West Michigan residents looking to honor and celebrate Black History Month have a series of various activities to partake in this year.
Black History Month honors the achievements and contributions of African Americans to the country every February. The list below has events commemorating Black history across the region, including discussions, artwork, films, workshops and more.
Related: 10 ways to celebrate Black History Month in Kalamazoo in 2025
Kent County
World of Winter Guided Walking Tour (Feb. 12)
From 6 to 7 p.m., join guide Caroline Cook for a walking tour of downtown Grand Rapids. The tour will explore the African American experience in the city from 1826 to today.
Offered three times throughout the World of Winter Festival, each tour follows the same route. Guests can expect powerful stories about African Americans’ rich history and contributions to Grand Rapids.
No RSVP is required. To begin the tour, attendees are asked to arrive at Rosa Parks Circle (in front of the Grand Rapids Art Museum’s Main entrance) at 6 p.m.
Grand Rapids Public Library
- Tracing the Steps: African American Women During the Progressive Era in Grand Rapids (Tuesday, Feb. 18, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.) - Join Sophia Brewer, an academic librarian at Grand Rapids Community College, as she delves into her research on early African American women’s clubs and the women who led these organizations right in Grand Rapids.
- Black History Live with Culture Queen (Feb. 22, 11 a.m. to noon) - An immersive and engaging performance designed for children ages 6-13 that combines original and interactive music, movement and storytelling to help them embrace their history and love themselves.
- Black History Month Storytimes (Feb. 3 to Feb. 7) - Join all GRPL branches at various times for a series of story times during Black History Month that will highlight Black stories. Featured activities include songs, fingerplays, a unique art activity and playtime. Click here for the full schedule.
Grand Rapids Public Museum (Feb.1)
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) kicks off Black History Month celebrations this weekend with “Innovators: Celebrating Black History.”
This one-day program will take place on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 272 Pearl St. NW and showcases innovative Black-led initiatives impacting local, national, and global communities.
Visitors will also explore historically significant artifacts invented by Black leaders. Community partners will also share information, prototypes, products, creations, ideas, and more.
Guests may also experience the temporary display “Booker T. Washington Visits Grand Rapids in the Streets of Old Grand Rapids.” This display features magic lantern slides featuring 69 photographs of the Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University. Through February, these rare slides and period photography equipment will be displayed in the “Streets of Old Grand Rapids” inside the central window of the Voigt Herpolsheimer Co. section.
The museum will again partner with Warner Norcross + Judd LLP and Grand Rapids Public Schools to showcase entries from their Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Legacy Contest. Open to all sixth-grade GRPS scholars, entries from various GRPS schools will be displayed on the museum’s first floor near the “A is for Autos” exhibit.
Admission tickets are available at tickets.grpm.org.
Grand Rapids Symphony (Feb. 15, 8 p.m.)
Enjoy a phenomenal concert by the Grand Rapids Symphony and T.I. for its Symphony with Soul event on Feb. 15 at DeVos Performance Hall.
The annual Black History Month concert also features the Celebration of Soul Gala, which includes a special dinner honoring local individuals and organizations for their ongoing diversity efforts, and an after-party.
Tickets start at $63 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.
Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation
- All Black & Excellent: Soul In The City (Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m.) - This immersive live event and fundraiser in partnership with Village99 at 1530 Madison Ave. SE is designed to draw locals into a night of tap dance, Black history, arts, and community. It will be headlined by tap master Brinae Ali and feature a live band, a DJ, hip-hop performers, delicious catered food from local restaurants, a cash bar, and dancing. The dress code is “dress to impress.” Tickets range from $75-$275 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
- “I Belong Strong” Mental Health Forum (Feb. 17, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.): Join the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI) and the Greater Grand Rapids NAACP at 1530 Madison Ave. to support Black veterans. The forum will include a panel discussion on mental health, a roundtable, and a complimentary breakfast.
- Black History Month Celebration and Conversations: Panel Discussion and Art Show (Feb. 22, 3 to 6:30 p.m.— Join A Glimpse of Africa for day two of the GR Center for Community Transformation’s Black History Month Celebration Weekend. Learn more about Black history and join a panel discussion on bridging the gap between Black immigrants and the African American community. Additionally, the Asamu Band will perform a blues musical, an art display will be on display, African food will be available, and local vendors will be on hand.
