During Black History Month in February the United States commemorates and celebrates the achievements of African Americans throughout history. Spokane has its own African American community and there are many opportunities to engage with this community throughout this month.
There are different forms of events to attend to educate oneself and engage with Spokane’s African American community. Some events offered this February will be hosted through The Spokane Public Libraries, Spokane Black Voices Symposium, the Carl Maxey Center and the MLK Center.
Spokane Public Libraries are hosting two different events throughout February. On February 10, at 6 p.m. the event Poetry Rising: Black History Month will be held at South Hill Library. This event celebrates black history month with poets Stephen Pitters and Gaye Hallman, author Teressa Brooks as well as other black artists who will be presenting.
Then, on February 27 at 6 p.m., the event A Community Practice: Love and Belonging, Black Liturgies for Staying Human will be held at Liberty Park Library. This event’s discussion will be following Cole Arthur Riley’s Black Liturgies and engaging in conversation around “nonviolent, intersectional and interfaith meditation and reflection.”
The Spokane Black Voices Symposium is held through Gonzaga University every year with African American students presenting on a different theme. The event will be held on February 10, at 7 p.m. and is titled “Spokane Black Voices – Symposium with The Black Lens.” This will be the fourth annual Spokane Black Voices Symposium and this years theme is “Powered by Courage.” Free tickets are required, and the event will be held at Gonzaga in Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, Coughlin Theater.
The annual Black Business Expo is coming up on February 22, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will be held at the MLK Center in downtown Spokane. The Sandy Williams Black Business EXPO celebrates the “talent, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of Black-owned businesses in our community.”
The Spokane Community Against Racism (SCAR) also offers volunteer opportunities. The Research & Data (RAD) team gathers and analyzes data to understand the impact of racism and develop strategies to combat racism. Writer’s Room is a place for a diverse group of people to come together and raise awareness through writing and storytelling. Light Activism Team works with the local community and businesses to raise awareness of the impact of racism.
For those who can’t attend events, April Rivers Eberhardt, from The Black Lens News, recommends three books through the Spokane Public Library. The first is Just As I Am: A Memoir by Cicely Tyson which is an autobiography following a black artist during the civil rights movement. Next, she recommends a life guidance book Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual by Luvvie Ajayi Jones which guides the reader in how to use “their voice for good.” Lastly, a classic from a civil rights activist The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin which contains two of Baldwin’s essays condemning racism during the 1960s.
