CLEVELAND — To commemorate Black History Month in Cleveland, the city of Cleveland and places like the Karamu House and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame are holding events throughout February to celebrate African-Americans who were pioneers in Cleveland.
The City of Cleveland is recognizing local African-American leaders through this year's theme "Cleveland Building a Sense of Community," which is dedicated to James and William Whitley as well as Joyce Whitley of Whitley and Whitley Architects.
Their firm is credited with working on famous Cleveland landmarks Tower City, Cleveland State University Wolstein Center and the Lee-Harvard Branch of the Public Library.
Throughout the month of February, the city is hosting the following events that are open and free to the public:
- Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 12 p.m. City Hall Rotunda—Building a Sense of Community in Black Business Honorees: Delmar Yarborough and Akil Hameed
- Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 12 pm. City Hall Rotunda— Black History Month Bazaar
- Friday, Feb. 8 at 12 p.m. City Hall Rotunda— Building a Sense of Community for Armed Services Honorees: Asa V. Newman, Roy S. Richardson and Thomas Early Cooper
- Saturday, Feb. 9 at 11 a.m. City Hall Rotunda— Flag Raising
- Sunday, Feb. 10 at 5 p.m. Calvary COGIC—Building a Sense of Community in Gospel Music Honoree: Gertrude Ribbins (posthumously)
- Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 12 p.m. City Hall Rotunda— Building a Sense of Community in the Media Honoree: Ulysses Glen
- Friday, Feb. 15 at 12 p.m. City Hall Rotunda—Building a Sense of Community Around Alzheimer's Disease
- Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 12 p.m. City Hall Rotunda— Building a Sense of Community for Women's Health
- Thursday, Feb. 21 at 12:15 p.m. City Hall Rotunda—Building a Sense of Community in Arts & Culture. Honoree: Ed Ridley
Other events around Cleveland:
Black History on Tap: Living Legends at Cleveland History Center, 10825 East Boulevard, Cleveland.
In this latest History on Tap, you can sip on beer while hearing about the African-Americans who were pioneers in arts, music and theater in Cleveland. More info here.
- Saturday, Feb 16 from 1-4 p.m.
The Impact of Shuffle Along at Karamu House, 2355 East. 89th Street, Cleveland.
Known as the oldest African-American theater company in the nation with alums such as Langston Huges, Ruby Dee and Robert Guillame, Karamu House is hosting a special event with a performance of "Shuffle Along," a show written and performed entirely by African-Americans. The Karamu House will also produce a double feature of "27 Wagons Full of Cotton" and "This Property is Condemned," both written by Tennessee Williams. More info here.
- The Impact of 'Shuffle Along'—Thursday, Feb. 7, 1-8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 8-Saturday, Feb. 9 at 8 p.m.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, 1100 East 9th Street, Cleveland
The music mecca in Cleveland will celebrate Black History Month with a series of special programming recognizing the contributions that African-Americans have made to rock 'n' roll. Guests can choose from events like a film screening of "Marley" detailing Bob Marley's impact on music history, an evening with writer, musician and critic Greg Tate and Grammy Award-winning producer Craig Street and the new exhibit called "King Records: Thirty Years That Changed American Music." Find full info here.
Cleveland Public Library
Throughout the month of February, the Cleveland Public Library will host programs for Black History Month, which include a visit with Anthony Ray Hinton, author of "The Sun Does Shine" and the screening of "Uptight." More info on events here.
