Great Ways to Celebrate Black History Month in Huntsville with Kids
It’s Black History Month, and the perfect time to celebrate the often overlooked achievements of Black Americans throughout history. Black history is American history and an essential part of our country’s story and future. February is the perfect time to talk to children not only about the achievements and triumphs, but the obstacles and roadblocks that Black Americans have faced and continue to face today. We’ve rounded up some helpful resources, books, and local events to help get those important conversations started.
“Talking Gets Us There” – Things to Watch During Black History Month
The first step is talking about it! Kids can change the world, but first they have to be invited to the conversation. Inaugural Poet Amanda Gorman caught up with PBS Kids in this video to share her poem “Talking Gets Us There”. In it, Gorman shares how talking and using your voice can bring about change. PBS Kids has lots more amazing 2023 Black History Month resources for kids ages 2-8.
“It’s normal to notice what makes us different
Because what makes us different is
What makes each of us so special.”
– Amanda Gorman, Inaugural Poet
Other Things to Watch during Black History Month
The Breathtaking Courage of Harriet Tubman by TED-Ed
Fun Facts about Dr. Mae C. Jemison by Educational Videos for Students
Ruby Bridges Biography by Homeschool Pop
The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Kid President
Expand Horizons with these Books About Black History
Reading books with diverse characters and stories can not only help build empathy in children, but expose them to ideas that may differ from their own. According to DiverseBooks.org, “It’s important that marginalized children aren’t the only ones reading and being exposed to diverse books, nor are their lives the only ones that will be enriched by reading them. Reading books that represent different abilities, cultures, beliefs, and skin colors help us change our attitude toward those differences.”
We’ve rounded up 10 books that explore the lives of fictional and real Black Americans and share their stories of overcoming the barriers.
Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine
Rosa by Nikki Giovanni
The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins by Carole Boston Weatherford
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford
Seeds of Freedom: The Peaceful Integration of Huntsville, AL by Hester Bass
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges
Texting with Black History: Martin Luther King Jr., Sojourner Truth and Aretha Franklin Biography Book for Kids By Bobby Basil
Black Women in Science: A Black History Book for Kids by PhD Pellum, Kimberly Brown
Celebrate Black History at these Local Events
Engage in Black Identity at the Huntsville Museum of Art
Each year the Huntsville Museum of Art hosts an exhibition as part of Black History Month. In Looking at the Collection: African American Art and Artists, a collection of works created by African American artists, complemented by selected works depicting African American subjects created by non-black artists. The selection features regionally and nationally acclaimed artists working in a variety of media, including Benny Andrews, Elizabeth Catlett, Luigi Lucioni, Althea Murphy-Price, Clifton Pearson, Renee Stout, and Mose Tolliver, among others. Organized by HMA Black History Month Committee.
In addition to seeing the exhibit, families with older children/teens can join the artist for a docent led tours on February 2 and February 26. The exhibit runs through February 26 and is included with a membership or general admission.
Midwest Invitational Black Rodeo
Date: February 4, 2023 | 1 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Location: Alabama a & M Univ Agribition, Huntsville, AL (Map)
Cost: Starting at $15
More Info
Full scale professional rodeo, all the excitement of bull riding, tie down calf roping, Ladies barrel racing, Junior barrel races and Junior breakaway ropers. Local Relay teams getting will be competing against the clock and our cowboys. Fast, Fun, Busy, Exciting.
“How to Entertain, Educate, and Enlighten”
Date: February 16, 2023 | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Location: Alabama Center for the Arts – Recital Hall (Map)
Cost: FREE
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“Music of the Movement”
Date: February 16, 2023 | 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Alabama Center for the Arts – Recital Hall (Map)
Cost: FREE
More Info
An interactive program that explores & explains the music that shaped the Civil Rights Era. Participants will find the meaning behind the music and compare and contrast the major figures, documents, and events of the day to better understand the political and cultural messages. Students will sample popular music, R&B, folk music, gospel, and the Spiritual, music that fueled the movement. Participants will be introduced to artists like Sam Cooke, James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye and Gil Scott Heron, Joan Baez and Peter, Paul, Mary.
The Underground Railroad: Journey to Freedom
Date: February 18, 2023 | 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Burritt on the Mountain (Map)
Cost: Included with admission ($8 – $12), FREE for members
More Info
Families will enjoy learning the history of the Underground Railroad, immersing themselves in the stories of some of the secret journeys, and hear how the stories themselves were passed on. Visitors will experience an interactive trip through the Historic Park and put themselves in the shoes of one of the brave individuals who resisted slavery. The activities include the history of African American education and how communities persevered to learn and grow, while exploring the Rosenwald School. Kids can enjoy crafts inspired by the incredible journeys and folk arts of Black Alabamians.
Schedule of Events
10:00 – Underground Railroad History and Stories
11:00 – Interactive Underground Railroad Tour
12:30 – Black Education and the Rosenwald Schools
1:30 – Underground Railroad History and Stories
2:30 – Interactive Underground Railroad Tour
Crafts are ongoing throughout the day.
Drive through history with a Huntsville Civil Rights Tour
Rocket City Civil Rights has put together a driving tour that highlights some of the major sites for the Civil Rights movement in Huntsville. The self-guided tour takes your through over 15 sites with historical background and information about each location. The tour includes Huntsville’s segregated movie theaters, sit-in locations and more. Each site has a brief description with additional information.
Learn about notable Black Huntsvillians
The Huntsville Madison County Public Library has an amazing digital archive collection, and they’re putting together some wonderful Hometown History videos on their YouTube channel. Here are the stories of eight educators that led notable careers in Huntsville and Madison County.
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