Black History Month Events in the Kansas City Area

Black history month was started as a way to recognize the tremendous contributions made by the African American community on the course of history. Each February, the month designated as black history month, special lectures and events are organized to remind us of those contributions. Here are some noteworthy upcoming black history month events in the Kansas City area.

Black History Month Event #1: "Dime on the Vine," a celebration of black film in Kansas City's historic jazz district The American Jazz Museum in the Historic 18th and Vine district in Kansas City is a true testament to the African American influence on music in this country. In addition to the interactive exhibits that change four times each year and are inspired by jazz, baseball and African American life, the American Jazz Museum has a working jazz club (The Blue Room) and the Gem Theater, a 500-seat performing arts venue that hosts jazz concerts, theater productions and community events. In honor of black history month this year, the American Jazz Museum is sponsoring a film series called "Dime on the Vine" every Sunday at 2 and 4 p.m. When the Gem Theater originally opened in 1913, cost for admission was 10 cents, as it will be for the film series showcasing black films during black history month. For 10 cents, come see such classic films as "Carmen," "Stormy Weather" and "Watermelon Man." The double feature includes a "new school" black film as well, such as "Love Jones" and "Piano Blues." Come experience true African American culture during black history month in the birthplace of American Jazz, Kansas City.

Black History Month Event #2: "The Meeting," a theater production at Park University "The Meeting," a theater production brought to Park University from New-York based Grimes Theater Group, imagines what would happen during a fictional meeting between civil rights leaders Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Set in a Harlem hotel room in 1965, this production imagines a conversation between these two devout leaders who had completely different ideas as to how to achieve racial equality. King advocated non-violent protest, while Malcolm X believed in self defense through any means necessary. The play examines both the public and private lives of the two men. Within the following week after the time of the play, Malcolm X will be assassinated. King will also lose his life in the next three years. Both men became martyrs of the cause for racial equality and freedom. During black history month and just weeks following Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. day, come see what a meeting between these two courageous leaders might have been like. The event is Monday, February 12 at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Black History Month Event #3: Spencer Cave Black History Month lecture series at Park University Each year during black history month, Park University sponsors a series of lectures in honor of Spencer Cave, a former employee of the university who served the Parkville campus for decades. This year, three lectures from visiting professors have been scheduled, beginning with "The African American Experience in American Religion" on February 5 by Dr. Jon Butler from Yale University. The lecture series continues on Feb. 15 with "Eliminating Millions of Voters: Disfranchisement in the South Around 1900" by Dr. Michael Perman from the University of Illinois at Chicago. The series concludes on Feb. 20 when Dr. Laura Edwards from Duke University presents a lecture called "Women in the Civil War South." All lectures begin at 7 p.m. and book signings follow.