Grand Valley State University
- The Blackout: Black Student Organization Showcase (Feb. 7, 6 to 8 p.m.) - This is an opportunity for students and staff to engage with Black and Afro-led registered student organizations to learn how they can get involved and support. This year’s event, located in the Kirkhof Center Lobby, falls on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. GVSU will be offering free testing for students at the event.
- Black Historical Living Museum (Feb. 11, 6 to 9 p.m.) - The GVSU National Pan-Hellenic Council presents the free event in the Kirkhof Center Grand River Room.
- Taste of Soul (Feb. 19, 2 to 4 p.m.): Join the Kirkhof Center Lounge to experience the deep Southern, African-American soul food tradition. This style of cooking originated when enslaved African Americans were given leftover scraps. Using the available items, they created a variety of wholesome dishes.
- Black Business Pop-Up (Feb. 26, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.): This free event is presented by the Black Excellence 365 program and the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation in the Kirkhof Center Lounge.
Woodland Mall (Feb. 22, 11 a.m.)
The city of Kentwood will host a Unity Walk in honor of Black History Month. At 11 a.m., participants will walk from Von Maur to the food court and end in front of Von Maur.
Following the walk, a ceremony will feature a welcome address from Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley with live music. Light refreshments will be provided.
At 1 p.m., the Live African American Museum will be present throughout the mall, with 25 performances on Black historical figures.
Related: Celebrate Black History Month with these Jackson County events
Ottawa County
Holland Museum (Feb. 10)
Celebrate Black History Month with the Holland Museum during this free, family event. The event will highlight extraordinary Black inventors and the inventions that changed the world.
The Holland Museum is open the second Monday of every month from 4 to 7 p.m. with free admission for all visitors sponsored by The Meijer Foundation.
Hope College
- Chapel: Shomari Tate-Black History Month - (Feb. 26, 10:30 to 11 a.m.) - Dimnent Memorial Chapel, 277 College Ave.
- Black History Month Lecture with Kevin McGruder (Feb. 27, 3:30 p.m.) - The free lecture takes place in the Bultman Schapp Auditorium, 140 E 12th St. McGruder is an author and associate professor of history at Antioch College.
Muskegon County
Hackley Public Library
- Open Mic Night (Feb. 3, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.) - The duo Gemini DaPoet and Kaizen Kabir will host this meaningful night of sharing as the library embraces the talents of its local communities. The event is free, but online registration is preferred.
- BHM Mac & Cheese Contest (Feb. 8, 2 to 3 p.m.) - All ages are welcome to test their skills and see if their macaroni and cheese dish has what it takes to win first place. Bring enough for the judges and attendees to have a small taste. Audience attendees are welcome to come and watch the contest unfold. The event is free, but online registration is required.
- Sweet Soul Food Dessert Contest (Feb. 8, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.) - All ages are welcome to get their recipes out, find your best soul food dessert and compete for the best in the city at this free event. Bring enough for attendees, plus the judge, to taste. Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place contestants in the adult category and the 1st place winner in the children’s/teen’s category. Online registration is required.
- African American Migrants to Michigan (Feb. 15, 1 to 2 p.m.)—Presented by Farmington Hills Society President Rozlyn Kelly, this program will discuss the migration of Black Americans to Michigan in the mid-1880s before the Great Migration from the South. Specific examples will be provided from Marquette, Midland, and Detroit. Additionally, Rozlyn will try to include an example from the Muskegon geographic area. Online registration is required.
- All Ages Motown Karaoke (Feb. 22, 2 to 4 p.m.) - Join HPL for an all-ages afternoon, where guests will enjoy a casual Karaoke session of Motown classics and fun songs. Online registration is required for the free event.
- Black Hair Care Clinic (Feb. 24, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.) - Presented by expert Nietra Hood, discover helpful tips and tricks to beautiful and healthy Black hair. The event is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring questions to this fun and casual program.
- Black Women in Jazz (Feb. 25, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.) - Enjoy a presentation on influential jazz singers and music performed by the talented Edye and Mike. Click here to register for the free event.
Frauenthal Center (Feb. 23, 3 p.m.)
All are welcome to a fun family experience at the historic Frauenthal Theater. Free movies will be paired with unique events and signature snacks.
This time, “The Color Purple” will be offered. It’s a popular musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel about the life-long struggles of an African American woman living in the South during the early 1900s.
The event is free, and no tickets are required.
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