AURORA | Schools, community organizations and cultural centers across Aurora, the region and the nation are marking Black History Month — a celebration of Black history, culture and education.
The history of the month dates back almost a century, and the way it is celebrated and evolved has created history in itself.
The origins of Black History Month
Black History Month wasn’t always a month-long celebration. In February 1926, historian and author Carter G. Woodson created Negro History Week. It was a week-long celebration in an effort to teach people about African-American history and the contributions of Black people.
This effort was made under the umbrella of an organization he founded in September 1915 called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, or ASALH.
“I think Black folks understood what they had contributed to America’s historical narrative, but no one was talking about it,” said Kaye Whitehead, the organization’s president. “No one was centralizing it until Dr. Carter G. Woodson was in 1926.”
After he passed away in 1950, the members of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, which Dr. Woodson was a member of, did a lot of groundwork to encourage celebrating the week. The fraternity was also responsible for the push to extend the celebrations to a full month. Eventually, in 1976, President Gerald Ford became the first president to issue a message recognizing the month.
Since then, presidents have made annual proclamations for National Black History Month, a tradition that President Donald Trump plans to continue, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Celebrating Black history
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History releases a theme for each year, which is a practice Woodson started.
This year’s theme is African Americans and Labor. The organization plans to use the month, and the rest of the year, focusing on the role of Black labor in building the nation through industry or community work.
Black history is also celebrated within communities and families. Worth K. Hayes, an associate professor of history and Africana studies at Morehouse College, said some families may use the month to explore their genealogy, learn about their ancestors or come together to eat a meal and make family trees.
“We may be more familiar with the more public ways, but there are also a lot more intimate ways in which these messages are spread and the way that the holiday is propagated,” Hayes said.
At some schools, assemblies or gatherings are held to honor Black leaders, according to the nonpartisan organization the Center for Racial Justice in Education.
“Some schools invite elders to share their wisdom and lived experiences, allowing young people to learn from them, ask questions, and build meaningful connections across generations,” the center said in an email to The Associated Press. “Additionally, some communities select specific topics or principles for in-depth exploration during the month.”
Aurora and Cherry Creek schools officials point a wide range of events across the month.
Myths about Black History Month
Myths around Black History Month continue, Whitehead said, including the idea that the U.S. government purposely chose the shortest month of the year. In reality, Woodson chose February because two prominent figures in the civil rights movement — Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass — had birthdays in the week he chose.
Whitehead also stresses that Black history shouldn’t just be taught for the month of February, but rather taught and celebrated for the entire year.
Celebrities, including actor Morgan Freeman, have criticized it being just a monthlong celebration. But Hayes argued that the month isn’t just about celebrating African-American history, but Black history as a whole.
“I think that there is this desire to make this point that African-American history or Black history is so integral to the American story, American history,” Hayes said. “But that reduces Black history to African-American history, and that’s not how it is and is celebrated from its origins to this day … So if you’re talking about Black History Month, you’re not only talking about Nat Turner, you’re also talking about Toussaint Louverture and the Haitian Revolution. You’re talking about many of the women and men who led the independence movements on the African continent.”
Whitehead added that Black history is not just for Black people, it is for all people.
“If you’re in an environment and everybody in the environment is white, you need Black History Month more than ever because you need to understand that the world, even though you like to believe it fits into this box, it does not,” Whitehead said.
Black history doesn’t rely on a presidential proclamation, Whitehead and others said. Whitehead said Black people don’t need permission to mark the month.
“It doesn’t happen because we’re waiting for a statement to be released. We proclaim it, We celebrate it, we uplift, we center it and we help people to understand that this is our history,” she said.
Black History Month in 2025
At least one government agency has paused celebrations of cultural or historic events, including Black History Month. But at the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the decisions of the new Trump administration around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives will not affect how Black History Month is celebrated.
“Negro History Week started in 1926 without any proclamation from anyone other than the people,” said ASALH executive director Sylvia Cyrus. “The president of the United States has his views, and certainly we assume that he understands the contributions that African Americans and other people of color have made.”
A White House spokesperson has said that they intend to celebrate the month.
Some believe how Black history is taught could be affected by the new administration’s outlook on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs.
The Center for Racial Justice in Education said educators may be more encouraged to teach Black history in their classrooms throughout the year. “Resistance takes many inspiring forms, and those dedicated to celebrating this essential history are employing creative and strategic approaches to share and further develop it,” the organization said in an email.
Hayes agreed and said it could encourage others to teach communities about the contributions of Black people.
