Your Neighborhood at a Glance: Celebrate Black History Month in NYC

Today is the start of Black History Month and New York City is celebrating with special events that will be held throughout the five boroughs. Black History Month was initiated by historian Carter G. Woodson in February 1926 with the goal of educating the public on the history of the African diaspora and African Americans’ cultural background and reputable achievements. New York City is paying tribute with scores of educational and provocative events, exhibits, conversations and celebrations.

We hand-picked several events that we are particularly excited about:

Breaking the Color Barrier in Major League Baseball at the Metropolitan Museum of Art features more than 30,000 baseball cards dated from 1887 to 1959. The cards were selected from the Jefferson R. Burdick collection and the exhibit represents the most comprehensive collection outside of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Celebrate Black History Month at the Brooklyn Museum every Saturday of the month with excellent free events. There are inspirational discussions, captivating film screenings, lively music parties, and breathtaking art exhibits.  

The Historic Harlem Walking Tour, curated by Big Onion Walking Tours, is held on February 4^th, 17^th and 26^th, and offers a tour of one of the most historic and significant neighborhoods in African American history. Walk the same grounds that Martin Luther King Jr., W.E.B. Dubois, and Malcolm X walked.

The legendary Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater kicks off it’s season tonight, February 1^st, with special musical guest Jennifer Holliday. There is simply nothing like Amateur Night at the Apollo, where performers such as James Brown became famous. It’s a big party where courageous contestants show off their talents in front of the notoriously fickly audience. Who will be booed? Who will be cheered? And who will be the next Apollo legend?

What other events are we missing?