Black History Month began over 100 years ago when Carter G. Woodson laid the foundations of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Woodson’s efforts to make Black history a serious field of study have resulted in a celebration of Black history around the country.
Black history surrounds us in Colorado Springs, not just at a national level. Failing to understand the impact Black history has had on our community is failing to understand the context in which our society exists, and there are many options for engaging with Black history near UCCS this February.
Take a museum tour
The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum features the Black history of the Pikes Peak region in many of its permanent exhibits. The museum is also hosting Black History Month-specific events, including tours, programming and digital resources. Admission to the museum is free, and their hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Every Saturday, the museum offers a free guided tour to walk participants through Colorado Springs’ Black history. For those who can’t make it to a guided tour, a self-guided Black Entrepreneurs tour is available on the website. On Feb. 8, there is a living history portrayal of Harriet Tubman.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum also offers specialty tours for Black History Month every day in February at noon. These tours will highlight Black athletes who broke barriers and shaped the legacy of Team USA. Tour tickets cost $34.95 for students and $39.95 for general admission.
Connect through the arts
The Independent Film Society of Colorado will host two screenings of “Dusty and Stones” at the Cottonwood Center of the Arts on Feb. 7 at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The film follows two country singers who leave the African kingdom of Swaziland to record their songs in Nashville and ultimately compete in a huge battle of the bands in Texas.
After the 6:30 p.m. screening, there will be an exclusive Q&A with the filmmaker and producer over Zoom. Tickets cost $9.43 online and $10 at the door.
ICONS will present “Queer Renaissance: A Celebration of Black Voices” on Feb. 12. The event will feature performances by Zachary Janzen, Cheerish Martin, UCCS alumna Tiana Longmire, Leo Nova-Wolfe and more. ICONS’ intent behind the event is to champion the incredible contributions of Black and Brown artists who shape culture and community. Tickets are $20, and those 21 and under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
The Fine Arts Center is hosting Alisa Banks’ gallery “Unerased” from Feb. 7 to Sept. 6. Banks links contemporary culture with her Louisiana Creole heritage and the African diaspora through her multi-medium work. Her art challenges the erasure of Black American history. Tickets are free for students and $10 for general admission.
Financially supporting Black-owned businesses
According to the Center for American Progress, supporting Black-owned businesses challenges systemic economic inequality. The member directory of the Colorado Springs Black Chamber of Commerce has a list of local Black-owned businesses to support.
The Colorado Springs Black Chamber of Commerce focuses on helping Black professionals connect with the resources they need to help their businesses and ventures thrive. Engaging in Black History Month is not only about education; it is about implementing that education into changing habits.
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum is offering tours that highlight Black athletes. Photo by Josiah Dolan.