By Donald Gilpin

Black History Month began as a tradition of Black teachers in the segregated South in the 19th and early 20th century commemorating important people and events in Black history during the week of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (February 12) and Frederick Douglass’ birthday (February 14).

Almost 100 years ago in 1926, Black History Week was created when African American historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced that the second week of February would be recognized as “Negro History Week.”

In February 1970 Black History Week expanded to become a full month at the urging of Black United Students at Kent State University, and in 1976 President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month during the celebration of the U.S. Bicentennial. He urged all Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

Many events of all kinds are on the schedule in Princeton and the surrounding area this February to honor Black History Month and the accomplishments of Black Americans.

The launch of a new book of poetry of the Witherspoon-Jackson community, Reflections of a Vibrant Past: Poetry of the Witherspoon-Jackson Neighborhood, will take place at the Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) Paul Robeson Center for the Arts on Sunday, February 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. The free event will feature readings by the book’s author, the Rev. Gregory Smith, as well as light refreshments, a book signing, and conversation.

Sponsored by the Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society and the ACP, the reading and book signing will also spotlight The Witherspoon-Jackson Neighborhood, a new book by ACP Executive Director Adam Welch, presenting a brief socio-political history in the spirit of a “zine.”

Smith’s poetry book is “dedicated to the countless individuals who have graced the Witherspoon-Jackson community and shared their lives, breath, and souls with us all.” Within the poetry collection Smith presents many members of the

community and notes their impact on the culture, education, and leadership of that community. Visit artscouncilofprinceton.org/events/reflections-vibrant-past/ for further information.

Programs focusing on Black culture, history, and experience will be taking place throughout the month of February at the Princeton Public Library (PPL).

On Sunday, February 2 at 11:30 a.m., jazz guitarist Marel Hidalgo and his band will present “Sounds of the African Diaspora,” featuring jazz, blues, claps, reggae jazz, mento,and Brazilian and Afro-Latin rhythms at a jazz brunch event in the PPL Community Room.

On Monday, February 3 at 7 p.m., historical reenactor and educator Ivey Avery will present “Harriet Tubman: Follow the Freedom Star,” on the life and times of Harriet Tubman.

Tuesday, February 4, 18, and 25 and Friday February 14, all at 10 a.m., story times will take place celebrating Black History Month, with readings by African American community leaders followed by arts and crafts activities, presented in partnership with Princeton Nursery School and the Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society.

On Saturday, February 8 at 3 p.m. the Trenton Children’s Chorus and Trenton Music Makers Chamber Orchestra, the performance groups of Capitol Harmony Works, will present “A Black History Month Celebration: Songs of Hope, Unity, and Courage” in the PPL Community Room.

On Douglass Day, Friday, February 14, celebrating the birthday of Frederick Douglass, from 12 to 3 p.m., community members are invited to participate in a “transcribe-a-thon” of documents from the Library of Congress African American Perspectives Collection in the PPL Community Room and also at the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum’s (SSAAM) Reasoner-True House, 183 Hollow Road in Skillman.

Also part of Black History Month at PPL is “Art of the Witness Stones Project,” an exhibit of artwork by students from Timberlake Middle School in Pennington on view in the Reading Room through February 28. Visit princetonlibrary.org for further information.

On February 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the James Stewart Film Theater at 185 Nassau Street, the Princeton University Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Visual Arts in collaboration with the Thomas Edison Media Arts Consortium will present a film screening and panel discussion in honor of Black History Month. “Themes and Journeys of Artists and Filmmakers in New Jersey” will include a premiere screening of three award-winning films produced, directed, and/or performed by the five panelists: writer/director Seyi Peter-Thomas, poet Cortney Lamar Charleston, filmmaker and Princeton professor Moon Molson, Emmy Award-wining filmmaker Yuri Alves, and artist Bimpe Fageyinbo, moderated by the Thomas Edison Film Festival director Jane Steuerwald. Visit arts.princeton.edu for further information.

On Monday, February 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Princeton Middle School, the Paul Robeson House of Princeton (PRHP) will present “Powerful Texts That Change Us,” its annual teach-in and curriculum exchange, free and open to the public. Participants are invited to “explore the transformative power of words through poems, song lyrics, sermons, speeches, and writings that have shaped history and inspired change,” the PRHP states. “Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in rich dialogue, discover meaningful resources, and connect with a community committed to education and social change.” Visit thepaulrobesonhouseofprinceton.org for further information.

On February 27 the Princeton Battlefield Society and Morven Museum and Garden will host a lecture at 6:30 p.m. at Morven by local author and historian John Rees on the role Black soldiers played at the Battle of Princeton and elsewhere in the American Revolution. For further information, visit pbs1777.org.

The SSAAM is offering a series of events including live theatrical performances, a birthday celebration for Frederick Douglass, and a student art and history exhibit. A live performance of “Meet Hannah Till” with educator and reenactor Leslie Bramlett will take place at the Mt. Zion AME Church, 189 Hollow Road in Skillman on February 7 at 7 p.m., and Bramlett will also be present in costume as Hannah Till, George Washington’s personal cook, on February 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. during an interactive museum open house day.

On Douglass Day, February 14, in addition to the transcribe-a-thon listed above, docents will provide tours of the museum and special exhibits at the Mt. Zion AME Church.

Other Black History Month events taking place in the area include an exhibit on “Artifacts of African Diaspora” at Mercer County Community College’s James Kerney Campus on Broad Street in Trenton from February 1 through April 30.

There are two events at the William Trent House Museum at 15 Market Street in Trenton: “Escaping From Enslavement by Water — The Other Underground Railroad,” a Zoom lecture by history professor Timothy Walker on February 9 at 2 p.m. and “Four Centuries of African American Soldiers” on February 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the museum, a drop-in living history program including military artifacts, reenactors, and military veterans sharing their own personal stories.

There will be three workshops with Raven George at Artworks, 19 Everett Alley in Trenton: “Silhouette Creations” inspired by Kara Walker on February 7, 6-9 p.m., “A Love Supreme,” inspired by Black poetry and music on February 14, 6-9 p.m., and “Afrofuturism Creative Workshop on February 28, 6-9 p.m.

For more information on “Artifacts of African Diaspora” visit mccc.edu/jkcgallery; for Trent House events, visit williamtrenthouse.org; and for Artworks events, visit artworkstrenton.org.