Celebrating Together as One,
Black History Month 2023
Together as One, started in February 2023, is an effort to centralize information about the various Black History Month plans of participating organizations. Each organization will hold its own event throughout the month but interested parties will have a central information contact for dates, times, and places.
This idea is the brainchild of Clifford Bell, Chairman of the Buffalo African American Museum. The plan is to bring the community together as one to observe and celebrate the contributions of African Americans. Now, more than ever, we need to come together as neighbors, community, and a nation. It is hoped that group participation will grow as more organizations join the effort.
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Special Thanks to the following supporting partners: Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier, Buffalo NAACP, Reverend Willie Pulliam of Agape AME Church
Community-wide Participating Organizations
Special thanks to the following participating organizations for coordinating with us on this community-wide initative. Check out the wide range of programming available during Black History Month in 2023! For any questions, please reach out directly to the organization's contact listed below.
Buffalo Black Achievers Museum (BBAM)
BBAM empowers our youth to excel and go forward by exposing them to the accomplishments of the heroes of our past aiding in their desire to advance our cause through technology. The Museum permanently houses standing exhibitions and archival resources that enlighten, educate, motivate and inspire not only the black community, but the wider population by focusing attention on the educators, businesspeople, social advocates, clergy and public figures who built Buffalo’s past and who plan the city’s future.
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Cost: $10/adult, $5/student, group rates available
Opening hours: 11am-4pm, by appointment only
Location: 1490 Jefferson Ave., Buffalo, NY 14208
Contact: (716) 884-1490
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
Visit the Central Library Downtown Buffalo for an exhibit celebration of our region's black history, presented by the Buffalo African American Museum. This exhibit features the history and influence of regional landmarks and individuals that helped form our great community. In addition to the exhibit, the Buffalo African American Museum will sponsor a noontime (12pm) speaker series every Friday in February highlighting the legacy and influence of African Americans in Western New York.
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Cost: Free
Opening hours: 8am-7pm Mon-Thurs; 9am-5pm Fri-Sat; Sun 12pm-5pm. Speaker series every Friday 12pm-1pm
Location: Central Library Ring of Knowledge, 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo NY 14203
Contact: (716) 884-1490
Buffalo Museum of Science
Visit the Buffalo Museum of Science to view “Celebrate Black History Month,” an exhibit highlighting some of the many scientific accomplishments of Black Americans throughout our country’s history.
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Cost: Adults: $18, Children 2-17: $15, Seniors 62+, Students & Military with ID: $15, Museum Members: FREE
Opening hours: February 1 – February 28, 2023, 10am – 4pm
Location: 1020 Humboldt PkwyBuffalo, NY 14211
Contact: Gabrielle Graham, ggraham@sciencebuff.org
Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy
Visit the shelter house at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park in Buffalo, NY, to view the exhibit "Making of a Monument". This exhibit highlights the incredible process spearheaded by founding members of the Buffalo African American Museum​, from the artist search to construction and the official unveiling. Also check out the free self-guided mobile audio tour of MLK Jr. Park, narrated by Mr. Clifford Bell.
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Cost: Free
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday, 7am-3pm, except holidays
Location: MLK Jr. Park, Fillmore Ave and Best St, Buffalo, NY 14211
Contact: Zhi Ting Phua, Director of Engagement and Inclusion, (716) 838-1249, ext. 31 or zhi@bfloparks.org
Burchfield Penney Art Center
100 Years from Mississippi (2021) Screening
A special screening and discussion of the documentary 100 Years from Mississippi (directed by Tarabu Betserai Kirkland, 2021) will be presented in conjunction with the LEROI: Living in Color exhibition. The program will feature a discussion between longtime friends, director Tarabu Betserai Kirkland and artist LeRoi Johnson. Join us on February 4, 2023, at 2:00 pm and get to know Mamie Kirkland’s story through the film and their memories. Discover how her story connects with the Black Lives Matter thematic section of the ongoing exhibition LEROI: Living in Color, on view thru March 26th.
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Cost: Free. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis
Screening date: Saturday, February 4, 2023, 2pm – 5pm
Location: Burchfield Penney Art Center, 1300 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222
Contact: (716) 878-6011
Burchfield Penney Art Center
Sharing Our View: 25th Anniversary, On view February 10 – May 28, 2023
Sharing Our View: 25th Anniversary is a celebration of a 1998 exhibition organized by John Baker to showcase a diverse range of black visual artists working in Buffalo. This reimagined exhibition features artwork by the artists included in the original show, archival material, a collaborative student mural project led by John Baker, and several contemporary artists. On view through May 28, 2023, the exhibition opens February 10, 2023 at M&T Second Friday hosted at the Burchfield Penney.
