Here's how Chapel Hill and Carrboro are celebrating Black History Month

In celebration of Black History Month, the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP are hosting various events to honor Black history and heritage.

Here's an overview of some of the public local events happening during the month of February.

Carrboro events

Virtual Youth Art Exhibit

Youth artists from the area are invited to submit original artwork showcasing what Black History Month means to them. Chosen artwork will be presented on the Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources website throughout February.

Dana Hughes, recreation supervisor for the Town of Carrboro, helped to organize the art exhibit. She said 12 people submitted artwork last year that was posted on the Town’s website.

The exhibit is currently accepting artwork, Hughes said.

28 Days of Black History Trivia

Each day, one trivia question and answer about Black history in the U.S. will be posted throughout the month of February on the Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Department’s Facebook page. The questions will cover topics ranging from the civil rights movement to culture and politics.

Family Fun Sunday Series with Jeghetto

On Wednesday, the Carrboro Century Center will feature a puppet performance by a North Carolina-based artist and puppeteer Tarish Pipkins, who is known as "Jeghetto."  

The event will take place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and costs $3 per person.  

Celebrating Black America — Frederick Douglass’ The Lessons of the Hour

On Thursday, the Carrboro Century Center will host local history scholars and community leaders to watch a 1994 reenactment of one of Frederick Douglass’ last speeches, “The Lessons of the Hour,” by actor and scholar Fred Morsell.

This event will last from 6 to 8 p.m. and is free for all ages. 

Chapel Hill events

Celebrating Black History Month with Storyteller Tyris Jones 

On Friday, Laurinburg artist Tyris Jones will perform original stories in an event from 2 to 3 p.m. The event will be held at the Seymour Senior Center.

Celebrating Black History Month — Congolese Drumming

On Feb. 18 from 2 to 3 p.m., Orange County musician Ken Wilson will accompany Pline Mounzeo in leading a traditional Congolese drum performance. Mounzeo is a professional musician from Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, who has toured in multiple countries.

The event will also be held at Seymour Center.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP events 

Black To The Future Blood Campaign 

From Feb. 5 through Feb. 28, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP asks community members to find the nearest blood drive locations to donate blood.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP President Dawna Jones said the Black To The Future Blood Campaign is important to help address the ongoing local blood shortage. 

The Power of Organizing: Screening and Discussion

In honor of Black History Month and Presidents' Day, the NAACP will host a screening of a documentary about former President Barack Obama. 

A panel of people who campaigned for Obama will be available after the screening to answer questions.

The event will be held on Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.

Book Discussion: "The Sum of Us," Co-Sponsored with Northern Orange NAACP 

On Feb. 24, several community members and the NAACP will gather to discuss "The Sum of Us," a book that analyzes the ties between economic crises and racism. 

The book discussion will begin at 6:30 p.m on Zoom. Those who attend are encouraged to buy the book from local bookstores. 

Those interested in attending the discussion can register online. 

"Although we celebrate one another all year long, this designated time brings us together for a common cause in recognition, homage, and reverence to those icons and individuals who have made or are making Black history every day,” Jones said in an email. 

If your organization is hosting an event for Black History Month, please email city@dailytarheel.com to have information added to this article.

@meg_bergstrom

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