By Anne Levin

Ever since Carter G. Woodson inaugurated Negro History Week nearly a century ago, the annual observance has had a theme. Among the first in 1928 was “Civilization: A World Achievement,” followed a year later by “Possibility of Putting Negro History in the Curriculum,” and “Significant Achievements of the Negro” two years on.

Negro History Week became Black History Month in 1976 when it was officially expanded and renamed by Congress. This year’s theme, “Black Resistance,” marking the national community’s efforts to counter ongoing oppression and racial terrorism, seems especially pertinent.

As Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes wrote in a newsletter this week, “Every February, Mercer County joins the nation in celebrating Black History Month. This year, however, the celebration feels somber in the wake of yet another case of deadly over-policing, this time in the City of Memphis where Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old father, became the latest Black man in a horrific line of abuse. Mr. Nichols’ death is a glaring reminder that efforts to reform policing have a long way to go. As we together peacefully protest this latest incident, let it spark broader conversations about the need for police reform, without losing sight of the important work done by police professionals in our communities.”

Numerous observances are planned throughout Mercer County and the surrounding area throughout the month. In Princeton, Morven Museum is offering an online exhibition, “Slavery at Morven,” highlighting the history of slavery at the historic house-turned-museum. “By not shying away from our story of enslaved people, we believe our visitors will have a better understanding of how our world evolved to where we are today,” reads a release. “Research into the men, women, and children enslaved by the Stocktons [original owners of the house] at Morven is ongoing, and this site will be updated as new information is discovered. Visit morven.org/slavery-at-morven to view the exhibition.

The Women’s College Club of Princeton will host local historian Shirley Satterfield on Monday, February 20 at 1 p.m. at Morven’s Education Center, 55 Stockton Street. Satterfield, the founder of the Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society, has titled her talk “The Other Side of King’s Highway.” Admission is free and open to the public. Visit wccpnj.org.

A virtual performance of Meet Harriet Tubman, with Daisy Century of American Historical Theatre portraying the abolitionist, is presented via Zoom on Tuesday, February 7 at 6 p.m. by the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum. Century considers Tubman her role model, “someone who found freedom herself and fought to bring it to others,” reads a release from the museum. “The brave Underground Railroad conductor who rescued more than 70 enslaved people once said, ‘I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger.’” To register for the free event, visit ssaamuseum.org/tubman.

Then there is Harriet Tubman: Live, at the Old A.M.E. Church of Yardley, Pa., 188 South Canal Street, on Saturday, February 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. Shirley Lee Corsey plays Tubman in this reenactment performance. Tickets are $20 and reservations are required. Visit gatherplace.org.

Mercer County Community College is offering several events throughout the month, open to the public. Most are at the West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road; one is scheduled for the James Kerney campus, 102 North Broad Street, Trenton.

“Black History Month is a time to honor and recognize the contributions of African Americans in our local communities and in our country,” said Marvin Carter, the college’s director of diversity, equity, and inclusion. “Yes, progress has been made, but more still needs to be done. In this moment, we say ‘thank you’ to those on whose shoulders we stand today, and ‘we are not done’ to those who will follow in our footsteps.”

The film Get Out, followed by a “film and chat” session, will be held in room CM 108 on the West Windsor campus on Thursday, February 2 at 3 p.m. Additional “film and chat” events, each held from 3 to 5 p.m., are scheduled. On Thursday, February 9, Fruitvale Station tells the story of the death of Oscar Grant in Oakland, Calif. The Hate You Give, about a young Black woman confronting racism in her community after a tragic police shooting, is screened on Thursday, February 16; and Judas and the Black Messiah, on the life of Fred Hampton of the Illinois Black Panther Party, is Thursday, February 23.

A “melanin market” with BIPOC (Black, indigenous, and people of color) entrepreneurs from across the country takes place Saturday, February 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the downtown Trenton campus. On Wednesday, February 8 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Black History Month Trivia will be held in the Student Center in West Windsor.

Kelsey Theatre on the West Windsor campus hosts a “Generational Wealth Summit” Saturday, February 11 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Homebuyer and financial literary sessions will be followed by two presentations of The Maggie Walker Story, a play about the first Black female bank owner, at 1 and 4 p.m. The Student Center cafeteria hosts “Before the Glory: Stories of Overcoming Adversity for the Win,” with three former major league baseball players sharing their stories, on Monday, February 20 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Closing ceremonies are Tuesday, February 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Student Center cafeteria, featuring New Jersey activist Zellie Thomas speaking about the impact of advocacy and activism in the Black community. This talk is also available via Zoom. For information on all events, visit mccc.edu.

At the Dupree Gallery, 10 North Union Street in Lambertville, “Our His-story Month” runs February 3-26, with an opening reception scheduled for February 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. The exhibit showcases the importance of Black voices in the art world, institutions, and society as a whole. Artists include Barbara Bullock, Kenny White, Michael A. Wallace, Don Stephens, Preston Philmore, and several others.