“African Americans, Black folks throughout the world, just like all cultures throughout the world, have taken ownership of their history,” he said. “And these various political developments may shape the contours of it. But this story is going to be told regardless of the political dynamics of the particular time.”
Black history events in the Aurora region
“Gee’s Bend” at the Aurora Fox
Building on a lauded Fox show from last season, “Gee’s Bend” runs through Feb. 23 at the venue’s main stage.
Written by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder and directed by local theater and documentary icon donnie l. betts, the show focuses on issues surrounding the Southern Freedom Movement.
Set in the isolated town of Gee’s Bend, Ala., the play spans the years 1939, 1965, and 2002, following Sadie and her family as they navigate segregation, family struggles, and the Southern Freedom Movement. At the heart of the story are the family’s extraordinary quilts, which serve as symbols of comfort, creativity, and resilience. Ultimately, the recognition of these quilts as art empowers the women and honors their legacy.
“Gee’s Bend” builds on the Fox Theater’s exploration Black American history, continuing the conversation begun with August Wilson’s “Gem of the Ocean” in 2024.
Recommended for all ages, “Gee’s Bend” offers stories of perseverance, artistry, and the enduring power of family.
IF YOU GO:
Event: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Through Feb. 23 with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. and Friday and Saturday curtains at 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Aurora Fox Arts Center,
Tickets: $17-$52 with details at
AuroraFoxArtsCenter.org or
call 303-739-1970
We are Black History: Our Legacy Lives On panel
Colorado Black Women for Political Action will be hosting a program that will feature a panel discussion on the proposed Colorado Voting Rights Act (SB25-001), moderated by CBWPA President Bianka Emerson. The panel speakers include Javon Brame, a Justice for Black Coloradans commissioner, who brings insights into equity and representation in voting rights. Aly Belknap, representing Common Cause Colorado, offers expertise on voter advocacy and the legislative process. Terrance Carroll, president of the Sam Cary Bar Association, contributes a legal perspective on voting rights and policy. The evening will also feature a reception and DJ, creating a lively space for networking and community engagement. This event is supported by organizations such as Colorado Common Cause, Colorado Black Women for Political Action, Traillionaires, and Collaborative Healing in Communities, highlighting a collaborative effort to address critical issues affecting Black and other marginalized communities and advocate for fair voting practices in Colorado.
IF YOU GO:
Event: Black History Month,
Our Legacy Live On panel
When: 6 p.m. Feb. 13
Where: The Clayton Hotel,
233 Clayton St.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjB-yFCd5ixDQL15imRpMASS7_Hc5ZzSd3HvnFJ34y9IalTw/viewform
From Cameroon to Colorado: Chocolate tasting and talk
Patrick and Mara Tchenuou, the husband-and-wife duo behind Bibamba Artisan Chocolate, will share their journey of love, culture, and chocolate with the community. Guests will enjoy a guided five-piece tasting of their Cameroonian-sourced chocolate while learning about the mission of their business and its connection to Colorado. The event will feature a Q&A moderated by Rachel Waugh from the Museum of Food and Culture, and attendees will receive a gift bag from Bibamba Artisan Chocolate — just in time for Valentine’s Day.
IF YOU GO:
When: 6:30 – 8 p.m. Feb. 6
Where: History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway
Rosenberry Lecture: Hattie McDaniel: A reflective life
Actress, singer-songwriter, and Colorado Women’s Hall of Famer Hattie McDaniel was the first African American to win an Oscar for her role in 1939’s “Gone with the Wind”. A trailblazer in every sense of the word, McDaniel left an undeniable legacy through her work, including receiving two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and being credited as the first Black artist to sing on radio. Join McDaniel’s great-grandnephew, filmmaker Kevin John Goff, as he discusses new scholarship and personal family stories that shed light on her historic Oscar win and bring a fresh perspective to a history many know, but not many know well.
IF YOU GO:
When: 1 and 7 p.m. Feb. 19
Where: History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver
Tickets $5 – $15
Parson’s Theatre honors Black History Month with music, dance and storytelling
The Parsons Theatre is celebrating Black History Month with a lineup of performances that celebrate the rich cultural contributions of Black artists. This February, audiences can enjoy the vibrant sounds of New Orleans jazz, a dynamic dance production showcasing untold stories of the Americas and a moving tribute to the legendary Queen of Soul.
