The Town of Carrboro’s Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department will be celebrating Black History Month throughout February. Please see below for a list of activities the department will be offering.
February 1st – February 28th
Black History Month Proclamation
During the Town Council meeting on February 2nd, 2021, Mayor Lydia Lavelle issued a proclamation recognizing Black History Month in the Town of Carrboro. Read the proclamation, which recognizes many Black people who have played significant roles in the life of our community, including Robert “Bob” Drakeford, Braxton Foushee, Hilliard Caldwell, Henry “Hank” Anderson, Joal Hall Broun, Michelle Johnson, Barbara Foushee, Fred Joiner, and Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten, at http://townofcarrboro.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1591
Virtual Art Exhibit “Pure Luxury” with Artist Jermaine Powell
Local artist Jermaine Powell’s mixed media work is currently being featured as a virtual exhibit on the Town’s website. To access the exhibit, please visit http://townofcarrboro.org/2510/Virtual-Art-Exhibit---Jermaine-Powell
Virtual Youth Art Exhibit
Local student artists submitted original artwork that expresses what Black History Month means to them. Select artwork will be displayed on the Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources website during the month of February. If you are a local student interested in submitting your work, please contact Dana Hughes at dhughes@townofcarrboro.org or 919.918.7372 for instructions on submission. To access the show, please visit https://www.townofcarrboro.org/2512/Virtual-Art-Exhibit---Youth-Black-Histor
28 Days of Black History Trivia
February is dedicated as Black History Month, honoring the triumphs and struggles of African Americans throughout U.S. history, including civil rights movements, cultural and political achievements. Test your knowledge or learn something new each day. There will be one trivia question and answer posted each day on the Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/carrbororec
Inspiring Black History Month Quotes to Remember
Need a little inspiration to start your day? Check out these wonderful, inspirational quotes from civil rights icons. One quote will be posted each day on the Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/carrbororec
Black History Legends - Orange County Style
Check Town social media accounts and our YouTube account (https://www.youtube.com/carrboronc) on Wednesdays in February as members of the Orange County BIPOC Elected Officials share videos honoring local Black History Legends!
Ways to Commemorate Black History Month in Orange County
Check out the Visitors Bureau site (https://www.visitchapelhill.org/blog/post/ways-to-commemorate-black-history-month-in-orange-county/) for more information on other programs in Orange County.
February 1st
Celebrating Black People in America – George Henry White
6:00pm
The Town of Carrboro welcomes Dr. Benjamin R. Justesen as he discusses his recently released book, Forgotten Legacy: William McKinley, George Henry White, and the Struggle for Black Equality. Dr. Justesen will be joined by local college students who will read from George Henry White’s farewell address to Congress. Retired Chief Public Defender, James E. Williams, Jr. will emcee the event with introductory remarks from current Congressman G. K. Butterfield. To register for this Zoom program, visit https://townofcarrboro.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-lorm6uDSauaS23HIFNzvQ
Update: For a direct link to the program on YouTube, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqgAqNcYpDc
February 2nd
Poets Open Mic Night
7:00pm-8:00pm
The Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources monthly open mic allows local poets to engage with others and share the power and diversity of poetry. While the program is open to all topics, we encourage those interested to share work that celebrates Black History Month. This program will be held via Zoom. For more information, contact Dana Hughes at dhughes@townofcarrboro.org or 919.918.7372.
February 4th
Black History Month Senior (50+) Bingo
10:00am-11:30am
Join us on Zoom to test your knowledge of Black History or just to have fun as we play bingo. To register, contact Dana Hughes at dhughes@townofcarrboro.org or 919.918.7372.
February 17th
Black Experiences with Storyteller Donna Washington
6:00pm-7:30pm
Donna Washington is an internationally known, multiple award-winning storyteller, spoken word recording artist, and author. A highly-animated performer, she has been entertaining, educating, and inspiring audiences with her vocal pyrotechnics, elastic face, and deep characterizations that bring folklore, literary tales, and personal narratives to life for over thirty years. This is a virtual show with a question and answer session to follow the show. Parents are encouraged to watch the show with their youth (Ages: Middle School & Up). For more information, please contact Robbin Justice-Jones at rjones@townofcarrboro.org or 919.918.7368. To register for this Zoom program, please go to https://townofcarrboro.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_H0ONe9QOQgePBKP_DvbByg
February 28th
Family Fun Sunday Series with JeGhetto
2:30pm-3:30pm
Tarish Pipkins a.k.a. Jeghetto has fine-tuned his skills by doing street performances with his puppets. He has worked with Paperhand Puppet Intervention. He has built puppets and performed in several Paperhand productions. Most recently, Jeghetto had the pleasure to work with national recording artist, Missy Elliott on her music video, WTF (Where They From) controlling the Pharell puppet and doing some puppet building. He also worked on the Amazon Echo commercial featuring Missy Elliott and Alec Baldwin as puppets. Children and adults alike will be amazed. For more information on registration, contact Robbin Justice-Jones at rjones@townofcarrboro.org or 919.918.7368.
** Please note that the planned trip to the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro, NC on February 10th has been canceled. We hope to offer this opportunity again in the future.
** Due to a scheduling conflict this year, the West African Jam Series event will be held on March 26th.
If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department via email at programsdivision@townofcarrboro.org or by phone at 919.918.7364.