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Cost: Admission is free during M&T Second Friday (February 10, 2023). Otherwise, regular admission fees apply (Adults: $10 / Seniors (62 & over): $8 / Students (with ID): $5 / Children age 10 & under: FREE)
Free admission date: M&T Second Friday is from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Burchfield Penney Art Center, 1300 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222
Contact: (716) 878-6011
Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor
There Are Stories To Tell: Black History Month Talks
All of the Black History Month Talks take place on Tuesdays from 6 - 7 PM at the Frank E. Merriweather Jr. Library. Talks are free and open to the public. In-person attendees do not need to register, simply show up at the library on the day of the talks. The talks will also be streamed live. Register to get a zoom link emailed to you and tune in from home!
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Freedom is Not Free: Letters from WWII Soldiers to Rev. Nash, Tuesday February 7, 2023, Speakers: Lillie Wiley-Upshaw, Rachel Henderson, and Sharon Holley
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Andrew Jackson Smitherman: A Pen Warrior – In Defense of his People, Tuesday February 14, 2023, Speaker: Dr. Barbara Seals Nevergold
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Behinds the scenes of Black Radio, Tuesday February 21, 2023, Speakers: Sheila Brown & Lee Pettigrew
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Untold Stories of The Historic Colored Musicians Club, Tuesday February 28, 2022, Speaker: George Scott, Danny Williams, & Craig Steger
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Cost: Free
Event hours: 6pm-7pm
Location: Frank E. Merriweather Jr. Library, 1324 Jefferson Ave, Buffalo, NY 14208
Contact: info@michiganstreetbuffalo.org
Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor
Black History Through Art: Pop-Up Exhibits in the Corridor
Every Friday in the Nash Lofts at 163 Broadway from 5 PM – 8 PM
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Equal Justice Initiative Lynching Memorial, Stephen Gabris, Friday February 3, 2023
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Alexa & Edreys Wajed, Friday February 10, 2023
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Charlotte Cardwell, Friday February 17, 2023
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Community Pop-Up, Friday February 24, 2023
All community members are encouraged to participate in our public pop-art exhibit! Community members can submit their artwork to be in the show by emailing info@michiganstreetbuffalo.org for more information.
Cost: Free
Exhibit hours: Every Friday in the Nash Lofts at 163 Broadway from 5pm-8pm
Location: Nash Lofts, 163 BroadwayBuffalo, NY 14204
Contact: info@michiganstreetbuffalo.org
Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center (NFURHC)
Join the NFURHC for a new on-going speaker-series, Talk Tuesday Family Kahoot Night, Niagara Renaissance Art-Expo, a concert featuring Buffalo’s very own David Jonathan & The Inner City Bedlam and so much more! Visit their website to view all of their events for Black History Month as well as tour times throughout the season!
All community members are encouraged to participate in our public pop-art exhibit! Community members can submit their artwork to be in the show by emailing info@michiganstreetbuffalo.org for more information.
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Cost: All presentations are hybrid and are priced as follows, $8 singles, $12 couples, $25 families. The David Jonathan & The Inner City Bedlam Concert is $15 per person
Registration: All presentations require registrations as well as the David Jonathan & The Inner City Bedlam Concert on February 25th @ 7pm.
Opening hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10AM-5PM (Last Entry at 4:30PM)
Location: 825 Depot Avenue West, Niagara Falls, NY 14305
Contact: Kiara Santiago, Public Programs Coordinator, kiara@niagarafallsundergroundrailroad.org
The Buffalo History Museum
Say Their Names: Honor Their Legacies
The Buffalo History Museum is partnering with the Uncrowned Queens Institute during the month of February to debut a new program entitled, Say Their Names: Honor Their Legacies. The program will feature a photographic exhibit and oral history videos that capture the stories of an initial group of Buffalo’s venerable community builders. Exhibit opens February 17.
Join Uncrowned Queens Institute founders, Dr. Barbara A. Seals Nevergold and Dr. Peggy Brooks-Bertram on M&T Bank Third Friday, February 17 at 6 pm to learn more about their Say Their Names initiative and how you can participate.
Cost: The Musuem offers pay what you wish admission daily (recommended admission is $10). Admission is free on M&T Third Fridays from 10a.m. to 8 p.m.
Museum opening hours: Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursdays through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: One Museum Ct., Buffalo NY 14216
Contact: Brian Hayden, Director of Communications and Community Engagement, bhayden@buffalohistory.org, (716)873-9444 ex.317