The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra: A Night in New Orleans with Tatiana LadyMay Mayfield
The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra Ensemble brings the spirit of the Big Easy to Northglenn in A Night in New Orleans with Tatiana LadyMay Mayfield. This performance will transport audiences to the birthplace of jazz, celebrating one of America’s most iconic musical traditions. Soulful melodies, infectious rhythms, and top-tier musicianship as Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra pay homage to the city’s legendary jazz scene.
IF YOU GO:
When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21
Where: Parson’s Theatre,
1 E. Memorial Parkway Entrance
Tickets: Online at
NorthglennARTS.org or call the box office at (303)450-8888
DREAMCATCHERS:
The Untold Stories of
the Americas
An evocative and moving dance production, “DREAMCATCHERS: The Untold Stories of the Americas” brings to life narratives that have been overlooked or forgotten. Through powerful storytelling, music and dance, this production explores the resilience, struggles, and triumphs of Black and Indigenous communities throughout history.
IF YOU GO:
School Show: 10 a.m. Feb. 27
Public Show: 7:30 p.m. March 8
Where: Parson’s Theatre,
1 E. Memorial Parkway Entrance
Tickets: Online at
NorthglennARTS.org or call the box office at 303-450-8888
Portrait of Aretha Starring CeCe Teneal
Aretha Franklin taught us how to “Think” and demand “Respect” all while ridin’ on the “Freeway of Love!” InPORTRAIT OF ARETHA, CeCe Teneal honors the legacy of the Queen of Soul with personalized interpretations of both popular and niche songs from this 18-time Grammy Award-winning icon’s 50-year career.
IF YOU GO:
When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28
Where: Parson’s Theatre,
1 E. Memorial Parkway Entrance
Tickets: Online at
NorthglennARTS.org or call the box office at (303)450-8888
Celebrate Black History Month at the Denver Public Library offers a bevy of events across February
Genealogy Drop-In Help
Get help with your family history research and answer questions about the library’s genealogy databases and collections by dropping in for help using library tools to explore family history or genealogy questions.
When: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Feb. 13
Where: Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, 2401 Welton St.
Teen Open Mic
Celebrate Black History Month with an open mic shoutout to Black creators of all types, current and past. Light refreshments provided. Ideal for ages 13-19.
What: 3 – 4:30 p.m. Feb. 16
Where: Central Library, Floor 2, Teen Space, 10 W. 14 Ave.
Black People Know Things Trivia
Join the library for a robust in-person community event for Black people in Denver and elsewhere. Ideal for ages 18 and older.
When: 2-4 p.m. Feb. 15
Where: Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, 2401 Welton St.
Community Circle
A discussion-led event centering on the themes of elevation and education. Join the library for a facilitated conversation on personal growth, community activism and collective responsibility in a welcoming and respectful space. The capacity is 20 attendees, and the space opens 30 minutes early.
When: 6 – 7 p.m. Feb. 18
When: Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, 2401 Welton St.
Dearfield: Founding a Black
Colorado Town
Enjoy a multimedia presentation in honor of Black History Month and learn about Dearfield, the largest and most successful African American town in Colorado history, founded in 1910. Ideal for ages 15 and older.
When: 4 – 5 p.m. Feb. 19
Where: Ross-Cherry Creek, 305 Milwaukee St.
Teen Block Party
Join the library for a block party celebrating Black heritage in Denver with music, food, vendors, and a Black heritage gallery walk. Ideal for ages 13-18.
When: 3 – 5 p.m. Feb. 21
Where: Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, 2401 Welton St.
Black History Month Art
Exhibition Reception
Join the library for a reception honoring the Colorado artists featured in their Black History Month Art Exhibition, on display February-April.
When: 2 – 4 p.m. Feb. 22
Where: Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, 2401 Welton St.
Black Americans in the West
Learn more about Denver’s Black American West Museum, which highlights local stories and history spanning from the 1850s to the present day. Ideal for ages 13 and older.
When: 2 – 3 p.m. Feb. 22
Where: Park Hill, 705 Montview Blvd.
Skylark Reels: Abar
Join library patrons for a Kanopy screening of the recently restored blaxploitation superhero movie Abar: Black Superman (1977). Ideal for ages 21 and older.
6:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 25
Where: Skylark Lounge, 140 S. Broadway
Black History Live
Black History comes to life in this presentation as acclaimed scholars/actors portray significant historical figures like Louis Armstrong and speak about their lives and answer questions in character. All ages welcome. Limited accessible parking near the south entrance.
When: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Feb. 27
Where: Decker, 1501 S. Logan St.