The Scene: Black History Month

We Still Here mural, 22 Maplewood Mall, courtesy Mural Arts Philadelphia / Gaia, Jetsonorama & Ursula Rucker: photo by Steve Weinik

February marks Black History Month. With such a diverse and historical city, Philadelphia has a number of events going on in honor of African Americans’ continual impact on the United States.

Head on over to the National Constitution Center for interactive, themed programming, and tour the African American Museum’s new exhibit “Black Pulp” to learn about the black experience in America from the 20th-century onward. Bring the kids to the 26th Annual African American Children’s Book Fair on Feb. 3 at the Community College of Philadelphia for the country’s oldest and largest single-day event highlighting African American children’s books. Watch “Henry ‘Box’ Brown: A Hip Hop Musical” about the slave who mailed himself from Virginia to Philadelphia in 1849, at the Community College of Philadelphia’s Bonnell Auditorium.

Support local Philadelphians of color by visiting one of the many black-owned businesses around Philly. Not sure where to go? For some ideas, here’s just a drop in the bucket: Dine at Dos Tacos, 48th Street Grille, Relish and Aksum Cafe. For art, tour the Tiberino Museum, Rush Arts Philly and the Bazemore Gallery. Shop ‘til you drop at The Sable Collective, Cultured Couture Vintage and Charlie’s Jeans.

Just walk around town, and be reminded by one of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sculptures about the importance of Black History – not only in February, but all year round.

February. Times vary. Prices vary. Throughout the city. http://www.visitphilly.com/articles/philadelphia/black-history-month-in-philadelphia/