a walking tour of East Austin. This tour will highlight landmarks and street art of historic significance and amplify the voices and stories of those from the community. Following the tour will be opportunities to shop with local black-owned businesses.
George Washington Carver Museum via Yelp
Cultural Institutions: The following are wonderful places to learn about the history of local culture. They also offer engaging programming for families throughout the year:
— George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center: Visit the backyard space, known as Freedom Plaza, which is home to a wonderful, outdoor Juneteenth Memorial Sculpture that is open to the public to explore. This local institution works to “create a space where the global contributions of all Black people are celebrated.” This is a great place to take the whole family to learn about local Black culture and history through story times, concerts, workshops, and exhibits, mostly offered at no cost to the public. Stay tuned to the Carver Museum website for updates on all of their events.
Six Square Austin’s Black Cultural District via Facebook
— Six Square: Austin’s Black Cultural Historic District comprises six square miles of East Austin, and is home to numerous sites of significance featuring landmarks of Black architecture and design, historic cemeteries, sites of slavery and emancipation, churches, and more. As part of their community programming, you can book a tour that features landmarks and stories of more than 150 years of Black life and culture in Austin.
Photography by Lisa Davis via Austin History Center, Austin Public Library Facebook Page
— Austin History Center: As the local history division of the Austin Public Library, the Austin History Center offers a wealth of information about the history, current events, and activities of Austin and Travis County. Virtually, you can access interesting collections and suggested reading on many aspects of Black history in our area. They include collections about freedman communities, gentrification in Austin, an online exhibit about protests and demonstrations, a collection of photographs from The Villager newspaper, and much more. Check here for Austin History Center’s in-person hours.
Bessie Coleman via African American Cultural and Heritage Facility
— African American Cultural and Heritage Facility: The African American Cultural and Heritage Facility adds to the area’s cultural significance by offering arts, business, cultural and entertainment programming. You can tune into The Pivot, their live-streamed video podcast featuring topics and discussions about the East Austin community. Each segment features a musical performance from local musicians and airs every first and third Wednesdays at 7 pm on the @AACHFAustin Facebook page.
Via Huston-Tillotson University Facebook Page
— Huston-Tillotson University: This was the first institution of higher learning in Austin. In 1878, Samuel Huston College moved to Austin from Dallas, where the Ku Klux Klan had burned down its building. Huston-Tillotson College was formed by the merger of Samuel Huston College and Tillotson College, which was effective on October 24, 1952. Today, the university’s Office of Civic Engagement and Community Outreach provides wonderful activities from theatrical productions, guest lecturers, and summer camps. You can visit htu.edu for information about any community programming to come.
Texas African American History Memorial on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol; photo by Heidi Okla
Visiting Historical Landmarks & Murals
Austin is home to several historical landmarks reflective of African American history. Taking a tour offers a great opportunity for you to research, discuss, and honor how Black Americans have helped shape Austin. For some places to help you map out your tour, check out this list of Austin’s African American Landmarks and this list of Historic Spaces that Shaped Austin’s African American culture. The following are also great resources to help you plan where to get out and explore Austin’s history.
— Self-Guided Walking Tour of East Austin: Designed by the United Way of Greater Austin for MLK Jr. Day of Service, this great resource can be used for any day of the year. Click here for a map of a 3-mile walking tour. And take note that parking is free in their lot this month only during your walking tour.
— Black Austin Tours: Discover the vibrant history of Austin’s Black community by visiting historical landmarks and current Black-owned businesses. Guests on this experience will gain factual knowledge of Austin’s history and have a list of businesses to support on their next visit to Texas’ Capitol City. Learn more here and book your tour.
— Black History Bike Ride: Black History Bike Ride is a part of Six Square’s non-profit incubator program that offers several bike routes that explore Austin’s Black historical landmarks. Click here for more info.
— Texas African American History Memorial: The monument on the Texas State Capitol grounds is open to the public, and a great place to visit with kids. Sculpted by Ed Dwight, this traces the history of African Americans from the 1500s to the present and includes representations of heroes such as Texas Revolutionary fighter Hendrick Arnold to leaders such as Barbara Jordan. The central portion of the memorial dramatically depicts Juneteenth in Texas: June 19, 1865, when African Americans were freed from the bonds of slavery.
— Black Legacy Mural Project: Adding to Austin’s impressive collection of street art, the Black Legacy Project has contributed some wonderful murals to our city that pay homage to the culture and history of Austin’s Black community. This public art program and fundraising campaign aims to empower our community through education and inspiration. Click here to learn more.
‘Legacy’ Mural located at Spruce Upholstery (2005 S Lamar Blvd); Artists: Sadé, Niz, and Zuzu; Photo: Zuzu. The Legacy Mural features portraits of Dorothy Nell Turner (left) and Angela Davis (right).
More to Explore:
