There are so many great activities, performances, and ways to engage for Black History Month in the Bay Area. We have created a list of our top picks for you to peruse. Many are free or low cost and these all seem so interesting!

Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Originally scheduled as an in-person performance at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, the South African a cappella ensemble is set to present a live-streamed concert from the eWushini Arts Centre in Durban, South Africa.

Saturday, February 13th at 5 PM
More information and to purchase tickets at this link.

African Roots and Rhythms with Unique Derique
The Bay Area’s Unique Derique shares the art of hambone body percussion and discusses its evolution in America through a presentation and performance suitable for all ages. This creative experience inspires participants to learn playful rhythms and to express their own Hambone musical styles!

Saturday, February 20th at 3 PM. There is no cost to attend this event.
More information and registration on the Oakland Library website.

Tomika Iyalla the Nigerian Queen Presents: Afro Groove
Learn some African dance moves from various parts of the continent in an outdoor, distanced class setting. Release stress and have fun with music and movement. Wear a mask. COVID safety measures will be in place.

Saturday, February 27th
3261 Martin Luther King Junior Way, Oakland
For more information and to purchase tickets visit Eventbrite.

Coalition of Black Excellence Week Summit ’21: Thrive Together
An annual Black History Month event focused on creating more systemic support within the Black community, bringing together professionals, business owners, and nonprofits dedicated to the community. Featuring keynote speakers and panels with Fortune 500 members, government officials, activists, health professionals, and entrepreneurs—this virtual event seeks to help amplify collective impact, and support goals in diversity recruitment, retention and philanthropy.

Wednesday through Saturday, February 24th through 27th.
For more information and to register visit the Coalition of Black Excellence website.

Storytime Science for Kids Online: The Color Episode
Join the Exploratorium for a story session, followed by an art activity geared toward younger children. Children’s educational outreach program director Vivian Altmann plans to read “Black Is a Rainbow Color,” written by Angela Joy and illustrated by Ekua Holmes.

Wednesday, February 24th at 1 PM. There is no cost to stream this event.
Available to stream on the Exploratorium YouTube and Facebook channels.

More Than a Month: Children’s Author Lineup at the S.F. Library
Authors discuss their writings and the ageless power of children’s literature to transform our understanding of the world at the SF Public Library. These events are part of the San Francisco Public Library’s robust “More Than a Month” Black History month programming which is available to stream on the SF Library’s YouTube Channel for free.

Torrey Maldonado Wednesday, February 24th at 4 PM
Elizabeth Acevedo with Mahogany L. Browne Thursday, February 25th at 2 PM
Jason Reynolds, author of National Book Award finalist Ghost and Newbery Honor award-winning Long Way Down.
Wednesday, February 24th at 5 PM. Register on Zoom.

AfroFuturism: S.F. Poet Laureate Monthly Poem Jam (Also at the SF Public Library)
San Francisco Poet Laureate Kim Shuck, Kim McMullin and special guests present an evening of poetry reading in celebration of African American literature, featuring Ishmael Reed, Staajabu, Devorah Major, Tureeda Mikell, Avotcja and Dr. Glenn Parris.

Available to stream on San Francisco Public Library’s YouTube channel. Free.

Black Laughs Matter: Online Comedy Show
Join in for a weekly online comedy show live from San Francisco. Hosted by comedian/actor Terry Dorsey, there’s a different lineup each week featuring top black comics from the Bay Area and guest comics from across the county.

Saturdays at 8 PM. Free with a $10-$20 suggested donation. RSVP online to receive a Zoom link to the performance.

Oakland Symphony Chorus Virtual Performance
Enjoy an archived performance of the Oakland Symphony’s “Mass for Freedom” by Michael T. Roberts, recorded live from Oakland’s First Congregational Church in April 2019.

Available to stream on the Oakland symphony website. Free.

And, if you want to check out a more complete listing, the SF Chronicle’s Datebook has a great article.